By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

Chocolate City was full of Howard University students and alumni of all ages as the Washington, D.C.-based HBCU marked its 100th homecoming. However, its perhaps most consequential alumnus – Vice President Kamala Harris, who is poised to make history in her current run for the presidency – was a no-show.

The 2024 Democratic Party presidential nominee was originally scheduled to come to the homecoming with vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. Instead, she penned a letter to her alma mater in recognition of the centennial homecoming celebration. 

“I am honored to extend my warmest greetings to all the students, faculty, staff and fellow alumni of Howard University gathered to celebrate our 100th homecoming,” said Harris in the letter sent to the Hilltop on Oct. 19. 

Entertainment headliners for the centennial celebration included singers Leon Thomas and Coco Jones and rapper Real Boston Richey. But, of course, the marquee attraction was the football game on Oct. 19.

“Homecoming is so welcoming. Whether you’re a current student, former student, alum, or just visiting, Howard finds a way to say hello to you. You really have access to whatever you want in terms of food, party environments, service opportunities and HBCU culture at large,” said 2022 Howard graduate and former student-athlete Michael Codrington.

Alumni from Tennessee State University and Howard came to the capital city to show support for their football teams in a sold out homecoming matchup between the Tigers and the Bison.

The visiting Tennessee State Tigers would defeat the Howard Bison in the matchup, 27-14. At the end of the third quarter, the Bison only trailed by six points after running back Eden James ran in for a 2-yard touchdown. However, on the ensuing kickoff, return man CJ Evans ran back a 99-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 27-14. Neither team scored points in the fourth quarter and that would end up being the final score.

Junior wide receiver Karate Brenson led the way with 153 receiving yards for the Tigers, and Howard running back Jarrett Hunter had 102 yards and a touchdown for the Bison. Defensively, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) preseason defensive player of the year Kenny Gallop Jr. finished the game with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss. For Tennessee State, defensive backs Jalen McClendon and Tyler Jones both had an interception.

With the loss, the Bison fall to 3-4 on the season. Tennessee State improves to 6-2 on the season, with a 3-1 conference record. This is the Tigers’ best start under head coach Eddie George. Howard will begin MEAC conference play on Oct. 26 against Norfolk State.

“Homecoming was full of celebration and a sense of community.  The events, from the game to spending time on the yard, felt like home as an alum,” said Rhonda Biscette, a 1990 graduate of Howard. “The 100th homecoming made it even more special. The environment represented a sense of pride and the reputation we hold as ‘The Mecca.’”

The post Howard falls in centennial homecoming game appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

The Howard Bison remain undefeated in the HBCU NY Classic as they overpowered the Morehouse Tigers, 35-21. The neutral site game was held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sept. 14. 

The reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champions controlled all three facets of the game, proving to be especially dominant on special teams and in the run game. 

New Jersey native and freshman running back Anthony Reagan Jr. ran the opening kickoff back close to midfield and the Bison took advantage of the field position. Wide receiver Se’Quan Osbourne and freshman tight end Ke’Untae Mosley each scored the first touchdowns of their collegiate careers, and the Bison went into halftime with a 21-7 lead. 

“The Classic is a great experience for the fans and also us as athletes to come together and celebrate Black culture and also be on a big platform where we have more exposure to showcase our talent,” said starting senior cornerback Xavier Robiou, who has played in the HBCU NY Classic all three years.

Coming out of halftime, the Bison would score another touchdown, giving the D.C. team a 28-7 lead. The Bison’s lead ballooned up to 28 points before the Tigers responded by scoring two touchdown passes late in the fourth quarter. 

Redshirt senior quarterback Jaylen Tolbert started his first game of the season for the Bison and finished with four touchdown passes and one interception. Sophomore quarterback Ja’Shawn Scruggins started the first two games of the season against Rutgers University and Mercyhurst, finishing those first two games with 280 passing yards, 189 rushing yards, one touchdown and one interception. He led the Bison to a 1-1 record. 

“The HBCU Classic was a great experience the first time I went and it was even better this year. The tailgate is always a great time–good food, music, and the overall vibe just from being around current students and alumni. I think it is a great tradition for these two HBCUs to play and clearly the competition gets better and better every year,” said Joshua Pemberton, who attended the game twice as a fan.

In addition to a thrilling game, attendees were treated to a scintillating Battle of the Bands during half time, which was presented by Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. 

And following the game, Jamaican dancehall artist Sean Paul performed some of his chart-topping hits. 

“The ‘fifth quarter’ ended up being a surprise performance from Sean Paul and that ended the night perfectly,” said Pemberton. “All in all I think it’s a great event for everyone of all ages and I’ll be back again next year.” 

With the newest victory, the Bison improve to 2-1 while the Tigers drop to 0-3. The Bison will travel back to the nation’s capital to face their rival Hampton Pirates in the Truth and Service Classic on Sept. 21 at Audi Field. The Maroon Tigers will fly to Chicago to play the Kentucky State Thorobreds. The Morehouse Maroon Tigers are expected to join Howard in the MEAC in the near future, according to associate athletic director for operations at Howard University, Nicholas Latham.

The post Howard dominates Morehouse in third straight HBCU NY Classic victory appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By John Celestand 
Word in Black

John Celestand is the program director of the Knight x LMA BloomLab, a $3.2 million initiative that supports the advancement and sustainability of local Black-owned news publications. He is a former freelance sports broadcaster and writer who covered the NBA and college basketball for multiple networks such as ESPN Regional Television, SNY, and Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia. John was a member of the 2000 Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship Team, playing alongside the late great Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. He currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife and son. Credit: Courtesy photo 

Back in early March, in a statement released on social media, legendary Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith blasted his alma mater, the University of Florida, for eliminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion program. Smith warned minority athletes at Florida to “please be aware and vocal” about the decision the university was making, which in essence meant closing the doors on students of color. 

A few days later, NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson asked “current and prospective” student-athletes to “reconsider any potential decision to attend, and compete at a predominantly white institution in the state of Florida.” He pointed out that “these institutions reap considerable financial benefits from the very individuals they fail to stand by in matters of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”  

So, should Black athletes refuse to attend schools that defund DEI? 

After all, today’s athletes command major coin when it comes to NIL (name, image, and likeness) dollars. Their ability to enter the portal and transfer to other universities without repercussion could, if leveraged correctly, have a tremendous influence on how universities handle DEI.

The question came up again this week for me after news broke that the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, plans to divert the school’s entire $2.3M DEI budget toward public safety and policing. 

Basically, UNC “said that the opposite of funding DEI programming is funding police,” writer, researcher, and Harvard Kennedy fellow Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman wrote on X this week. 

North Carolina brought in nearly $123 million in revenue from athletics in 2022. If every Black athlete at the school refused to play until the DEI budget was restored, that would undoubtedly put pressure on the school.

But even though today’s college athletes are in a prime position to effect change around DEI at universities because of their platforms, power, and heavy influence, is this really their responsibility?

Who should stand up for DEI?

“I don’t think it is their responsibility” says Leashia Lewis, assistant athletic director for diversity equity and inclusion at Villanova University.“They have an opportunity to use their platform and voices to make change, but it is also the responsibility of athletic departments to support them in doing that. My question would be, are athletic departments willing to or in a position to support student-athletes when they have something to say or want to fight for change?” 

There’s also the reality that Black athletes of the past were fighting for basic civil rights, which made it easier to think from a collective standpoint. 

“The risk of being a social justice activist and using your platform is different now. Many student-athletes are not willing to take the risk,” Lewis says.

“The risk is playing time, reputation, belief that your coach may see you as an outcast —, especially if you are not the superstar. There is also their personal branding, and NIL deals they may not want to risk. Especially for football and basketball players who have the highest platforms. Some of them are not prepared to take that risk.” 

How did we get here?

The murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, opened a floodgate of pledges to support DEI across corporate America and beyond. Companies and universities jostled to be first in line to beat their chests and voice their support and commitment to increasing opportunities to hire, accept, and retain people from underrepresented, underprivileged, and less advantaged communities.  

I was always skeptical. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. And now it has — falling harder than Humpty Dumpty ever did.

In 2023, Florida, under the leadership of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, became one of the first states to enact a law restricting DEI efforts. It banned the state’s public universities from spending money on DEI initiatives and placed restrictions on how educators could discuss discrimination in mandatory courses. Texas, North Carolina, and North Dakota passed similar bills later in the year. So far in 2024, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Alabama have passed bills that are set to go into effect July 1.  

The University of Texas and Alabama are both ranked in the top five of the AP Top 25 College Football Poll. According to USA Today’s tracking, in 2022, these schools brought in over $239 million and $214 million, respectively.

Translation: Athletes most definitely have some pull. 

Athletes have always been on the frontlines.

Athletes and college students have almost always been on the frontline of change. Many professional athletes, such as Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, Jim Brown, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Colin Kaepernick, Tommie Smith, and John Carlos, took stances but also sacrificed their personal lives and careers. 

“Historically, athletes have used their platforms to speak for justice or to make change and bring attention to injustices that are in our society,” Lewis says.

“Much of the DEI work in athletics right now has existed as a result of athletes speaking up in response to Colin Kaepernick in 2017 taking a knee and also in response to George Floyd being murdered,” she says.

As everyone knows, though, Kaepernick’s football career was destroyed by his decision to protest.

Is this what we are expecting of today’s college athletes?  

What if they are prepared to take that risk? 

“Right now, the climate in college athletics across the country in terms of DEI is not as active as it was in 2020,” Lewis says. “There are other things taking priority now like NIL, the transfer portal, unionizing the student-athlete, and having them be considered employees for the institution.” 

There is no definitive answer to this dilemma. If student-athletes covet their individual earnings and opportunities more than the collective justice for the silent, minoritized, and marginalized communities lacking the power to speak up for themselves, then the conversation about risk doesn’t matter. 

And riddle me this: What would I have done back when I was a student-athlete in the late 1990s if I had a million-dollar NIL deal on the table?  

Would I have sacrificed for the collective? If that were the case, then should I have even been asked to?  

Lewis doesn’t believe so. 

“My call to action is to the ecosystem around them,” she says. “Why do they (athletes) have to risk everything for justice when we’ve talked so much about supporting the whole athlete and that we need to give them everything they need to perform? So, in a sense, this is a performance, and we need to give them everything they need to succeed.”

This article was originally published by Word in Black. 

The post Stop asking Black student- athletes to fix America’s DEI mess appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Deborah Bailey
Contributing Editor

Bowie State University’s 659 spring graduates got a relatable boost of encouragement from hometown heroine and philanthropic champion for underserved communities, Wanda Durant during commencement ceremonies, May 24.   

Durant, known affectionately locally as “Mama” Durant, serves as president of the Durant Family Charitable Foundation and is the mother of Phoenix Suns basketball star Kevin Durant.  Mama Durant treated the audience to a heartfelt exchange, sharing passages from her life’s journey.         

“OK. Let me just be Mama Durant,” she said after pausing from prepared remarks and transitioning flawlessly to an extemporaneous, transparent conversation with Bowie’s graduates.

The audience roared its approval as Durant spent the next 10 minutes in an unscripted dialogue about life as a young single mother, and her raw determination to create a life for her sons that supported success.    

“When I stand here and look at you graduates, I see myself, I see my sons,” Durant said. 

“See, I know what it takes to persevere. I came from the streets of Capitol Heights, Maryland. At the time it was the drug capital of the world,” she said to cheering members of the audience, referencing the small Maryland community bordering northeast and southeast D.C. where she raised her children as a single mother. 

“I had to raise two sons on my own when I was fearful and not knowing who I was or what I had to offer the world.  I had to do what you did and continue to strive on,” Durant said. “I made a promise to them that we were going to have a plan. Not just dreams but a plan attached to it.” 

Durant then transitioned from her family’s story to admonish graduates to live for more than their own success.  

“All of your success is not just for your glory. It’s for you to look back to those coming behind you. Continue to pave the way for them” Durant said.  

Liera Ford from Suitland, Maryland, reflected on her own parents as Durant spoke about the determination needed to encourage her children to succeed.     

“I totally connect with Ms. Durant,” said the newly minted business management bachelor’s degree recipient.  

“I know what it feels like to receive that level of support from your parents. My mom and dad stood up for me every step of the way. I was due to graduate last year, but here I am today and my parents and siblings are here with me. This is a big milestone for me,” said Ford with tears in her eyes. 

Small but significant touches make HBCU graduations unique events. Bowie State graduates were treated to congratulatory messages by both Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Wes Moore. 

Finally, someone is going to make sure graduates are camera ready for their moment to walk across the stage.  At Bowie State, that person is Shinzira Shomade, College of Education retention coordinator and double Bowie State University graduate. 

Shomade straightened collars, buttoned shirts and told graduates to lift their heads high just before they walked on stage to receive their degrees from President Aminta H. Breaux and University Provost Guy Alain Ammousou. 

“It brings me immense pleasure, honor and gratification to participate in the commencement ceremony, preparing our visionaries and change agents for this exciting moment,” Shomade said. 

Breaux announced several major initiatives, scholarships and recognitions received by the campus, including a ribbon cutting this summer of the new Martin Luther King Jr. Communication Arts & Humanities Building. The $159 million facility is scheduled to replace a 50-year-old academic building that currently bears the civil rights leader’s name.    

“If you don’t remember anything else this president said, go out and vote,” Breaux said emphatically. “Go out and vote.”

The post Hometown hero ‘Mama’ Wanda Durant inspires Bowie State University grads appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Mekhi Abbott
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

Howard University’s Sean Wray arrived at the Penn Relays with high expectations and then he delivered with a phenomenal performance during the college men’s long jump, capturing a gold medal with an event-winning leap of 7.33 meters (24 ft, ¾ in). 

He won the event on his third of five attempts in the pit at Franklin Field on April 26.

“Going into the meet I was focused on executing technique,” Wray said. “ Regardless of the results, I was going to be happy as long as I executed.”

Norfolk State long jumper Rodric Cox-Cooper executed too, finishing runner up with a jump of 7.25 (23 ft, 9 ½ in). 

Wray, a two-time Mid-eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) long jump champion, finished second in overall distance if you include the April 27 college championship section. For Wray, he said, it means more being able to represent HBCUs at a historic meet like Penn Relays.

“I’m honored to be able to use my talents to showcase the type of talent HBCUs have… It definitely means more to win and represent HBCUs,” he said. “HBCUs don’t get enough recognition and there is an overall stigma where people think are less than or aren’t on par with Power Five programs. It feels great to challenge that stigma.” 

This marks the third year in a row that a Howard Bison won an event at Penn Relays. Last year, Darci Khan took home a gold watch after winning the women’s 100-meter hurdle championship. In 2022, Howard University graduate and All-American Jessica Wright won her first gold watch after winning the women’s 400-meter hurdles. In 2023, she repeated as the Penn Relays 400-meter hurdles champion.

Howard University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Tennessee State University (TSU) and Saint Augustine’s University all participated in the Penn Relays. Those schools competed against other NCAA Division I universities such as Clemson, Penn State and Navy.

On the women’s side, Nyla Ward of Norfolk State finished second in the women’s long jump and Howard’s Ija Mumford finished in third. Joidon Battle of NCCU finished runner-up and TSU’s Elaina Housworth finished third in the triple jump. 

“HBCUs have a lot of talent to offer, and it’s just time that we stepped up and showed what we can really do,” Mumford said. “As the years have gone by, more and more HBCUs have decided to come to Penn to compete and that just shows that we can compete with any other Division I/Power 5 school. 

