The 2024 Denny’s Orange Blossom Traditional is slated for Sept. 1 at Laborious Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. It’ll pit the Alabama State Hornets of the SWAC towards the North Carolina Central Eagles (NCCU) of the MEAC. Each groups completed within the Prime 10 of polling of HBCU Division-I groups in 2023. The Eagles had been HBCU nationwide champions in 2022.
The Denny’s Orange Blossom Traditional restarted in 2021 with a three-game sequence between the Florida A&M Rattlers and Jackson State Tigers. The sport can be a direct figuring out issue within the SWAC championship because the winner of the sport would go on to win the convention from 2021-2023.
Lengthy held because the Black nationwide championship within the golden period of HBCU soccer, the sport brings a wealth of vitality, leisure, custom, and tradition to South Florida. Each ASU and NCCU will benefit from the alternative to play in entrance of the hotbed of soccer expertise within the nation.
Beneath head coach Trei Oliver, the Eagles completed 9-3 (4-1 MEAC) final season, tied for first within the MEAC with eventual champion Howard College. Alabama State’s Eddie Robinson Jr. guided the Hornets to a 7-4 season (4-3 SWAC).
Bullock excited to host the Orange Blossom Traditional in South Florida
Kendra Bulluck, Govt Director of the OBC, shares her enthusiasm: “The Orange Blossom Traditional has all the time been a beacon of alternative and unity within the HBCU neighborhood. This yr, we current the skills of North Carolina Central College Eagles and Alabama State College Hornets, providing an thrilling expertise. We welcome each groups with open arms and are excited in regards to the distinctive vitality and competitors they are going to deliver to the traditional.”
Dr. Louis “Skip” Perkins, Director of Athletics, NCCU shares his anticipation: “It’s very thrilling to have NCCU soccer enjoying within the Orange Blossom Traditional to kick-off the 2024 season on Labor Day weekend. The Orange Blossom Traditional has a deep historical past with HBCUs from the MEAC and SWAC and with Coach Oliver’s connections to each conferences, North Carolina Central College is proud to now participate in that custom for an occasion that may deliver each nationwide publicity and scholarship fundraising to each our campus and HBCUs. NCCU soccer has performed in quite a few high-profile video games lately beneath Coach Oliver, together with marquee venues and postseason video games, and the Eagles taking the sphere inside Laborious Rock Stadium on September 1st will solely proceed to develop that legacy.”
Dr. Jason Cable, Director of Athletics, ASU expresses his pleasure: “Alabama State College Athletics is thrilled to be part of the Denny’s Orange Blossom Traditional (OBC) and its long-standing custom. I need to thank Kendra Bulluck and the OBC committee for the invitation. This sport enhances our total student-athlete expertise and offers our younger males the chance of a lifetime, together with nationwide publicity and enjoying in knowledgeable venue. The OBC additionally gives an incredible alternative to strengthen our model in South Florida. We sit up for bringing the Hornet Nation to Miami Gardens to kick off the 2024 soccer season.”
