UVI to Host Hoop Tournament for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The UVI men’s basketball team, from left, Shirmoy O’Garro, Jaren Johnson, Jamal Norris, Ali Palmer, LiWayne Richardson, Will Boyd, Chris Williams, Denny Gonzalez, Jamari Williams and Eliyah Stevens. (Source file photo)

The Sports and Fitness Center at the University of the Virgin Islands’ St.  Thomas campus will be rocking and rolling this week as UVI opens its courts and shores for the inaugural UVI HBCU Basketball Tournament, Wednesday through Friday.

This event will be the first major basketball tournament held in the United States Virgin Islands since the pandemic halted all organized sporting events in March 2020. It will feature schools from historically Black schools and universities: Arkansas Baptist College from Little Rock, Arkansas; Warner University based in Lake Wales, Florida; Huston-Tillotson University from Austin, Texas; Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio and the host of this event, and the University of the Virgin Islands.

The festivities will start on Wednesday with Buc Night. UVI athletic department will honor 10 legendary UVI alumni. Fans are urged to wear blue in support of these iconic Buccaneers. On the hardwood, action will get underway with these four games.

2 p.m. – Wilberforce University (1-2) vs Huston-Tillotson University (0-1) – Women
4 p.m. – Huston-Tillotson University (0-1) vs Warner University (1-0) – Men
6 p.m. – University of the Virgin Islands (2-0) vs Arkansas Baptist College – Women
8 p.m. – University of the Virgin Islands (0-2) vs Wilberforce University (0-3) – Men

Thursday will be High School Senior Night. All high school seniors can watch the games for free if they simply complete an application to UVI or any other institutions of higher learning participating in this classic. Application fees will be waived to help motivate seniors to take advantage of this opportunity. Here is Thursday’s lineup:

2 p.m. – Arkansas Baptist College vs Huston-Tillotson University – Women
4 p.m. – Huston-Tillotson University vs Wilberforce University – Men
6 p.m. – University of the Virgin Islands vs Wilberforce University – Women
8 p.m. – University of the Virgin Islands vs Warner University – Men

The UVI women’s basketball team, from left, Kaya Evans, Melea Lovelace, Kashay Bass, Kaeani Berry, Mia Davis, Amber Appiah-Kubi, Kierra Neal and Lynnea Pugh. (Source file photo)

The final day of play will be dedicated to fraternities and sororities of UVI. Greek Night will feature a homecoming stroll off and an old fashion step show. The Sports and Fitness Center will be transformed into one big frat house on Friday evening. The last game day of this event will spotlight the following matchups:

2 p.m. – Warner University vs Wilberforce University – Men
4 p.m. – Arkansas Baptist College vs Wilberforce University – Women
6 p.m. – University of the Virgin Islands vs. Huston-Tillotson University – Women
8 p.m. – University of the Virgin Islands vs. Huston-Tillotson University – Men

UVI’s athletic department will cap off the 2021 inaugural UVI HBCU tournament with the Buc Beach Bash. Teams will be able to enjoy the V.I.’s sun, sea and sand as Brewers Beach will come alive with music, food and fun. This event will take place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday. Food trucks and other vendors will be present at this “las’ lap” event.

This event is an all-vaccinated function. Spectators will be required to prove that they have taken the COVID-19 vaccine before they will be allowed to enter the premises.

Day tickets are $15. Tournament passes are $30. USVI high school students and UVI staff and faculty are just $5. All vaccinated residents are encouraged to come out and support the UVI Buccaneers.