“All I’m going to say is be on the lookout for the MEAC and Coastal Athletic Association  because it’s getting very competitive with some very talented athletes!” 

On the track side, Norfolk State senior Kai Cole finished first in the preliminary rounds of the men’s 100 meter dash with a time of 10.29 seconds. Howard’s Ja’leak Perry also made the final with a time of 10.49 seconds. They finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the men’s championship final on April 27. 

Five HBCU athletes made the final in the men’s 110-meter hurdle championship – three Howard Bison and two North Carolina A&T Aggies. NCAT’s Jason Holmes finished second with a time of 13.43 seconds. Howard’s Samuel Bennett finished fourth, Zach Hawkins finished sixth and Otto Laing came in ninth. NCAT’s Thomas Smith took home seventh just breaking under 14 seconds with a time of 13.98. 

Howard’s women’s 4×100 team finished third with a (44.30) behind Ohio State (43.92) and TCU (44.05). The Bison’s quartet included graduate Kailei Collins, junior Tiffani-Rae Pittman and rookies Aiyana Gray-Williams and Mackenzie Robinson. 

During the women’s 4×400 meter college relay on April 27 three HBCU relay teams finished with top-four performances.

 Saint Augustine’s finished as the runner up while Norfolk State and Coppin State finished third and fourth. 

Saint Augustine’s actually holds the Penn Relay record in the event with a time of 3:33.97, set in 1999. 

The post HBCUs perform well at Penn Relays appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Maliik Obee

Special to the AFRO

After Jackson State cornerback Isaiah Bolden became the only Black college player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, there were no players from Historically Black Colleges or Universities called during this year’s draft on April 24-25 in Detroit.

Observers of college football and the NFL were left devastated by the news and what many are calling a lack of respect by NFL owners, coaches and scouts. They point to a recent history of neglect from the league and are demanding answers as to why talented players are consistently overlooked from HBCU institutions.

Morgan State University alum and Sirius XM radio host Donal Ware has devoted his career to HBCU advocacy and created a nationally syndicated sports program to discuss these issues.

“It’s really disappointing,” Ware said. “A travesty really. All of the great talent in HBCU football not just this year, but over the last several years, deserves better than this.”

Days following the conclusion of this year’s draft, more than 20 Black college players have been signed to an undrafted free agent contract, or earned a rookie minicamp invite. 

Still, observers say, the continued marginalization of Black college talent over the past decade-plus continues to be an issue. 

Despite boasting 30-plus Pro Football Hall of Fame recipients from a litany of historically Black institutions across FCS and Division II football, this year marks the second time (2021) in the past-five drafts that no Black college players have heard their name called. 

This comes as a shocking development, following the success of the 2022 class. All four players selected are currently on the rosters of the team that drafted them, with several becoming key contributors.

Fayetteville State cornerback Joshua Williams was selected in the fourth round by the Kansas City Chiefs, after earning an opportunity to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. In two seasons, Williams has played in 33 games, helping the Chiefs to consecutive super bowl championships. 

With the No.142 selection, the Los Angeles Rams selected South Carolina State corner Decobie Durant, who snagged three interceptions as a rookie, before rising to start 9 games in 2023. Jackson State linebacker James Houston IV captured 8 sacks in 7 games as a rookie for the Detroit Lions in 2022, after the sixth round selection started off the year on the practice squad. Seventh round Southern University selection Ja’Tyre Carter was taken by the Chicago Bears to close out the draft at pick No.226. 

After two seasons on the practice squad, Carter looks to rise up Chicago’s depth chart in the third year. Florida A&M safety Markquese Bell was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, showing his versatility by switching positions and rising to starting linebacker in 2023. The University of Maryland transfer recorded 94 combined tackles, 4 pass deflections and 2 forced fumbles across 17 games in his sophomore campaign.

But despite the numbers showing the productivity and success of Black college players granted an opportunity to play in the NFL, the numbers show a regression of chances taken by teams league-wide on draft night. Since 2010, there have been five drafts (2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022) where four Black college players heard their name called on draft night. In every case, fewer players were selected in the following year.

“When 30-40 percent of HBCU players make rosters in the NFL are undrafted free agents, that speaks to the talent level,” Ware said. “It’s up to the league to answer the question as to why HBCU players are not being drafted.”

In 2022, the NFL launched the first-ever HBCU Legacy Bowl, creating a showcase game for the top Black-college talent across FCS and Division II football. The annual game hosted in New Orleans has bridged the gap between old and new, connecting Black college draft hopefuls with legends that were once in their shoes, like Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams and four-time Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Fame wideout John Stallworth. 

Despite a nationally-televised contest sponsored by the league itself, the game has yet to produce any drafted players. 

Interestingly enough, Legacy Bowl participant and former Florida A&M Rattlers wideout Marcus Riley made waves on social media Sund, after signing a 3-year, $2.83million undrafted deal with the New York Jets.

No HBCU players were selected from two of the biggest showcase games for college talent, as the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the Shrine Bowl failed to have any HBCU participants called from the podium. 

After earning a spot on the Senior Bowl roster following several standout seasons for Virginia State University at corner, Willie Drew was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Carolina Panthers on April 27. So were the Shrine Bowl participants, despite standout performances from Grambling defensive end Sundiata Anderson, Alabama State cornerback Mikey Victor, Howard tackle Anim Dankwah and TCU guard (Jackson State transfer) Willis Patrick. All-four players have since agreed to undrafted deals.

Shrine Bowl scout Gerald Huggins Jr., spent his playing days at Virginia Union University, before becoming an assistant coach at Lincoln University. He pointed the issue away from race and focused on the size of the programs. 

“Though I was disappointed in the results of the draft for HBCU prospects,” he said. “The bigger conversation is, if you’re not in a Power 5 conference, then your chances of getting drafted are similar. It’s not an HBCU issue, so that narrative needs to be stopped. HBCUs need to continue to lean on platforms and individuals in spaces that can help with putting their players in better positions to reach the professional level. Getting drafted is fine but the goal is to get into camp.”

Anderson earned a $10,000 signing bonus in an agreed deal with the Seattle Seahawks, while Victor earned a $3,000 bonus from the New England Patriots. The guaranteed money points to an urgency for teams to secure talent amid the chaos of the undrafted market, yet does nothing to quell the fears of Black college talent who hope to see their NFL dreams come true. 

With the NCAA transfer portal continuing to become a bigger component in roster building, observers say the lack of crossover for HBCU talent may be a troubling sign for current players and potential recruits in the future.

Overall, 11 FCS players were selected in the 2024 draft, along with just one Division II player. The number is a dropoff from the 20 FCS names called in 2022. 

Between 2010-2018, there were 15-plus FCS players selected in 7-of-8 drafts. Since 2019, there have been two seasons with less than 10 players called. 

As more of the top HBCU players hope to receive a call for a rookie minicamp invite or undrafted deal, the growing neglect to draft small school talent continues to become a growing issue that could have troubling effects on Black college football in the future without immediate attention.

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By Ariyana Griffin
Special to the AFRO

Morgan State University’s acrobatics and tumbling team held its inaugural season this year, becoming the first NCAA Division I program at a Historically Black University or College. MSU became the third school in Maryland to offer the sport.

The Bears finished with an overall record of 2-4 in their first season. Their roster consists of 26 female athletes, mostly first year students, who were recruited by Morgan’s head coach Regina Smith.

Smith said she looks for specific skill sets in recruiting talent and hasn’t opened tryouts due to the necessary physical, technical skillset and mental capacity needed to compete. 

“Because of how intense our sport is, the students are definitely hand-selected,” she said.

“Most of our competition is dedicated to the space of mental capacity and having that and mental health is a key factor.”

Makaya Stubbs is a freshman classified as a junior due to taking dual enrollment courses in. She is a health education major with a concentration in physical therapy from Douglasville, Ga. She said life on the team has been an adjustment.  

