About the BCA Classic

Eight teams compete in a three-day exempt tournament hosted by one of college basketball's top teams. Each team plays three games as the event features four games each day. The NCAA awarded the Black Coaches Association this special exemption, which allows teams to play these games in excess of the normal maximum number of contests.

The event has attracted an average of more than 14,000 fans per night since it began in 1994. Past participants include Kansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Arizona, UConn, Xavier, Saint Joseph's, Wake Forest and many others.

Black Coaches Association
www.bcasports.org

The Black Coaches Association (BCA) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization whose primary purpose is to foster the growth and development of minorities at all levels of sport both nationally and internationally. The BCA is committed to creating a positive, enlightened environment and common ground where issues can be examined closely, debated sincerely, and resolved honestly. The focus of the BCA envelops the NCAA Division I, IAA, II and III levels; the NAIA; Junior Colleges, High Schools and the Professional ranks.

The Mission of the Black Coaches Association is:
• To address significant issues pertaining to the participation and employment of minorities in sport in general and intercollegiate athletics in particular.
• To assist minorities aspiring to have a career in athletics through educational and professional developmental programming and scholarship.
• To provide youth and diverse communities, the opportunity to interact positively with the Black Coaches Association as a corporate citizen and community builder through various alliances.

In 1987, the issue of minority advancement was being discussed simultaneously by two separate, but significant African-American coaching groups, the assistant basketball and football coaches. Eventually, these two groups merged to form the nucleus of what would become the Black Coaches Association. The BCA was founded in 1988, and the membership was extended to all coaches.

Throughout the BCA’s 15-year history, the organization has been at the forefront of the effort to enhance the employment opportunities and professional development t of the minority professional. While maintaining this original mission, the BCA has continued to view the immediate and future concerns of the association within the framework of our ever-changing society.

The BCA of the future has a “Planned Positive Vision.” Our organization will systematically work toward the resolution of the issues we face by following a positive, goal-oriented program of achievement. This program involves the following:
• To address significant issues pertaining to the participation and employment of minorities in sport in general and intercollegiate athletics in particular
• Uniting as a National association to fulfill a positive plan of over-all achievement
• Utilizing our imaginations in a positive and constructive way to establish a unified effort
• Initiating aggressive and persistent action to progressively achieve a positive vision
• Communicating this positive vision to those outside of our members’ personal and the organization’s general concerns

The BCA holds three annual membership business meetings for specific segments of our membership. In January, approximately 300 of our football members meet at the American Football Coaches Association Convention. On average, 500 men’s and women’s basketball members meet during the NCAA men’s and women’s Final Four, respectively.

Held in May, the BCA National Convention is the marquee membership event of the BCA. The convention culminates the end of the academic year and includes professional development workshops, an exhibition, a job fair, youth clinics, banquets, a spouses program, award ceremonies and a golf tournament.

Published quarterly, the BCA Journal is the official publication for the Black Coaches Association. It is circulated to members and distributed at all BCA events.