Rocket City Classic: Bama vs. Owls, a “homecoming”
HUNTSVILLE – The 2025 Rocket City Classic, presented by Akima, will be a reunion in a familiar place as Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle announced that Alabama will face Kennesaw State at Von Braun Center Propst Arena on Sunday, Dec. 21.
The Crimson Tide return for the second straight year to the Rocket City Classic, but this time for a regular season game, their first in Propst Arena since 2019. Their matchup is against one of the favorites to contend in Conference USA, Kennesaw State, led by former Tide star and assistant coach Antoine Pettway.
The game is also a “homecoming” or sorts as the Owls feature former Bob Jones standout Kaden Rickard, who originally signed with Murray State before a change to sign with Kennesaw State.
“This a good thing as my family and friends from the Madison area can see me play without having to travel,” said Rickard, in between classes in his studies in business at the school located just off I-75 north of Atlanta. “I played in the VBC Arena as a sophomore when I played for Westminster Christian. I will feel right at home in the big arena.”
For the 6-6, 211-pound Rickard, the Second-Team All-State selection completed a marvelous senior season at Bob Jones which included being named to the N2Hoops All-Tournament Team, All-Area Team, the Huntsville City Classic MVP and a starting position slot in the annual Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic. His last season at Bob Jones was memorable. He scored 15 points, grabbed 6.5 rebounds and posted 3.8 assists per game. Rickard had 27 blocks and 50 steals on the season. He completed his play with the Patriots with 1,175 career points.
“It’s an honor to play against Alabama as I grew up a fan of the Crimson Tide and the game will be a good chance for us to showcase our team and show our great fundamentals of the game,” said Rickard, who as a freshman is expected to see lots of quality time on the court for the Owls in 2025. “I’m sure I will be a little nervous, maybe some butterflies before the game in front of the home crowd at the VBC, but once on the court, it’s all basketball.”
The Owls’ roster will also include former Grissom High player R.J. Johnson. The 6-4, 225-pound guard is a redshirt sophomore.
Alabama is coming off a season that finished with a 28-9 record and a trip to the Elite Eight, just one game shy of a second trip to the Final Four. The Tide made the trip to Huntsville during the preseason for a matchup with Memphis, prevailing 96-88 in front of a sold-out crowd.
“We are excited to return to Huntsville and face an exceptional program in Kennesaw State led by Antoine Pettway who is synonymous with Alabama basketball,” said Alabama head coach Nate Oats. “The Rocket City Classic provides an amazing atmosphere and we are looking forward to playing in front of Tide fans at the Von Braun Center.”
In its second season under Pettway, Kennesaw State made major strides in its first year as a member of Conference USA. The Owls put together a 19-14 record and advanced to the semifinals of the CUSA Championships in Huntsville before falling to a late rally by eventual champion Liberty. The Owls look to return to the Rocket City in March and cut down the nets to book their trip to the NCAA Tournament.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to travel to Huntsville and play one of the best programs in the country in the University of Alabama,” said KSU head coach Antoine Pettway. “It’s no secret how I feel about what Nate Oats and his staff have been able to accomplish since arriving in Tuscaloosa. We are grateful to the Rocket City Classic for inviting us and we look forward to competing against high level competition in front some amazing fans in the city of Huntsville.”
As in previous Classics, the evening is more than just college basketball. This year, the game will highlight some of the unique elements of Huntsville thanks to the partnership with Akima, a leading Alaska Native corporation more than 10,000 employees strong, with a portfolio of 39 small businesses known as operating companies. Home to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, a swearing in of new recruits will happen at halftime. With the FBI’s growing presence on the Arsenal, the game also serves as FBI Appreciation Night to thank them for their service.
Tickets go on-sale Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available at the VBC Box Office and online at ticketmaster.com.
