TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Stillman College softball and baseball will not have to travel far to compete for a Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) championship this coming spring. The HBCUAC announced that Visit Tuscaloosa and the City of Northport have been awarded the winning bid to host the conference's Baseball and Softball Championships for the next three years, through 2028. Both championships will take place at the newly constructed River Run Park in the City of Northport. The new stadium is located only one mile north of the Stillman College campus, across the Black Warrior River from West Tuscaloosa, a four-mile drive. 

It will be the first time a college softball and baseball conference championship has been hosted north of the river in Tuscaloosa County. 

"The opportunity to bring 16 teams to our baseball and softball championships in Northport for the next three years is a win for our student-athletes, fans, and the entire conference," said Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, HBCUAC Commissioner. "River Run Park will provide a premier stage for competition, and Visit Tuscaloosa's commitment to creating an exceptional experience will make these championships memorable for years to come."

The agreement extends Visit Tuscaloosa's partnership with the HBCU Athletic Conference, which began in October 2023 when the then Gulf Coast Athletic Conference announced Visit Tuscaloosa would host the Hope Credit Union Basketball Championship in 2023-2024 at Stillman College. That bid was extended for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons. Tuscaloosa County will now be home to three HBCUAC championships in the 2026 spring semester.

"We are thrilled to welcome the HBCUAC back to Tuscaloosa and to showcase all our community has to offer, including this brand new sports complex in Northport. From our state-of-the-art facilities at River Run Park to the vibrant energy of our entire area, we look forward to hosting student-athletes, coaches, and fans for an unforgettable championship experience," said Kelsey Rush, President and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa.

Stillman College softball won its first HBCUAC regular season and tournament championship in April 2025, while the Tigers baseball team competed in its first HBCUAC tournament in 2025 as the No. 3 seed. 

HBCUAC Softball Coach of the Year Joel Penfield looks forward to have the opportunity to defend the Tigers' championship in their own community. 

"Being four miles away, and not having to stay in a hotel, we're looking forward to it. It will be a great opportunity to be right here in Tuscaloosa," Penfield said. "We hope our fans and the community will come out and enjoy this great facility and a fun week of baseball and softball."

First-year Stillman baseball head coach Rashad Webster is also excited about playing for a title close to home. 

"I'm truly excited about it. We're going to have to be careful about how we approach this thing we it comes April," Webster said. "There's a thin line between comfortable and being too relaxed, but I do think being able to sleep in your own bed and eat comforting food that you're already familiar with will play a huge role in our success."

In addition to the games, each championship includes a welcome reception hosted by Visit Tuscaloosa, offering student-athletes, coaches, and fans an opportunity to experience the city's renowned hospitality and foster community engagement. Ticket information for both championships will be announced at a later date.

The tournament will be the first college postseason tournament to be hosted at the City of Northport's new River Run Park.

"The significance of the City of Northport landing the HBCU Athletic Conference Softball and Baseball Championships at the newly opened River Run Park is far-reaching from an economic, cultural, and community perspective," said Christy Bobo, Council President, City of Northport. "Hosting these baseball & softball championships offers economic benefits and boosts community pride. Additionally, they will showcase our city and this state-of-the-art sports complex, and impact our local businesses, hospitality industry, and provide tournaments where young people can see themselves as future student athletes. We thank HBCUAC Commissioner Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, City staff, Visit Tuscaloosa, Stillman College, and our amazing partner and all-star consultant, Don Staley, for supporting Northport's efforts in making River Run Park a premier destination to host sporting events."

For more information about the HBCUAC and for media inquiries, contact Dani Wright at (504) 514-4683 or communications@hbcuac.org.


Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.

Visit Tuscaloosa
As Tuscaloosa's destination organization, Visit Tuscaloosa's vision is to excel in illustrating the Tuscaloosa area as the South's premier college town, celebrated for its storied legacy and hospitality. The organization is a community asset that stimulates economic growth and fosters resident pride through tourism and promotion efforts that inspire people to discover Tuscaloosa County. Visit Tuscaloosa's efforts generate revenue for the community and consistently enhance the area's public image as a dynamic place to live, work, play and visit.

City of Northport
The City of Northport is a municipal corporation established in 1871 and organized under the laws of the State of Alabama. It is located on the northern bank of the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama, approximately 60 miles southwest of Birmingham. As a rapidly growing city, Northport features a historic downtown, a vibrant arts community, and is home to multiple recreational areas and centers, which have recently been renovated or developed.