On March 30, 2019, the second annual HBCU (Historically Black College and University) Rugby Classic and Music Festival will kick off its second year.
The HBCU Rugby Classic is split into two parts. The first half of the event will feature music and vendors from the region. Performances from artists like: Michael Armstead, Young Gage, Kelesha Brown Boudreaux, Jamal Steele, Moose Harris, Vitamin Cea, Dexter Nicholas, Yung Jewelz, and more. The second half of the event will present high school boys and girls rugby teams, led by event partner, Memphis Inner City Rugby (memphisinnercityrugby.org), and the New Orleans Barbarians. This will all culminate to the marquee match-up of rivals, Prairie View A&M Men’s Rugby against Morehouse College Men’s Rugby.

[Left to Right] Top Row: Michael Armstead, Vitamin Cea, Young Gage, Kalesha Brown Boudreaux; Bottom Row: Jamal Steele, Yung Jewelz, Moose Harris, Dexter Jackson
The HBCU Rugby Classic was created to promote rugby culture and celebrate HBCUs. With the sport of rugby continuing to grow domestically and internationally, there are more opportunities being created at all levels of the sport, on and off the field. The HBCU Rugby Classic’s purpose it to introduce the sport to a new community.
The HBCU Rugby Classic will have a larger impact on the community in 2019. The event will use a portion of its proceeds to establish a scholarship opportunity for a student interested in attending a historically black university of his/her choice. The scholarship will be established through the event’s sponsor, PeduL. PeduL (www.PeduL.com) is an online fundraising tool for current and prospective students to crowdfund money for tuition at universities and other formal education institutions.

“Rugby is literally on every continent around the world, and it’s increasing everywhere. I believe that the opportunity to show a new community how this sport can help them see the world, and expand your experience is incredibly important to the progression of this community. That’s what makes this event so important,” said Founder and Event director, Gift Egbelu.
The HBCU Rugby Classic will take place at Istrouma High School, 3730 Winbourne Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70805. Gates open at 12pm and performances start at 1:00pm. You can purchase your tickets online at www.HBCURugbyClassic.com. Presale tickets are $10.00 online or $20.00 at the gate. For more information follow HBCU Rugby Classic by like on Facebook at HBCU Rugby Classic, or following on Instagram and Twitter @HBCURugbyClassic.