Courtesy of Howard University Athletic Media Relations


WASHINGTON, D.C., June 19, 2020 – The Howard University Department of Athletics announced the men's basketball team is set to host the University of Notre Dame on Martin Luther King Day, Jr. (MLK Day), scheduled for Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 inside Burr Gymnasium.
 
Tipoff and game broadcast details will be announced at a later date.
 
The matchup features Notre Dame visiting an Historically Black College and University (HBCU) for the first time in program history.
 
"We are excited to host the University of Notre Dame men's basketball team in what will certainly be a spirited competition that will energize the fans on both sides of the court," Howard University President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick said. "As we witness the nation's outcry for social justice and racial equality, this event will be a fitting demonstration of unity, collegiality and sportsmanship."
 
MLK Day is an American federal holiday, acknowledging the birthday of the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state laws. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law and it was first observed three years later (Jan. 20, 1986).
 
This will be the fourth time Howard honors Dr. King's Celebration of Excellence by hosting nonconference contests with iconic, historical institutions. In the past two seasons, HU has greeted Ivy League perennials Harvard (2019) and Yale (2020) to The Burr.
 
"We've made this a tradition, hosting these outstanding institutions on MLK Day," Howard Director of Athletics Kery Davis said. "We thank Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas for giving us an opportunity to host Notre Dame during Mid-Eastern Athletic conference (MEAC) play. This is a great opportunity for us, and we're excited to welcome Coach Mike Brey and the Fighting Irish to The Mecca."
 
Howard head men's basketball coach Kenneth Blakeney and Notre Dame Glenn and Stacey Murphy Head Men's Basketball Coach Mike Brey both have ties to the D.C. area, having played at DeMatha High School under legendary and Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wooten, the winningest high school coach in history.
 
"We are honored to welcome Notre Dame to Howard University for our annual MLK Day game," Blakeney said. "Coach Mike Brey and I are brothers!  We were both mentored by one of the best educators, Coach Morgan Wooten at DeMatha Catholic H.S., who considered himself a teacher first. We understand that this game is bigger than both universities and I feel that we have a social and civic responsibility to engage our programs in celebrating Dr. King's birthday."
 
Before next year's showdown at The Hilltop, Howard and Notre Dame are excited to announce an initiative in partnership with When We All Vote (WWAV), a national, nonpartisan nonprofit that brings together citizens, institutions, brands, and organizations to increase participation in every election. Launched by Michelle Obama, the organization is committed to closing the race and age voting gap and empowering all eligible voters to cast their ballot by harnessing grassroots energy, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing digital organizing strategies, with the ultimate goal of changing the culture around voting.
 
"We have been looking for the best way to fulfill our game contract with Howard and this seemed like the perfect fit," Brey said. "As our program searched for the best way to remain active participants in the push for social change, a visit to one of our nation's top HBCUs on Martin Luther King Jr. Day will provide an incredible educational experience for our student-athletes, coaches, support staff and university."
 
Visit www.whenweallvote.org for more information.
 
Before every practice, Coach Blakeney shares a quote with his team and one quote from Dr. King that is relevant during these challenging times: "Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress."
 
"Give us the ballot," Blakeney said. "And we will no longer have to worry the federal government about our basic rights. Being a coach means you're a teacher and I've been given an incredible opportunity to teach, serve, lead and give back while helping student-athletes achieve their full potential."
 
Howard is set to host its first Power Five opponent inside Burr Gymnasium since welcoming Oregon State on Nov. 27, 2010.
 
Blakeney returns for his second season with a plethora of talent, led by 2019-20 MEAC Rookie of the Year Wayne Bristol, Jr.