Baltimore welcomed hundreds of aspiring sports professionals last weekend as the Get In the Game HBCU Sports Business Convention took over the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards from November 7–9. The three-day conference brought together HBCU and BIPOC college students from across the country for a deep dive into the fast-growing world of sports business, offering direct access to executives, former athletes, recruiters, and industry leaders.
The event featured a full schedule of panels, workshops, networking sessions, and a career expo designed to show students what’s possible in fields such as athletic administration, sports media, event operations, philanthropy, hospitality, and technology. One of the highlight moments came during Saturday’s fireside chat with NFL legend Calvin Hill, who shared insights on leadership, discipline, and building purpose-driven careers both on and off the field. Hill, a former Dallas Cowboy and father of NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill, delivered an intergenerational message that resonated with students preparing to enter the workforce.
On Sunday, attendees gathered for the “State of HBCU Athletics” panel featuring commissioners from the CIAA, MEAC, and SIAC. The conversation offered a candid look at the evolution of HBCU sports, touching on media visibility, athlete development, NIL opportunities, and the cultural impact of Black college athletics. Students described the panel as one of the most valuable sessions of the weekend, providing direct access to the leaders shaping the future of college sports.
This year’s conference included students from 18 colleges and universities, with Baltimore-area institutions—Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and Bowie State University—well represented. Between resume reviews, employer meetups, and recruitment conversations, many attendees walked away with new connections and clearer pathways into sports careers they had only imagined.
The convention also highlighted Baltimore’s growing reputation as a sports and tourism hub. Hosting a national convening of this scale in the heart of downtown underscored the city’s commitment to cultivating opportunities for young talent while showcasing its capacity to support major events tied to economic development and workforce growth.
For many students, the weekend served as a turning point—transforming curiosity into confidence and ambition into actionable next steps. As the final sessions wrapped on Sunday, the energy in the room reflected the conference’s mission: to ensure that HBCU and BIPOC students have equitable access to the opportunities shaping the future of the sports industry.