Historically black colleges and universities were established as a safe-haven for black Americans seeking an education after the Civil War. Today there are 103 HBCUs across the country, which include public and private, two-year and four-year institutions, medical schools and community colleges.

While every institution enjoys the loyalty of alumni and bond of common scholarship, few institutions can lay claim to a common struggle. Perhaps that's one reason traditions on these campuses run so deep. The community and kinship shared on HBCU campuses is very special and that's why the Double-A Zone has traveled to Claflin and South Carolina State University.

Stay tuned this weekend to experience the traditions of South Carolina State's homecoming. We'll also feature Claflin's transition to a Division II school.

Here's a little bit of what we've learned about South Carolina State and Claflin in our first day on these campuses...

South Carolina State:

• Is a public institution founded in 1896.
• South Carolina State started as part of Claflin. In 1896 the South Carolina General Assembly passed an act of separation, severing the State Agricultural and Mechanical Institute from Claflin University. The university was established as a separate institution which eventually became South Carolina State University.
• The homecoming celebration is a VERY big deal. Their stadium holds around 22,000 fans, but there will be more alumni attendees than can fit in the stadium.
• Of 2,443 higher education institutions, South Carolina State University ranks 17th in minority degrees granted in all disciplines.

Claflin:

• Is a private institution founded in 1869.
• The university was the first college in the state to welcome all students regardless of race or gender.
• Because South Carolina State and Claflin are literally next door to each other (in the old days the schools were separated by a chain-link fence) their students sometimes take classes on the opposite campus.
• Claflin was a member of the NAIA before joining Division II in 2008.

What traditions make your university special?