Congratulations, Champions!

The Spelman College Jaguars are the 2019 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge champions!

Final Games at Honda HQ

                                      

Spelman faced some tough competition on their way to the title. The morning began with the Elite 8 facing off in single-elimination quarterfinals games. Spelman was victorious in their game against Tuskegee University. Jackson State University defeated Southern University, Morehouse College won in their game against Hampton University, and Florida A&M University beat Alabama A&M University.

Next came the semifinal matches. FAMU lived up to their reputation as the winning-est team in HCASC history, beating 2018 champs Jackson State. Spelman met Morehouse in an all-Atlanta battle of the sexes, taking the win and proving that girls really do run the world.

Finally, Spelman and FAMU went head-to-head in the final matches. After a rocky start, with FAMU controlling the board and running up the score, Spelman found their stride, winning in back to back games to become the 2019 champions.

2019 Closing Awards Banquet

The HCASC Closing Awards Banquet is not just an opportunity to celebrate the National Champions. It is also a chance to socialize, share, and celebrate the hard work and academic prowess of HCASC players from all of the Great 48 HBCUs. Each of the Great 48 teams will be returning to their campus with an institutional grant from American Honda. The NCT qualifying teams received grants of $3,000. The Sweet 16 teams received $6,000 grants. The Elite 8 HBCUs received $10,000.

HBCU Power of Dreams Award

Honda recognizes the ways that HBCUs nurture and shape student, helping them power their dreams; that’s why they partner with HBCUs to make HCASC and the Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) possible.

The HBCU Power of Dreams Award was established by Honda in 2016 to honor those extraordinary individuals taking action, and moving the HBCU community forward.

The 2019 HBCU Power of Dreams award recipient is Chuck Hobbs. Chuck is an HCASC Hall of Famer who played for Morehouse and FAMU (whose team is coached by his mother, Dr. Vivian Hobbs). This is the first time, the Power of Dreams award winner was announced at HCASC.

HBOB @ HCASC

HCASC attendees got a taste of HBOB during the closing banquet, with a performance by members of the marching bands from Alabama State University and FAMU.

So Much Spelman!

In addition to winning their first ever National Championship Title, Spelman was also recognized for two special awards: Coach of the Year and the Ernest C. Jones Sportsperson Award.

Coach of the Year

For 17 years, Coach Daniel Bascelli has been the glue that holds the Spelman HCASC family together. And if there were any doubts about his commitment to his players, his team’s success at HCASC 30 was enough to get rid of them. Congratulations, Dan, on being recognized as 2019’s HCASC Coach of the Year.

Ernest C. Jones Sportsperson Award

Named for one of the HCASC program’s early volunteers, the Ernest C. Jones Sportsperson Award is awarded to the player voted by his or her peers to epitomize the spirit of fair play and support for their teammates and competitors. This year, the award went to Spelman’s team captain, Ariana Benson. In recognition of her sportsmanship, Honda is presenting an additional $1,000 grant to her HBCU.

HCASC All-Stars

Jessika Agyepong, a Spelman student was also among the highest scoring players from each division: the HCASC All-Stars. The other All-Stars were: Cassondra Hanna (Fisk), David Reid (Oakwood), Steeven Tabuada (Bowie State), Meghan Sowersby (Cheyney), Kelvin Wells (Southern), Aris Fulton (Hampton), Cameron Hyman (Morehouse), Mya Green (Tuskegee), Robert Henderson (Tuskegee), and Malcolm Brown (North Carolina Central).

Looking Good, HCASC!

The closing banquet is also a time for NCT attendees to show off their personal style. Here’s just a taste of the fashion that was on display.

 

HCASC would like to offer many, many thanks to all the players, coaches, HBCU Presidents and Presidential Representatives, and Honda associates who’ve made our program possible. It’s been a great 30 years, and we’re happy to have you all as “Friends for Life.”