This year, Honda Campus All Star Challenge (HCASC) marks 30 years of Honda’s commitment and dedication to showcasing, recognizing, and advancing the dreams of students at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

HCASC is one of Honda’s largest and longest-running philanthropic initiatives. Through HCASC, and since 2003, Honda Battle of the Bands, Honda has connected with more than 150,000 HBCU students through experiential opportunities, networking, leadership, and teamwork building. HCASC continues to celebrate the achievement and rich educational legacy of America’s HBCUs.

About Last Night: HCASC Opening Dinner

Steve Morikawa officially opened the 30th annual Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament last night at the Team Welcome Dinner. Morikawa applauded the very elite group of 2019 competitors.

“30 Years of Advancing Dreams” is the 2019 HCASC theme, and Morikawa encouraged all the players to live up to their full potential, knowing that they can accomplish anything that they dream. He explained that Honda has been in America for 60 years, and HCASC has been a part of the Honda family for half of that time, challenging, motivating & inspiring students during its 30 years.

2019 Division Leaders

Each year, the Great 48 are placed into eight divisions, each named for a noted African-American figure. This year there are 2 new division leaders: Nannie Helen Burroughs and Booker T. Washington. The eight divisions and teams competing in each were announced at the dinner. The divisions are: Oscar Micheaux Division in the Black room;  Mary Rebecca Crumpler Division in the Green room; Eugene Bullard Division in the Orange room; A. Philip Randolph Division in the Purple room; Fritz Pollard Division in the Red room; and Sissieretta Jones Division in the Yellow room.

Nannie Helen Burroughs

Born to formerly enslaved parents in Orange, Virginia around 1880, Nannie Helen Burroughs devoted her life to racial and gender equality. She rose to fame with her 1900 speech, “How the Sisters are Hindered from Helping.” In that speech, Burroughs gave voice to Black women who were frustrated at being denied social, educational, and economic opportunities because of their race and sex. She would go on to found the National Training School for Women and Girls, the first school in the country to offer vocational training for Black women. That school was later renamed in her honor, and its Trades Hall is now a National Historic Landmark.

Booker T. Washington

The founder of Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute (now Tuskegee University), Booker Taliaferro Washington was one of the best known African-American leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He believed that focusing on economic progress, educational opportunity, and justice in the courts were key to Black success.

2019’s HCASC Hall of Fame Inductee

Senator Nikema Williams competed in HCASC in the 1990s for Talladega College. She has since moved into the political arena, first as a member of the Georgia Young Democrats, and later as National Committee Woman for the Young Democrats of Georgia and the Deputy Director of the Southeast Region for Young Democrats of America. She served professionally as the Vice President of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Southeast and in numerous leadership roles in the community. Senator Williams has been widely honored for her work engaging young people in politics and empowering girls and women. Her political career has spanned over 15 years, and in December 2017, she was elected to the Georgia State Senate to represent the 39^th District.

HCASC Superfans

This year, the HCASC Great 48 photo album got over 100,000 likes, comments, and shares on Facebook! The team from Stillman College saw the most social media support, with more than 750 likes, comments, and shares.

On the Agenda

Sunday is the first day of this HCASC Round Robin Tournament! To get live score updates on your computer, head to HCASC.com. To get updates on your mobile device, go here.

After Round Robin, HCASC goes to the beach! We will be visiting the Redondo Beach Pier to enjoy the sand and sun before with your new and old Friends For Life!

When we get back from the beach, the Honda Student Center is hosting Tournament Night–FIFA, Madden, and NBA 2K. Play starts at 8 pm.