NW Valley Times

Grand Canyon University (GCU) welcomed stars from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with a deep-rooted history in a recent event held at the Global Credit Union Arena.

T.C. Dean, the first Black student and basketball player at GCU in 1956, expressed his delight at witnessing his alma mater host the HBCU All-Star Game. Reflecting on the progress over the years, Dean shared, "It makes me feel really great. Coming up the way I came up, seeing what’s going on now, it’s amazing that Grand Canyon has this, because being the first one here, I can’t believe it."

Dean reminisced about his playing days under Coach Brazell, highlighting the importance of desire, position, and hustle in his game. He emphasized, "Coach Brazell told me, ‘TC, when the ball goes up, go get it, it’s yours, don’t let anybody take it away from you.’ It took desire, position and hustle."

The HBCU All-Star Game aims to provide exposure and recognition to students and athletes from historically Black colleges. Dean remarked, "A lot of these Black kids in small colleges, they don’t get that recognition, they don’t get that exposure. Situations like this give them that extra exposure."

The event at the Global Credit Union Arena was a vibrant affair with enthusiastic participation from various colleges. A source mentioned, "Everybody came and was ready to put on a show. Everybody knew they had to compete."

Zach Broussely, manager of the Multicultural Office at GCU, highlighted the significance of celebrating HBCUs, stating, "To celebrate all the HBCUs around the country is so cool."

Dr. Carl A. Blunt, representing the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Phoenix chapter, described the event as a reunion, bringing together individuals with shared experiences. He expressed, "This is like a big college reunion for us."

The game concluded with Team Ben Wallace emerging victorious, showcasing the talent present at the event. The atmosphere was described as captivating, with attendees relishing the opportunity to connect and celebrate the legacy of HBCUs.

The gathering not only highlighted athletic prowess but also served as a platform to honor the heritage and contributions of HBCUs, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among participants.