Stubbs grew up participating in recreational cheer and tumbling and competitive cheer during high school. A friend introduced her to Morgan’s program. 

She originally thought the sport would be easy due to her extensive background in cheer and tumbling. 

“I’ve done cheer, tumbling, stunts, flipping in the air. ‘This is gonna be a piece of cake,’” she said. “That was far from the truth. It was hard but it was very rewarding at the same time, learning all the new skills and seeing how similar it was to cheer but also gymnastics.”

Smith was previously a coach for acrobatics and tumbling, starting in a NCAA Division III program in Adrian, Michigan. She has also served as a head cheerleading coach, head dance coach and spirit coordinator at the collegiate level. She came to Morgan in 2022 specifically to coach the sport. 

“I came for the sheer fact of being able to provide opportunity for people of color, especially young women,” she said. “We don’t always have the same experience at other division one institutions, so being able to have that opportunity here at Morgan State is what attracted me to the position.”

Smith leads her team on the mat, but considers academics essential for each student athlete. The team has mandatory study hours and must maintain a 2.7 grade point average to compete and travel. 

“Our team GPA was like a 3.2 from the fall semester, we expect it to be higher from in the spring semester,” Smith said. “They are student-athletes.”

Morgan State’s all-Black team is working to diversify a majority-white the sport. 

“Usually when you look up acrobatics and tumbling, it’s predominantly White, all you see is a whole bunch of White females doing tumbling and stunting,” Stubbs said. “So when you look at Morgan it looks completely different because we are an all-Black team so people expect less of us because of the color of our skin. So I think coming to Morgan really showed people that we can do it, too. We can be just as good and maybe even better than other teams.”

Riley Davidson, a freshman psychology major from Clinton Township, Michigan expressed that it is important for HBCUs to broaden their sports programs. 

“I think it’s really good because I know a lot of these girls have very limited choices and it allows girls who look like me to do what they love,” she said.. “I feel like in predominantly White spaces, sometimes you don’t get appreciated the same way and you don’t get the same opportunities.”

Davidson said when she began her journey looking for colleges, she knew she wanted to be apart of an acrobatics team. 

“I really wanted to go to an HBCU because I didn’t grow up in that type of environment,” she said. “I grew up going to predominantly White schools and not really being with people who look like me, especially in my sport.”

The team visited the White House during Women’s History Month for an exclusive East Wing Tour, and were the first NCATA (National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association)  team to ever receive the honor. 

“I’m blessed to be able to say that I was able to have this experience with these young talented women and make history. We also came on the last day of Women History Month and that just spoke volumes,” Smith said.  For [the White House] to repost our post … was just another level of elevation on what these young athletes bring to Morgan State.”

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By Ariyana Griffin 
Special to the AFRO

Howard University partnered with Spotify to host a listening session April 16 on the Washington, D.C. campus to highlight the launch of “1619: The College Edition” podcast,  in which students unpack what they have gleaned from their study of “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story,” under the direction of its author, Pulitzer Prize winner, Emmy winner and investigative reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones.

Kristen Jarrett, Spotify’s lead on its equity, diversity and impact team and its NextGen program, explained that the collaboration between Spotify and Hannah-Jones flourished from an unsolicited email.  

“Believe it or not, it was a bit of a cold email to Professor Hannah-Jones to see if she was interested in collaborating, and she said yes. From there it was listening to her and what she was interested in doing with her students,” said Jarrett. “We allowed her to guide us in terms of what she wanted to do, and then it was working with her students, delivering equipment and providing guidance.  From there we were able to co-create this beautiful piece of content. I say co-create very loosely; her students really created this podcast and we were just happy to be a part of supporting the process.” 

Spotify’s program NextGen provides students with the resources and support they need to activate and grow podcast culture on campuses. In the past, the program has been on Spelman College’s campus as well as other universities such as New York University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California. NextGen is supported by their Creator Equity Fund, which seeks to “uplift creators who have historically been underrepresented in the audio industry.”

At the April 16 event, Spotify also presented a $10,000 scholarship to sophomore journalism major Karys Hylton, one of the students who participated in the course and in the development of the podcast.

The course that Hannah-Jones teaches at Howard University, where she is the Knight Chair in Race and Journalism, is titled after her award-winning book, “The 1619 Project.” Students who take the course and study the material are required to write an essay taking a deep dive into history on a topic they pitch and get approved.

Those essays then were developed into the student-led podcast. Three episodes were produced by students working in groups under the topics, “Principles of Drip,” “Color Theory” and “Queer Seminar.” The series allowed Howard students to “apply their own unique lens to what they learned from studying the 1619 Project and make surprising, compelling and critical connections to the ways that slavery still impacts their lives and ours,” according to a description of the podcast.

Hannah-Jones shared that she was excited for the opportunity to partner with Spotify and give her students the opportunity to dig deeper into history and share what they’ve learned.

“The podcast is based on the basic formula of the ‘1619 Project,’ which is that slavery in its legacy is shaping our society in all of the ways that we don’t think about,” said Hannah-Jones. “I hope it leads us to ask more questions, to think deeper about the way we treat Black people, the way that we think Black Americans are, and that we have a better understanding of ourselves, and that people who aren’t Black have a better understanding of us.” 

She explained that most of the students had no previous script writing experience, but they all were dedicated to producing something the world could learn something from. 

“When they came into the podcasting course, most had never written a podcast script, had never done podcast production, had never actually done the type of reporting that I required,” said Hannah-Jones. “I made them interview scholars, I made them find archival clips. They had to produce ambient sound. There were elements that each podcast had to incorporate.” 

She said she believes each student walked away with new reporting skills and an ear for audio narrative. 

Zoe Cummings, a sophomore honors journalism major and Spanish minor, said when she saw the “1619”  course offering, she didn’t know what it was but she knew that she would learn and grow under Hannah- Jones. And, she took away an important lesson.. 

“I realized for the first time that I was learning how to be American,” she said. “I was learning how to hold my Blackness in one hand and my Americanness in another and understand that the two things aren’t that different. And professor Jones gave me that.”

Cummings, who produced the “Principles of Drip” episode, shared that the episode was important because she originally wrote the essay it was curated from. “Drip,” in urban vernacular, refers to something or someone that is “cool,” is stylish or has a high element of “swag.” It is a quality she strongly associates with her D.C.-based campus and HBCU students in general, she said.

“When it was time to create this into a podcast we had to bring it to the yard; we had to bring it to Howard Homecoming; we had to bring it to y’all,” said Cummings. “I don’t know about y’all, but I have never seen anyone more ‘drippy’ than a Howard University student.”

Jacob Smith, a junior television and film major with a minor in theatre arts stage management, worked on “Color Theory” as an editor. The episode takes a look at colorism in the Black community and its roots.

 “What we really wanted to do was dive into the innate biases that even probably some at this school had, and talk about how those biases and those beliefs, this ideology comes from an institution of White supremacy and slavery all throughout,” said Smith.

“Queer Seminar,” produced by Trinity Webster-Bass, a junior honors podcast journalism major and Afro-American studies minor,  is a combination of two essays: one based on discrimination against queer individuals and how it dates back to slavery; and the other on the origins of ballroom culture. The podcast highlights O’Shea Sibley, a 28-year-old queer man who was murdered after performing “voguing” – a highly stylized dance which grew out of the 1960s Harlem ballroom scene, in which dancers mimic fashion models’ poses – at a Brooklyn gas station. The students were able to interview and feature one of his best friends, who was there that tragic night. Through the trauma that lies within the community, the podcast and students also wanted to highlight its beauty.

“We wanted to show all the creativity, all the love, all the passion that exists within the Black queer community,” said Webster-Bass. 

Hannah-Jones expressed that she was so excited to be able to provide resources like this to her students. 

“This is why I came to a place like Howard to be able to work with students and help them get these types of resources,” she said.

