Vero Beach is currently at the center of the collegiate baseball world as the Jackie Robinson Training Complex plays host to the 18th annual Andre Dawson Classic. Organized by Major League Baseball, this round-robin tournament is a significant event designed to showcase baseball programs from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Formerly known as the Urban Invitational, the tournament continues its legacy of highlighting the rich tradition of Black college baseball right here in Indian River County.
This year’s iteration marks a special milestone for the tournament. Alongside seven prominent HBCU teams, the 2026 classic features the Yale Bulldogs, marking the first time an Ivy League team has participated in the event.
Participating Teams
The lineup features a robust roster of talent from across the country, bringing high-level collegiate competition to Vero Beach. The participating schools include:
- Florida A&M Rattlers
- Southern Jaguars
- Alabama State Hornets
- Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
- Grambling State Tigers
- Jackson State Tigers
- Texas Southern Tigers
- Yale Bulldogs
How to Watch
For local baseball fans unable to attend in person, Major League Baseball is providing extensive coverage. All games are being streamed live on MLB.com. Additionally, the MLB Network is broadcasting two headline matchups on Saturday:
- 4:00 p.m. ET: Yale Bulldogs vs. Jackson State Tigers
- 8:00 p.m. ET: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. Florida A&M Rattlers
The Andre Dawson Classic is an annual, round-robin collegiate baseball tournament designed by Major League Baseball to highlight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their baseball programs.
Weekend Schedule and Results
The action kicked off on Friday, February 20, with several high-scoring affairs. The Alabama State Hornets defeated the Florida A&M Rattlers 11-4, while the Southern Jaguars secured a dominant 13-3 victory over the Grambling State Tigers. In a closer contest, the Jackson State Tigers edged out the Texas Southern Tigers 3-2.
Saturday’s games have continued the excitement, with the Texas Southern Tigers winning a slugfest against the Southern Jaguars, 15-13, and Alabama State continuing their winning streak with a 14-5 victory over Grambling State.
The tournament concludes on Sunday, February 22, with a morning and early afternoon slate of games:
- 9:00 a.m.: Grambling State Tigers vs. Jackson State Tigers
- 10:00 a.m.: Alabama State Hornets vs. Texas Southern Tigers
- 12:00 p.m.: Florida A&M Rattlers vs. Southern Jaguars
Residents are encouraged to tune in to support these student-athletes and celebrate the enduring legacy of Jackie Robinson in Vero Beach.
