Texas Southern University Featured in HBCU Swingman Classic Coverage Highlighting Baseball Legacy and Culture
By As excitement builds around the HBCU Swingman Classic, Texas Southern University was featured as the first stop in a video spotlight on the culture, tradition, and legacy of baseball at historically Black colleges and universities.
The video, part of a broader series titled the HBCU Circuit: Path to the Swingman Classic, opened in Houston at the home of the five-time SWAC champions, Texas Southern University. MLB Senior Vice President for Baseball Development Dell Matthews, a Texas Southern alum, welcomed viewers back to the campus and shared his reflections on what it meant to return.
“Back on the yard — there’s nothing like it here,” Matthews said, reminiscing about the growth of the facilities and the memories tied to his time on the team.
The Swingman Classic, an initiative developed in part by baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr., gives standout HBCU players a chance to play on a national stage during MLB All-Star Week. Matthews explained that Griffey wanted to create a platform for student-athletes to be seen by scouts while honoring the unique culture of HBCU baseball programs.
“You’re treated like a major leaguer for those three days,” Matthews said. “It’s an all-star experience.”
The spotlight also included an on-field conversation with Texas Southern head baseball coach Michael Robertson, who reflected on his nearly two decades at the university. After moving from Prairie View A&M, where he turned a struggling program into a champion, Robertson accepted the challenge of bringing his system to Texas Southern.
“It started as a career, but it actually ended up being a calling,” Robertson said. Reflecting on his time with the Texas Southern team, he added, “We played in four straight championships here—and won three out of four.”
Student-athletes also shared what brought them to Texas Southern. One player from California described how the university’s cultural environment and coaching stood out — and how a trip to Houston’s iconic Breakfast Klub sealed the deal during recruitment.
“Food, culture, development — I was like, ‘All right, this is going to be pretty special,’” he said.
The video highlighted the discipline of the program, the strength of its players, and the brotherhood among teammates — qualities that define the baseball experience at Texas Southern University.
The Swingman Classic continues to spotlight the impact of HBCU baseball across the country, giving student-athletes a national platform to showcase their talent and represent their institutions with pride.