“The NextGen partnership with Spotify is so important because we know that HBCUs have no lack of talent, no lack of ambition, no lack of brilliance. These students are some of the hardest working students in America,” added Hannah-Jones. “What they often lack is resources. They’re often overlooked. They don’t often have this—the type of connections to corporations. They don’t have the type of dollars to be able to, for instance, create a podcasting lab on campus or to have access to those types of courses.”

The event allowed the audience to hear some clips from the episodes as well as hear from the students and their creative process. Spotify gifted everyone who attended bluetooth mics to help support those who are interested or want to get into audio or content creation. 

Spotify NextGen is looking forward to continuing the expansion of  the program across more HBCU campuses in the future. Listeners can find the podcast on Spotify by creating a free account and searching for “1619: The College Edition.”

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By AFRO Staff

Morgan Price’s name is now etched into the history books.

The Fisk University gymnast on April 12 won the all-around title at the 2024 USAG Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Nationals held in West Chester, Pennsylvania, making her the first gymnast from a historically Black college or university to claim the championship.

“It feels good because of the hard work that has been put in,” said Price in a statement. “Honestly, I didn’t know where I would place but it was a pleasant surprise. I have heard from a lot of people so far. I am still trying to take all this in.”

The athlete garnered scores of 9.850 on the floor exercise, 9.850 on the vault, 9.8 on the bars and 9.750 on the balance beam, giving her an overall score of 39.225 to clinch the victory. She will compete for individual titles in the bars, vault and floor exercise events on April 14.

Price had a rich source of inspiration in her head coach, Corrine Tarver. In 1989, the 56-year-old became the first African American woman to win the All-Around Gymnastics Championship while representing the University of Georgia. Now, she can add coaching a history-making champion to her accolades.

“This moment is all about Morgan,” said Tarver when she was asked about her title. “I am extremely proud of the dedication she has to her craft. I am anticipating her doing well in the individuals.”

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By Edward G. Robinson III
AFRO Contributing Sports Editor 

As confetti rained down upon her, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley raised her arms to the sky – a national television audience watched on as she, her team and assistant coaches basked in the moment.

“We all know she loves confetti,” ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe said as Staley looked to the heavens and then doubled over in exasperation on the floor of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.

Staley and her team seized this moment to celebrate a season full of accomplishments that culminated in a 87-75 victory over Iowa – and its wunderkind guard Caitlin Clark – to capture a NCAA Division I national championship on April 7.

Tears rolled down Staley’s face as she described the improbable run her No. 1-ranked team made this season – finishing with an undefeated record (38-0).

The Gamecocks are the 10th team in Division I history to claim a perfect season.

“You have to let young people be who they are,” Staley explained. “But you have to guide them and help navigate them through this tough, tough world. When young people lock in and have a belief and have a trust … this is what can happen.

“They made history. They etched their names in the history books. When this is the most unlikely group to do it,” she said in news interviews immediately after the win. 

The Gamecocks fended off Clark – who scored a game-high 30 points and stands as the NCAA Division I career leading scorer with 3,951 points – to collect the program’s third championship in five seasons.

They did so after losing five starters from a team that lost to Iowa in the tournament last season. This time, though, the Gamecocks were led by 6-foot-7 senior center Kamilla Cardoso – the Final Four’s most valuable player – who scored 15 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. 

South Carolina freshman Tessa Johnson scored a team-high 19 points, while the Gamecocks’ bench outscored Iowa 37-0. 

They also outrebounded the Haweyes 51-29.

Staley became the fifth coach to win at least three national championships – standing with Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey and Tara VanDerveer.

She became the first black coach to win three NCAA titles and first Division I black coach to go undefeated in a season.

“I’m super proud,” she said. “It’s awesome. It’s unbelievable.”

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By Maliik Obee
Special to the AFRO

Spring football is underway across the country, as teams look to prepare for the 2024-25 collegiate season. With an opportunity to build on its in-state connection, the Morgan State welcomed Maryland to Hughes Stadium for a split-practice on April 6 in honor of “Baltimore Day,” recognized each year on April 10. The day is special because the April 10 date matches the area’s “410” area code when written numerically as “4/10.” 

Morgan State Coach Damon Wilson and Maryland Coach Mike Locksley are both natives of the Washington D.C. area, with Wilson starring as an All-CIAA tight end for Bowie State; and Locksley playing defensive back at Towson University (1988-1991) before joining the coaching staff in 1992. In-addition to sharing over two decades in coaching experience and a beltway connection, the two agreed on an idea to bring Locksley’s Football Bowl Subdivision program to Wilson’s historically-black campus to share the field with a rising Football Championship Subdivision program.

This practice marked day six of spring work for the Bears, who finished 4-6 in 2023, despite a defense that tied (Florida A&M) for the seventh-fewest touchdowns allowed (26) in 2023. Locksley’s Terrapins finished 7-5 in the regular season, before capturing a 31-13 victory over Auburn in the Transperfect Music City Bowl. 

The two teams split their sessions, with Morgan taking the field in the morning, and Maryland practicing in the afternoon. Yet the day symbolized much more than a random invite for a big-name program to practice at a black college. The inaugural event entitled “Baltimore Day” helped shorten the one-hour distance between the two universities for the football world  and local community.

“Having UMD come practice with us is major,” Morgan State senior Josh Graham said. “Especially for them to come from the   conference and their exposure, it shows that we are making some noise around the state. We just have to make noise worldwide. It’s a tall task, but I know we have everything we need to do what we said we want to do.”

The transfer portal has made it easier for players at different levels of collegiate football to move up or down, finding the best fit for themselves as student-athletes and individuals. 

This event provided a glimpse into Wilson’s budding program – and a history lesson about a team that boasts four inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (Len Ford, Leroy Kelly, Willie Lanier, Rose Brown). 

It also served as a reminder of the deep roots of the Morgan coaching staff, and its desire to keep local talent in the state. 

It was Wilson and Bears defensive coordinator Antoine Sewell, both former stars on the football field for Bowie State, who joined forces as coaches to win three CIAA Championships (2018,2019, 2021) and make six NCAA Division II playoff appearances between 2015-2021. The event gave local high school talent from across Baltimore City and its neighboring counties a chance to see two of the best programs in the area at work.

Morgan hit the field with intention and purpose, with the sound of pads popping and echoing throughout the stadium. 

Graduate student and wideout Anthony James Jr. is one of several Bears to play elsewhere before joining the program, spending time at Marshall University. The Prince George’s County native (Potomac High) caught 20 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown in 2023, as he looks to help the Bears claim the MEAC crown. James reflected on the opportunity to share the field with Maryland, and his thoughts on Morgan’s growth.

“I liked that Maryland came down to Morgan,” he said. “I think it’s always good to see the community come together. Over (the course of) my time here, I feel that the team is really becoming one, and we are getting one percent better everyday.”

The Bears remained on the field following their practice, serving as a gracious host. As the coaches and players shared words and posed for photos, the two Under Armour-sponsored programs helped usher in a new possible tradition for two major programs, in a city rich in football and culture.

“I appreciate Coach Wilson and Morgan State for partnering with us for Baltimore Day,” Locksley said in a statement released prior to the practice. “The Baltimore community means so much to both Maryland and Morgan so we’re thrilled to come together for this. We have so many loyal alumni and fans in the Baltimore area so to be able to provide an easy way for them to get out and watch us practice is important.”

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By Doug Feinberg,
AP Basketball Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) — Dawn Staley and South Carolina completed their perfect season, ending Caitlin Clark’s historic college career with an 87-75 win over Iowa in the NCAA championship game April 7.

With Staley directing a relentless attack from the sideline, the Gamecocks (38-0) became the 10th Division I team to go through a season without a loss. And they accomplished the feat after they lost all five starters from last season’s team that lost to Clark’s squad in the national semifinals.

