PRAIRIE VIEW – The Prairie View A&M baseball team is set to participate in the inaugural State Fair Diamond Classic versus Grambling State in what stands as a marquee event in the realm of HBCU baseball. The Panthers and Tigers will clash in a three-game series March 26-28 at Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The event is sponsored by the Frisco RoughRiders as well as BCSG 360.

"I thank each and every one who allowed this to come together so that we can participate. I'm looking forward to being a part of it for years to come," PVAMU Head Baseball Coach Auntwan Riggins said. "The Dallas-Fort Worth metro is a big recruiting area in the state of Texas, and these games give us the opportunity to show that we can play, and we can play with anybody. That's a big positive for our program and our university. I think this will bring more eyes to our program."

Per event organizers, the intent is for the State Fair Diamond Classic to expand the footprint and reach of HBCU baseball while giving teams a piece of the limelight.

"To have a chance to showcase our talents and for HBCU baseball to be represented in an event of this magnitude is huge," PVAMU senior outfielder Xavier Jefferson said. "I believe that in general, (HBCU baseball) is overlooked as a talent pool, and this level of exposure is going to be beneficial for all involved."

The venue will be limited to approximately 25-30 percent capacity, and masks will be required for attendees. 

Keep up with all the latest news and information for PVAMU athletics by following pvpanthers.com as well as through Twitter via the PVAMU general sports account (@PVAMUPanthers). You can also follow along on Instagram.com/pvamupanthers.

About BCSG 360
The mission of BCSG 360 is to educate students of the value and benefits associated with attending and graduating from Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). They also provide engaging historical content, programming and curriculums to middle and high school systems to teach students about the history and pride associated with HBCUs.  BCSG 360 strives to connect students and community to HBCUs using engaging events and programming to create awareness and participation in the admittance and scholarship process. The organization serves as a clearinghouse of qualitative and quantitative information to be used to educate communities on the outcomes associated with HBCU and the HBCU Experience.
 
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Riders Field in the heart of Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 15 seasons (2005-2019). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg. Since then, the new ownership group, together with the City of Frisco, has spearheaded numerous major franchise enhancements, investing over $8 million in a wide array of facility upgrades that earned the Riders and the City of Frisco Ballpark Digest's prestigious "Best Ballpark Renovation" award for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016). More than 160 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including current Rangers players Elvis Andrus and Joey Gallo.  For more information, contact media@ridersbaseball.com.