A pair of Huntsville's university teams make history - the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Alabama A&M don't disappoint ...

CHARLIE RIEDEL | The Associated Press

Kansas State guard Martavious Irving (3) tried to get between Alabama-Huntsville guards Jamie Smith (left) and Wayne Dedrick in the first half last Tuesday night in Manhattan, Kan.

To say this past week was historic for a pair of Huntsville university sports programs is putting it mildly.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's basketball was the first Division II team invited to the NIT Preseason Tournament. The annual event this year featured the likes of Michigan, Kansas State, Pitt, Virginia and Penn.
The Chargers, who are themselves a perennial Division II power, were placed in a bracket with North Texas State, a favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference and led by Tony Mitchell, a likely first-round NBA draft pick next year; Kansas State and Lamar.
So, all UAH did in its opening game with North Texas State was beat the Mean Green 78-75 and hold Mitchell to four shots in 31 minutes before he fouled out.
Coach Lenny Acuff's squad then faced Kansas State and more than met its match against the Big 12 Wildcats, falling 87-26.
But the Chargers don't have any reason to hang their heads. Though overmatched, the players didn't give up and played hard throughout the game, as if they were trailing by just a few points.
Today, UAH continues play in the tournament at Robert Morris University, taking on Cleveland State.
On Saturday, the Alabama A&M football game visited Auburn to take on the Tigers. It was the first time the two teams had ever played.
Coach Anthony Jones' Bulldogs - of the Football Championship Subdivision and the Southwestern Athletic Conference - fell behind 35-0 at the half, but blanked the Tigers in the third quarter and trailed 35-7 before eventually losing 51-7.
Jones cited the experience for his team to not only play a team from the powerful Southeastern Conference, but Auburn was the national champion just two seasons ago.
The A&M marching Maroon and White also performed on the field, receiving a standing ovation from the nearly 75,000 fans after its halftime show.
And perform they did.
Here's the link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMxw48wCtP8&feature=related and
http://youtu.be/MMxw48wCtP8
Congratulations to both universities. You took a step on the big stage of college sports and didn't disappoint.