Updates

The third annual Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Battle of the Brains event will take place March 7–10 at South by Southwest (SXSW).

The NFL is the title sponsor of the four-day event, which will kick off with the Opening Tailgate Party on March 7. The reception is an opportunity for participating HBCU students to network with league and club representatives.

NFL Network's Steve Wyche and Gregory Gibson Jr., Founder and Executive Director, HBCU Battle of the Brains, will serve as co-hosts for the event. Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch will be the special guest.

Students will gain insight from league and club employees across a variety of specializations including Football Operations, Business and Strategic Affairs, Communication and Government Affairs, Digital Media, Television Production, Human Resources and Integrated Sales and Marketing.

Additionally, the NFL will host How Data is Revolutionizing the NFL, a panel discussion about how data and analytics impact all aspects of the game.

Featured speakers include:

• Sarah Bailey – Football Statistician, Los Angeles Rams
• Bucky Brooks – Former NFL player scout and current NFL Network analyst
• Namita Nandakumar – Quantitative Analyst, Philadelphia Eagles  
• Matt Swensson – NFL Vice President of Emerging Products and Technology

For more information, visit the Battle of the Brains website.

Follow the competition on Twitter (@hbcubotbrains) and Instagram (@hbcubotbrains) and join the conversation using hashtags #HBCUBOTBrains and #Changingthegame.