HUNTSVILLE – More than a game.
That’s how the Mayor’s Cup between the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M is described.
The two schools came together today to announce the return of the sports classic, a cherished local tradition of Huntsville’s cross-town basketball rivalry.
This year’s Mayor’s Cup will be Oct. 27 in the Alabama A&M Event Center. The women will tip off at 5 p.m., followed by the men at 7 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public.
“The Mayor’s Cup is more than just a game — it’s a celebration of two dynamic institutions coming together to unify the greater Huntsville community through the power of basketball,” said Dr. Paul Bryant, Director of Athletics at Alabama A&M. “We’re proud to host this event on The Hill and showcase the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and Bulldog pride. Go Bulldogs!”
The exhibition game, designed to celebrate the spirit of competition and community between UAH and AAMU, marks the return of a rivalry that dates back nearly five decades. The men’s teams first met Dec. 3, 1974, competing regularly through the 1990s before a lengthy hiatus.
The rivalry was briefly revived in 2013, when the Bulldogs secured the crown. The women’s rivalry began Dec. 5, 1977, with their last meeting in 1998 ending in a victory for the Chargers.
Now, after a dozen years, the Mayor’s Cup is back — reenergizing local support for intercollegiate athletics and providing an exciting showcase for student-athletes and fans across the city.
“This event is a great way to celebrate Huntsville’s thriving college sports culture and the passion of our students, alumni and supporters,” said Dr. Cade Smith, Director of Athletics at UAH. “We’re excited to bring back this tradition as a way to strengthen connections across our city and bring the community together.”
In the spirit of giving back, both universities will collect non-perishable food donations prior to the game to support local food pantries, reflecting the generosity and service that unite the UAH and AAMU communities.
