By Amyre Alford
ORLANDO MAGIC HBCU NIGHT: More Than Just a Game
I love a good game of basketball, and thanks to the Orlando Magic Team, I had the incredible opportunity to shadow the press team at the Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies game on February 21, 2025, at the Kia Center in Orlando, FL.
My gratitude exceeds this opportunity in press and communications, but I am also thankful they hosted an annual Magic on the Yard night during Black History Month!
Why HBCU Night Matters?
You might be wondering why I’m emphasizing HBCU Night. Well, as a proud HBCU student, seeing our culture highlighted in such a major way during Black History Month was inspiring. The Kia Center was filled with HBCU alumni, and they played a huge role in hosting the event.
From the moment the night started, the celebration was in full swing. A DJ from FAMU kept the energy high, and another FAMU Rattler stunned the stadium with a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. Not to mention, members of the Divine 9 were everywhere, proudly repping their organizations with their paraphernalia.
Halftime: A Show Like No Other
Halftime is always a moment fans look forward to, no matter the sport. And with the theme of Black History Month, who better to take the stage than the baddest band in the land; the Marching Wildcats?
I’ve always loved watching our band practice, but seeing them perform on a stage this big was a whole different experience. The energy, the precision, and the way they commanded the crowd; it was unreal!
Inside the Press Room & Press Box
Before the game, we had the chance to sit in both coaches’ press rooms, watching journalists fire off questions. Depending on the flow of the room, we even got to ask a few of our own!
During the game, we were stationed in the press box all the way up on the fourth floor. From there, we had a perfect bird’s eye view of the entire court and crowd. It was surreal to see everything from that perspective.
Final Thoughts: A New Perspective on PR
This experience gave me a whole new appreciation for the fast-paced world of sports PR. It’s even more intense than I imagined, but there’s also an undeniable rush that comes with it.
I’m beyond grateful for this opportunity, and who knows? I might even consider shifting my career path after graduation. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that everyone should experience the excitement of sports media at least once!