BABSON PARK, Mass.—The Babson College men's basketball team is one of four programs chosen to compete in the inaugural DIII Champions Classic as announced by the Henrico (Va.) Sports and Entertainment Authority earlier this month.
The Beavers will join Christopher Newport University, Randolph-Macon College and the University of Scranton in the newly-created event, which will be played on December 28-29, 2026, inside the
Henrico Sports and Events Center in Glen Allen, Va. The participants have combined to win five Division III national championships in 12 trips to the Final Four in addition to advancing to 35 Sweet 16s in 98 NCAA Tournament appearances.
Designed to become the premier in-season national event in Division III men's basketball, the DIII Champions Classic will bring top programs from across the country together for high-caliber matchups ahead of the championship push in March.
"The DIII Champions Classic was created to raise the bar for regular-season competition in Division III men's basketball," said Dennis Bickmeier, Executive Director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority. "By bringing together former national champions in one place, we're providing an environment that challenges teams early and gives student-athletes a true championship-caliber experience ahead of the championship push in March."
Babson, which won its first Division III title in 2017, is set to play 2022 national champion Randolph-Macon, which is currently ranked second in the D3hoops.com poll, and 2023 title winners Christopher Newport at the DIII Champions Classic. The Beavers lost to the Yellow Jackets in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament and will face the Captains for the first time.
"What makes this event special is not just the competition, but the opportunity to engage with other coaches and players that share a championship standard," said Babson head coach
Stephen Brennan. "The DIII Champions Classic creates space for growth, connection, and high-level basketball both on and off the court."