“It doesn’t always end like you want it to end, much like last year. But my freshies are at the top of my heart because they wanted this. It’s awesome. …. It’s awesome. It’s awesome. It’s unbelievable,” Staley said. “When young people lock in and have a belief, and have a trust, and their parents have that same trust, this is what can happen. They made history. They etched their names in the history books.”

Clark did all she could to lead the Hawkeyes to their first championship. She scored 30 points, including a championship-record 18 in the first quarter. She will go down as one of the greatest players in NCAA history. She rewrote the record book at Iowa (34-5), finishing as the career leading scorer in NCAA Division I history with 3,951 career points.

She hopes her legacy isn’t defined by falling short in two NCAA championship games, but more by the millions of new fans she helped bring into the game and the countless young girls and boys that she inspired.

“I think the biggest thing is it’s really hard to win these things, I think I know that better than most people by now, to be so close twice really hurts,” Clark said.

As the final buzzer sounded, a stoic Clark walked off the court, through the confetti, and into the tunnel heading to the locker room.

“I personally want to thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport,” Staley said. “She’s going to lift that league (WNBA) up as well. Caitlin Clark if you’re out there you’re one of the GOATs of our game. We appreciate you.”

South Carolina has won three titles in the last eight years, including two of the past three, to lay claim to being the latest dynasty in women’s basketball. Staley became the fifth coach to win at least three national championships, joining Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey and Tara VanDerveer.

The Gamecocks, who have won 109 of their last 112 games, became the first team since UConn in 2016 to go undefeated. South Carolina had a couple scares throughout the season, but always found a way to win.

With most of the team returning next year — except for star center Kamilla Cardoso — Staley’s team is in a good position to keep this run going.

Tessa Johnson led South Carolina with 19 points. Cardoso, the NCAA tourney’s Most Outstanding Player, had 15 points and 17 rebounds.

“Kamilla Cardoso was not going to let us lose a game in the NCAA Tournament,” Staley said. “She played through an injury, she played like one of the top picks in the WNBA draft, and her teammates did something that no teammates have done for somebody who went to the WNBA in our program. They send her off as a national champion. So this is history for us.”

Led by the 6-foot-7 Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins, South Carolina enjoyed a 51-29 rebounding advantage. It also finished with 30 second-chance points.

The Gamecocks also showed off their impressive depth. Johnson helped the team to a 37-0 difference in points by reserves.

South Carolina trailed 46-44 late in the second quarter before going on an 11-0 run spanning halftime to open a 55-46 advantage early in the third quarter. Clark finally ended the run with a layup.

The Hawkeyes closed to 59-55 and had a chance to get even closer, but Hannah Stuelke missed a wide-open layup on a brilliant pass from Clark.

South Carolina responded with the next eight points, including two 3-pointers. The Gamecocks, who were 4 for 20 from behind the 3-point line during last season’s Final Four loss to Iowa, went 8 for 19 from deep against the Hawkeyes this time around.

The Gamecocks were up 68-59 after the third. They led 76-64 early in the fourth before back-to-back 3s by Clark and Gabbie Marshall got Iowa within six.

Iowa was down 80-75 after a three-point play by Sydney Affolter with 4:12 left. That would be the last point the Hawkeyes would score as South Carolina got the last seven of the game.

Clark checked out with 20 seconds left when Iowa coach Lisa Bluder subbed in fellow senior Molly Davis, who hadn’t played since she got hurt in the regular-season finale against Ohio State.

Unlike the semifinals, when Clark struggled against UConn’s defense, she got going early against South Carolina. Clark scored 13 straight points for Iowa after the Hawkeyes jumped out to a 7-0 lead, including another logo 3-pointer, to help her school to a 20-9 advantage by the first media timeout.

South Carolina cut it to 22-20 with 1:30 left in the period before Clark scored the final five points, including a 3-pointer over Cardoso. Clark’s 18 points in the opening quarter set a championship game record, surpassing the 16 that Jasmine Carson of LSU had last year against the Hawkeyes.

She only had three points in the second quarter, hitting a 3-pointer with 1:53 left in the period. 

Meanwhile the Gamecocks used their depth and inside dominance to get back in the game. Cardoso had 11 points and seven rebounds in the opening 20 minutes.

The Gamecocks trailed 46-44 in the final minute when Te-Hina PaoPao hit a 3-pointer and Raven Johnson stole the ball from Clark near midcourt and went in for a layup. South Carolina led 49-46 at the half.

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By Doug Feinberg
AP Basketball Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) — Dawn Staley did a masterful job guiding a young South Carolina team back to the Final Four with an undefeated record for the second straight season.

Staley was honored April 4 as The Associated Press women’s college basketball Coach of the Year for the second time. She received 27 votes from the 35-member national media panel that votes on the AP Top 25 each week. She also won the award in 2020.

Staley joins an elite group of coaches that include Geno Auriemma (9), Muffet McGraw (4), Kim Mulkey (3) and Brenda Frese (2) who have won the AP award multiple times since it was first given in 1995.

Lindsay Gottlieb of Southern California, Felisha Legette-Jack of Syracuse and Scott Rueck of Oregon State tied for second with two votes each. Voting was done before the NCAA Tournament.

“I don’t coach to win awards, I really don’t,” Staley said. “I’m very, very satisfied with just being there for my players. … I’m forever indebted to basketball for what it’s given to me.”

Staley, who was presented the award alongside AP Player of the Year Caitlin Clark, thanked her own staff for all of their hard work helping the team go undefeated again.

South Carolina faces North Carolina State on April 5 in a national semifinal and is the overwhelming favorite to win its second title in three years and third overall, all since 2017. The Gamecocks are two wins away from completing the 10th undefeated season in NCAA Division I history.

“We had our fair share of rocky in the beginning and then as we continued throughout the season, the road got a little smoother and then obviously you’re going to face some adversity throughout the season, and this team being undefeated really is a shocker to me,” Staley said this week.

Staley has rebuilt the program into a power since she arrived in 2008 and last year’s team was expected to add another championship until Iowa knocked off the Gamecocks in the Final Four. This season, Staley had to replace her entire starting lineup and still guided them back to the semifinals for a fourth consecutive year.

She’s built a fanbase that has led the nation in attendance the past 10 years and in 2021 the school announced a new, seven-year contract that will pay her $2.9 million this season and grow to $3.5 million in the final season of 2027-28. She said then the $22.4 million deal should make an impact and perhaps lead to equity in the men’s and women’s games.

Along the way, Staley has become a voice of leadership and direction in the women’s game. The former point guard is already the first Black coach to win two NCAA titles — success that has given Staley the platform to champion issues off the court. She continues to speak out about gender equity, diversity and opportunities for women.

___

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By Ariyana Griffin,
Special to the AFRO

Howard University’s athletic director, Kery Davis, has been selected as a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). This prestigious accomplishment for an athletic director is the first for the university. 

Davis has made improvements to the athletic department since joining in 2015. Under his leadership, the Bison have won 31 conference or national championships, led by women’s volleyball’s six conference championships, including five in a row from 2015 to 2019. 

The 2023 athletic season was indeed a comprehensive championship year for the Bison on the fields of competition. They swept the MEAC’s (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) highest honors by winning the 2022-2023 MEAC All Sports honors, the Talmadge Hill Men’s All Sports and the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All Sports awards. 

Davis remains heavily hands on, now the MEAC’s sixth athletic director, he also currently serves as chair of the MEAC Football and Television committees, and sits on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee, NCAA Legends and Legacy Selection Committee, and NCAA Basketball Rules Committee. He also gives his time to various initiatives with conference staff and league officials. 

“It’s extremely gratifying and humbling to see the tremendous work and the achievements of Kery being recognized through this prestigious award,” said Sonja Stills, Commissioner of the mhid-Eastern Athletic Conference. “He is a true example of excellence in leadership. I’m grateful that he leads one of our elite eight institutions during a period of extraordinary achievement, both athletically and academically.” 

