BRISTOL, Conn.- ESPN’s signature morning debate show First Take with featured commentator and executive producer Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim today announced four live shows on-site at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) this fall.
This marks the show’s largest HBCU fall tour to date. Here are the HBCUs and dates for the live fall shows.
| Location |
Date |
| Norfolk State University |
Thursday, Aug. 28 |
| Magic City Classic (Alabama A&M vs. Alabama St.) |
Friday, Oct. 24 |
| Delaware State University |
Wednesday, Oct. 29 |
| Bethune-Cookman University |
Thursday, Nov. 20 |
*Subject to change
Oct. 24 at Magic City Classic- Legion Field (Birmingham, Ala.)
The Magic City Classic is the largest HBCU football game held annually in the country. It features Alabama A&M versus Alabama St. and is played at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
Nov. 20 at Bethune-Cookman University (Daytona, Fla.)
Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman is a private HBCU. First Take will be on-site prior to Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M’s football matchup on Nov. 22.
First Take has a history of visiting HBCUs or in support of HBCU week since 2019. The show has traveled to Winston-Salem State University (2023) and home to alum, Smith; and to Florida A&M with comedian Kevin Hart and movie producer Will Packer (2021).
The show also celebrated HBCU Week at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in 2022 and at 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington, Del. in 2019.
ESPN’s
First Take airs weekdays from 10 a.m. – Noon ET on ESPN.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at
www.swac.org.