LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Athletes from 17 historically Black colleges and universities took part in a track and field event Monday at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in west Louisville.

What You Need To Know

  • A track and field meet was held at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center

  • The event was hosted by the Louisville Urban League

  • 17 colleges took part, including Kentucky State University

  • All the schools are historically Black colleges and universities

The 2nd annual HBCU Indoor Classic was hosted at the center by the Louisville Urban League. 

“We had about five teams participate last year, and we’ve grown over that. And we’re just excited to continue to see this meet grow,” said Lyndon Pryor, chief engagement officer of the Louisville Urban League. 

Runners in the 2nd annual HBCU Indoor Classic wait for the next race to start. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

Pryor explained the importance of events like this comes down to visibility. 

“We want to make sure that our students here in Louisville, as well as our communities, are able to see and experience all the great things that come with HBCUs,” Pryor said. 

The only school from the Commonwealth taking part was Kentucky State University, one of the few HBCUs in the state.

KSU brought 24 athletes to compete. A number, Ramon Johnson, the school’s athletic director, and track and field coach says, is pretty decent as their program is currently being rebuilt. 

“I’m hoping that we get some wins out of this, especially in the 60 [and] the 4x4. [It feels] very competitive to have our D1 HBCU, Tennessee State, to come down and be a part of this. I think it’s great,” Johnson said. 

Athletes from Kentucky State University watch a 400m dash race at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in west Louisville, Ky. (Spectrum News 1/Mason Brighton)

Both men underscored the significance of having this meet on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

“[King] was best known for breaking barriers, and as we see these athletes overcoming the hurdles, overcoming the jumps, overcoming the antagonizing draw from the distance races, I think it encompasses everything that MLK represents,” Johnson said. 

“Dr. King was a graduate of Morehouse College, a historically Black college, so he obviously benefited from the greatness that is an HBCU,” Pryor said. “So to be able to have this meet on this weekend and to really be able to showcase the brilliance and the greatness of HBCUs really seems fitting.”

Along with the track and field events, vendors from the MELANnair Marketplace were set up at the complex. College recruiters from several schools were on site as well. 

Results from the meet can be viewed here. 

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