HBCU Night at Great American Ball Park
The Cincinnati Reds' first HBCU Night at the Ballpark will be hosted at Great American Ball Park on Saturday, August 31 at 7:15 p.m. The Reds will be matching up with the Milwaukee Brewers for an exciting NL Central Division game.
HBCU Night will be filled with so many incredible activations before and throughout the game, with the night ending with an Ohio Lottery Post-Game Concert featuring DIESEL aka SHAQ!
The top 3 selling HBCU alumni chapters will be granted special on-field activations before the game. This means that you all get to decide which HBCU is granted the National Anthem, throws the First Pitch or serves as the Honorary Captain of the game. 1 Ticket = 1 Vote. The final tally will be taken by July 31 EOD to provide adequate time for the winning HBCUs to prepare for their dedicated activation. Additionally, a dollar amount of each ticket sold will be donated to the opted-in local HBCU alumni chapters and the Cincinnati Chapter of Black Sports Professionals
HBCU Organizations
Black Sports Professionals (BSP Cincy)
Central State University
Fisk University
Florida A&M University (FAMU)
Hampton University
Jackson State University
Kentucky State University
Morehouse College
North Carolina A&T State University (NCATSU)
Southern University
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff (UAPB)
Wilberforce University
Fan Zone Pregame Mixer: Great American Ball Park Fan Zone: 2-5:15 p.m.
Vendor and Information Tables: 2-4:15 p.m.
Enjoy mixing and mingling with HBCU and Greek Letter Organizations (D9 & Band), information tables, supporting black-owned and HBCU alumni- owned vendors live HBCU band performance, sounds from DJ Prymtime and more!
Panel Discussion: 2-3 p.m.
This prestigious panel will include player alumni, as well as HBCU alumni in media, education and corporate America. We will discuss the significance of HBCUs as it relates to baseball and business. There will also be dialogue surrounded around effective community engagement. In addition to some of the HBCUs listed above, there will be alumni from Savannah State University, Howard University and Florida International University represented in the discussion.
Panelists To Be Announced
D9 and Band Greek Stroll Competition: 4:15-5:15 p.m.
The Greek Letter Organizations will kick off with a Unity Stroll, then each fraternity and sorority will showcase their stroll.
The winners of the Fan Zone stroll competition will earn opportunities to participate in the in-game activities on the jumbotron.
All Gates Open: Live Music in the Fan Zone: 5:45 p.m.
Though the Fan Zone Mixer will be wrapped up, be sure to hang around the Fan Zone for more local entertainment!
Pregame Activations: 6:30 p.m.
On-Field Ceremony: All opted-in universities will have a representative or community advocate honored on field in a ceremony. We will also have a tribute to our Player Alumni and RBI graduates who attended HBCUs.
Competition: The top 3 schools with the most tickets sold by July 31st will have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem, throw the First Pitch or serve as the Honorary Captain of the game.
Game: Reds vs Brewers: 7:15 p.m.
In Game Activations: The winners of the stroll competition will earn opportunities to participate in the in-game activities on the jumbotron
Post Game HBCU Tribute and Concert: Diesel aka Shaq
Tribute
Once the game has ended, enjoy a special tribute to HBCUs, ending with a wonderful rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Post Game Concert
As part of the Ohio Lottery Reds Post-Game Concert Series DIESEL aka SHAQ will be performing a LIVE concert from the field! Everyone with a ticket to the Reds game will have the chance to enjoy the beats from DIESEL aka SHAQ!