What is the C.M. Newton Classic?

Hibbett | City Gear is proud to sponsor the inaugural C.M. Newton Classic basketball game, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December, 21 at the newly renovated Legacy Arena. The Classic, which honors renowned basketball player and coach C.M. Newton, will see the University of Alabama’s men’s basketball team face Colorado State.

The basketball game’s namesake, C.M. Newton, is known for recruiting the first black basketball players at the University of Alabama. He later coached the first all-black starting lineup in the SEC and hired the first black coach at the University of Kentucky where Newton himself studied.

A trailblazer and advocate for diversity and inclusion on the basketball court, the C.M. Newton Classic is a fitting tribute to Newton’s legacy.

In a press release from early October, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union President and CEO Joe McGee commented that the event is more than simply a basketball game.

“C.M. Newton was not only a great coach and player but someone who cared about people. He saw beyond race and a player’s skills on the court. He was courageous and paved the way for many players after integrating the University of Alabama’s men’s basketball team. We are thrilled to be the presenting sponsor for this game in honor of Coach Newton’s legacy and look forward to watching a great game of basketball.”

Prior to tip-off, Alabama and Colorado State players will have the opportunity to visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BCRI,) to which the C.M. Newton Classic and the game’s partners will contribute funds in honor of Newton and his strides towards unity.

“C.M. Newton’s Crimson Tide and Commodores teams were a tribute to the rewards of integration and spurred coaches to see humanity in all athletes – that something…the color line,” said Isaac Cooper, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Board of Directors Chair in the previously quoted October 4 press release. “Martin Newton, his son and my former AD, continues to live his legacy through his authentic advocacy. We’re delighted to join Knight Eady and The University of Alabama in honoring his legacy,” said Cooper.

“I am honored that the C.M. Newton Classic is supporting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute,” Martin Newton, C.M. Newton’s son and Samford athletic director, also commented. “Their mission aligns with the mission my father had, to work towards a better future for all. I am excited to partner with the BCRI to continue to take strides towards diversity and inclusion.”

The University of Alabama and Colorado State University teams are both highly ranked as a recent participant in the later rounds of last year’s NCAA Tournament and the number three team in the Mountain West Conference, respectively, setting the stage for a matchup not seen since the 90s.

For more information on tip-off time and ticket information, visit the C.M. Newton Classic event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CMNewtonClassic/.