JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Hank Aaron Sports Academy and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) announced that the Hope Credit Union Baseball Championship will not be held at Smith-Wills Stadium in 2025.

The HBCUAC is searching for an alternate host. The original three-year agreement included a potential two-year extension.

However, officials said the ongoing litigation between the State of Mississippi and the City of Jackson has forced the two organizations to make the decision to find an alternate host site. The State of Mississippi has requested for the City of Jackson to relinquish its deed to Smith-Wills Stadium.

“This is unfortunate for all those involved, and certainly a financial loss and casts undeserved aspersions on our organization,” said Kusche Sports Group CEO Tim Bennett. “The impending litigation has forced us  to take a step back and do what is best for the students, faculty, and fans of the HBCUAC while regrouping to see how to move forward in such a litigious climate between entities outside our own.”

Smith-Wills Stadium is home to Braves Country Baseball, Braves RBI, the Legacy League, Jackson Public Schools high school baseball, USSA Youth Tournaments, Perfect Game Youth Tournaments, Wow Factor Youth Tournaments, and Clint Johnson, who holds regular baseball clinics and instructions for area youth.