It is important to Davis that student-athletes are prepared on and off the court. He has helped students to reach academic success and has since won awards for graduation rates and for students having the highest department GPA. Howard has 500 student athletes and 21 collegiate sports, making it the most sports available out of all HBCUs.

“Kery provides tremendous value, not only to Howard University and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, but the impact his work has on the student-athletes, on his campus, across our league, and the nation exceeds the boundaries of one school and one conference,” Stills said. “We are truly fortunate to have him as a part of the MEAC Nation.”

He not only works to ensure student athletes walk across the stage, but he is also responsible for making sure they are fashionable on campus. In recent years, Howard became one of six HBCUs to sign a direct partnership with Jordan Brand for football and basketball. 

The partnership has brought facility enhancements, exclusive merchandise and apparel. Howard has also merged with sponsorship deals with national brands, including AT&T, Rocket Mortgage, Nissan, Mielle Organics, and Nuna Baby, Inc.

The improvement, growth and development in the department under Davis’ leadership is what the university calls a “renaissance of Bison Athletics.”

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The Associated Press

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Jordan Hairston scored 18 points and Bryce Harris and Seth Towns each scored 16 points as Howard beat Delaware State 70-67 on March 16 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament championship to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.

Harris’ jump shot broke a 60-all tie with 4:18 remaining and the Bison led for the remainder but not without late drama.

Hairston made two free throws with six seconds left for a 70-66 lead. Off the inbounds, Delaware State’s Deywilk Tavarez dribbled at a full sprint up the floor and with 2.2 seconds launched a 3-point attempt and was fouled by Jelani Williams.

Tavarez made the first foul shot, missed the second, and his attempt to deliberately miss the third for a desperation rebound and 3-point heave attempt failed when his shot attempt ricocheted off the backboard and failed to touch the rim. Howard inbounded to end the game.

Marcus Dockery scored 15 points for fourth-seeded Howard (18-16), which is headed to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight year for the first time in school history. Howard upset top-seeded Norfolk State on its way to the championship game.

Jevin Muñiz scored 24 points and Martaz Robinson 16 for the sixth-seeded Hornets (15-18) which saw its improbable MEAC run end.

The Hornets last beat Howard on March 5, 2020. Delaware State entered having beaten second-seeded North Carolina Central and third-seeded South Carolina State.

The Hornets were seeking their first conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth since 2005. Delaware State ended the regular season having lost four of five games.

The Bison were without Dom Campbell, Shy Odom, Ose Okojie and AJ Magbegor due to injuries. For the season, Howard’s rotation players missed a total of 78 games which was among the top five in the country.

Howard led 40-34 at halftime on the strength of 8-for-17 shooting from 3-point range. With the exception of a 2-0 deficit the Bison led for 19:09 of the first 20 minutes. Towns’ layup with 3:59 left before halftime gave Howard a 33-23 lead, the only double-digit lead either team held.

Towns — a 26-year-old, eighth-year senior — has had a career marred by injury. His playing career started at Harvard in 2016-17 before the Columbus, Ohio, native transferred to Ohio State beginning a series of season-ending injuries before transferring to Howard.

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Student athletes, coaches and basketball fans from around the country flooded the downtown Baltimore area Feb. 26 to March 3 as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament returned to Charm City. 

The men of Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University beat out Fayetteville State 54-51, capturing the men’s 2024 CIAA title, while the ladies of Fayetteville State battled Elizabeth City State University, 64-59, ultimately taking the title. 

While most of the action took place on the court at CFG Bank Arena, a spotlight was also shone on Baltimore’s Black dining scene. The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, in collaboration with the Baltimore Local Host Committee, held the Black-Owned Restaurant Tour for the third time to encourage fans to patronize Black businesses. 

“Every night was packed, especially on the weekends,” said Chris Simon, co-owner of the Outkrowd Group, which operates Baltimore restaurants Prim and Proper and Blk Swan. “Blk Swan was the landing spot for people after they finished bouncing around during the day. We definitely felt a surge in business because of that.” 

Simon said his sales surged during the eight days of the tournament. 

Both Prim and Proper and Blk Swan had several buyouts for private parties from alumni of schools competing in the competition, like Bowie State University. The rentals substantially added to the restaurants’ revenue for the week, according to Simon. 

“I think Baltimore is a great city for CIAA,” said Simon. “I really like how people were purposeful about supporting Black businesses while being here to support HBCUs.” 

In 2023, CIAA brought 38,450 fans to CFG Bank Arena. The tournament, which showcases premier teams from historically, Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), generated an economic impact of $29.6 million, up from $19.6 million in 2022.

“We almost doubled in economic impact year over year, and the city of Baltimore really stepped up and did a tremendous job with signage and other activities,” said Al Hutchinson, CEO and president of Visit Baltimore.

This year, months before the tournament, CIAA advertisements began to build excitement for the tournament via digital billboards strategically placed on buildings along high-traffic areas in the downtown area. 

Before returning to Baltimore in 2021, the CIAA Tournament ran in Charlotte, N.C. for 15 years. According to CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker, its stint left behind more than $600 million for the city and state. 

Since being in Baltimore, she said the CIAA has had an intentional impact on minority- and women-owned businesses. McWilliams-Parker said Baltimore hotel bookings were full, and ticket sales went well for the 2024 tournament. The competition created more than 1,000 jobs this year, according to McWilliams-Parker. 

She also noted the plethora of incentives for Black entrepreneurs. 

“We have opportunities for our minority- and women-owned businesses to get engaged and make some revenue themselves,” said McWilliams-Parker. “Over the last couple of years, Visit Baltimore has been able to capture over a $1 million for , which we haven’t been able to do in the past. That’s one area I’m really proud about.” 

According to Hutchinson, Visit Baltimore partnered with 180 small, Black-owned businesses during the 2023 CIAA Tournament. Over the course of the competition, nearly $1.2 million was spent with the establishments.

Hutchinson was happy to once again engage the Black business community through the Black-Owned Restaurant Tour. 

“Last year, we had eight Black-owned restaurants. This year, 14 Black-owned restaurants a part of the tour,” said Hutchinson. “This is one way we can celebrate Black-owned businesses and push the fan base and our residents to celebrate these Black-owned restaurants.” 

Simon’s two restaurants participated in the tour. He said he looks forward to the visitors that come from near and far each year.

“CIAA has had a tremendous impact on our business as it brings a bunch of out-of-towners to the area for an HBCU sporting event with many of them looking to patronize Black-owned restaurants,” said Simon. “We consistently see a spike in sales throughout the week of CIAA.” 

Aside from CIAA’s financial impact on Baltimore, Hutchinson said the tournament elevates the city’s brand. Visit Baltimore invites potential conference organizers to the event to demonstrate Baltimore’s ability to host large events. 

He added that the competition contributes to the city’s broader tourism industry, which he identified as Baltimore’s third largest economic sector. Many depend on the industry for employment, according to Hutchinson. 

“If not for travel and tourism, a lot of folks would not be employed in this community,” said Hutchinson. “I think it’s very important and it should be celebrated. The CIAA helps all of us keep our jobs.”

Megan Sayles is a Report For America corps member. 

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By Stephanie Harper,
Special to the AFRO

Events surrounding the CIAA Tournament provided the fun Charm City needed the week of Feb. 26 – March 3. The return of the competition marked the fourth year Baltimore hosted the event. The men’s and women’s basketball tournament for historically black colleges and universities in the NCAA Division II was held at the CFG Bank Arena in downtown Baltimore.

While fans attended the tournament to support their favorite schools, others participated in events, expos, cultural activities and enjoyed countless other free resources inside of the Baltimore Convention Center. 

The CIAA Tournament expanded its presence this year throughout Baltimore. 

This event has become a celebration of success, family and culture. The nuances of Baltimore and the subcultures are only strengthened during CIAA weekend, as it marks the end of Black History Month with music, entertainment, art and of course, fashion.

