DALLAS — The Dallas Sports Commission has been awarded a three-year bid to host the HBCU Athletic Conference Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship from 2027 through 2029, conference officials announced Wednesday.
The announcement was made during a press conference at Paul Quinn College’s Health & Wellness Center. Kiki Baker Barnes, commissioner of the HBCUAC, was joined by Dallas Sports Commission Vice President Andrew Dockrill, Michael Sorrell, president of Paul Quinn College, and Cinnamon Sheffield, assistant director of athletics for the Dallas Independent School District.
“Dallas demonstrated an outstanding commitment to celebrating HBCU excellence and providing a first-class experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans,” Baker Barnes said. “This partnership will elevate the Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship while showcasing the rich culture and tradition of HBCU athletics to a national audience.”
The Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship concludes the HBCUAC basketball season and features all 15 conference member institutions competing for league titles.
The tournament has experienced steady growth in recent years. In its second year in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the championship generated approximately $750,000 in economic activity. By 2025, that figure surpassed $1 million, reflecting increased attendance, expanded sponsorship support, and stronger engagement from HBCU alumni and supporters.
Host cities have benefited from elevated hotel occupancy, increased restaurant traffic, and higher activity across the transportation, retail, and entertainment sectors during tournament week.
HBCU alumni and supporters remain a driving force behind the event’s economic impact, traveling to support their institutions and contributing to sustained year-over-year growth.
“Dallas is honored to host the Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship and welcome the HBCUAC to our city,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting HBCU athletics and celebrating the incredible talent, tradition, and spirit these student-athletes bring to the court.”
Sorrell emphasized the significance of the championship’s arrival on the Paul Quinn campus.
“We stand for expanding the idea of what is possible,” Sorrell said. “Partnering the way we do, with the HBCUAC, Dallas Sports Commission, Hope Credit Union, Dallas Independent School District, and Urban Edge Network, expands what is possible and goes beyond what is imaginable.”
Baker Barnes said Dallas aligns with the conference’s broader mission.
“The HBCUAC has a rich history rooted in academic excellence, athletic achievement, and community empowerment,” she said. “Dallas, with its vibrant HBCU community and commitment to educational excellence, fits seamlessly into the mission, vision, and purpose of our championships.”
Tournament dates, venue information, and ticket details will be announced at a later date.