Coats, jackets, and the latest editions of shoes were on display as the athletes, coaches and staff came to the tournament dressed to match the fans’ energy. The fans and spectators showed up in their best HBCU gear and represented their teams in style. 

Fans, and residents enjoyed the multiple events centered around music, culture and arts. The city buzzed with festivities, which included events at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and at the Hilton, which hosted the Women’s Empowerment Brunch.

As the weekend approached, the anticipation for the annual CIAA Alumni party and the Legends of Hip Hop party spread through the city. 

Visitors and fans reveled in the work of celebrity DJs and guest artists: DJ Skillz; DJ Shakim; Chubb Rock; DJ Kool; Sugar Bear; Rare Essence; BDaht; DJ Kid Capri; Fatman Scoop; Keith Murray, Mr. Cheeks; SAINTED Trap Choir; LeVelle; Gabby Simone; The Hamiltones; Rudy Currence; Kevin Ross; Eric Bellinger; Shelby J. and Mike Phillips.

Baltimore’s local artists also put their creativity in the spotlight, to include DJ Duke; DJ Dre; DJ Flow; DJ Twisted; Sauce God; Jess Hilarious and others.

The CIAA Fan Fest, a free two-day event at the Baltimore Convention Center, highlighted free activities from sponsor organizations and concerts.  Tournament officials provided an array of free giveaways and merchandise for all who attended. 

Fan Fest allowed fans and visitors to engage more with local artists, entertainers and community members. 

The Vendor’s Village was a bonus this year, featuring a marketplace full of local retailers, businesses and organizations. 

Local Baltimore comedian and influencer Smirf described what CIAA means to the area.

“This type of event speaks on the value of engagement and what it means to the community,” he said. “To be able to bring this type of positivity to my city is a blessing.” 

The CIAA Alumni party was a glamorous blend of history and modern nightlife. The annual party proved to be another success as everyone enjoyed the first event of many hosted by Rams Head Live located in the Power Plant throughout the weekend. 

The culture of the HBCU history flooded the arena Friday night at the Wendy’s Step Show Throw Down featuring sororities and fraternities from the competing and surrounding area HBCUs. 

Hosted by 92Q radio personality Dominique Da Diva and sponsored by Wells Fargo, it featured dance-offs, laughs and a proper swag surf to unite the crowd. 

The CIAA weekend wouldn’t be complete without a step show. The teams included: Alpha Kappa Alpha from Morgan State University; Alpha Phi Alpha from Elizabeth City State University; Delta Sigma Theta from Central Jersey Alumnae; Zeta Phi Beta from Coppin State University (CSU); Phi Beta Sigma from Long Island University; The HU Step Team from Howard University; Omega Psi Phi from North Carolina Central University and Kappa Alpha Psi from North Carolina Central University. 

The space was packed and the energy was electric as the room filled with students from various colleges including Baltimore’s local gems, Morgan State University and Coppin State University. Appearances from Big Tigger from BET Rap City in the basement and the rapper Fabolous surprised the fans and left others wanting more.  

Frank James, from Virginia, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha valued the purpose of the event.

“This type of event is beneficial to the city and the youth in particular,” he said.”It shows them that they have more resources and activities to engage in [other] than what they’re used to.” 

Danielle Rose, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, from Baltimore, described her experience. 

“The amount of energy and people this event brought out was great and needed for the city. We packed this area with college students, alumni, and the community without incident. I’m happy I came and got a chance to support the event.” 

Ultimately, the women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority took the champion’s trophy home to CSU’s West Baltimore campus.

Baltimore’s downtown venues welcomed the party atmosphere throughout the weekend. Rams Head Live hosted CIAA The Legends of Hip Hop party featuring Fatman Scoop, Mr. Cheeks, and Keith Murray. 

Fatman Scoop started the lineup with 90s and 2000s hits that kept the crowd moving and engaged. Mr. Cheeks followed with a set that turned the Baltimore scene into a nostalgic moment. 

Keith Murray ended the show with a blast to the past with hits such as “The Most Beautifullest Thing in the World.” 

Crystal Quarles attended the CIAA Legends of Hip Hop Party and described the fun.

“This was a great experience and the CIAA did a fantastic job bringing the city out for the ‘30 and over’ crowd,” she said. “I had a ball, the atmosphere was great and I can’t wait to see what things they have planned for next year. It also makes Black History Month that much more special for me.”

The atmosphere on March 3 mellowed as the crowd turned out for the final day of activities and pop-ups.

The Trap Choir, CIAA edition, was the perfect ending to the weekend.

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By Maliik Obee
Special to the AFRO

On the fourth day of the women’s 2024 CIAA Tournament, Calflin helped to narrow down the playing field to four teams headed to the semifinals on March 1. The Panthers steamrolled over Shaw and registered a 71-45 victory in the history books.

Claflin players started the day with a remarkable shooting touch, knocking down 15 of 30 attempts (50 percent) from the field. On the defensive end, the Panthers forced the Bears to turn the ball over 22 times, resulting in 30 points. 

Guard Nya Morris led all scorers with 25 points and recorded a double-double (10 rebounds). Fellow backcourt mate Ashari Lewis (15 points) and forward Leigha Harris (13 points) scored in double-figures, staking Claflin to a convincing half-time lead 42-24. 

In-addition to forcing 22 turnovers by Shaw, Claflin went to the free throw line (and converted) often (16-for-22).

All-CIAA forward Alexis Radcliff scored 13 points on 5-8 shooting for Shaw, but guard Elisha Quinn was the only other Bear to record double-digits. 

Claflin moves on to the semifinals to face top-seed Elizabeth City State Vikings on March 1 at 12 p.m. on ESPN Plus.

Virginia State pulls off 51-42 comeback victory over Johnson C. Smith

No. 2-seeded Virginia State pulled off a spectacular 51-42 comeback victory over the third-seed Johnson C. Smith on Feb. 29. Proving that they could surpass another test on the road to the semifinals, the Trojans now look ahead to Friday’s matchup against top-seed Fayetteville State.

It was a rough start for Virginia State, after the Trojans fell behind 17-5 in the first period. Their shooting woes continued in the second, converting just 3-of-14 attempts from the field. 

Virginia State, steadied by its defense, still entered halftime barely holding onto a 23-18 lead, setting the stage for the Golden Bulls to come roaring back in the third period. 

The Golden Bulls outscored their opponents 20-6 in the third period quarter and rallied for a 38-29 lead.

But momentum is a funny thing.

The Trojons called on their scorers to carry them home. All-CIAA guard and most valuable player recipient Mijhae Hayes (21 points) combined with fellow all-conference forward Amesha Miller (14 points) for 35 points. Hayes’ ability to get to the basket resulted in her shooting 7-for-10 from the free throw line, while converting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. 

In the fourth quarter, the Trojans turned up the intensity again, out-scoring the Golden Bulls 22-4 and limiting them to 2-for-10 shooting from the field. 

Following the contest, Hayes spoke about the run in the fourth that helped her team move forward in the tournament.

“Basketball is a game of runs at the end of the day,” she said. “It’s going to happen. It’s bound to happen. We just stuck together and told each other ‘We got this’. We’re down right now, but we still have 10 minutes to go.

“So, we just kept fighting until the end. The game isn’t over until it’s 0:00 on the clock. That’s really all it was, just keep motivating each other to never give up.”

Virginia State coach Nadine Domond commended the challenge from Johnson C. Smith, then praised her program for fighting back. 

“I have an amazing bunch of young ladies,” she said. “Every day they continue to show up. They are resilient, tough and they were committed to taking this game. They did not want to go home.”

Virginia State and Fayetteville State compete in the semifinals on ESPN Plus at 6 p.m. EST on March 1. 

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By Maliik Obee
Special to the AFRO

No. 2-seed Claflin escaped with a reassuring 75-69 victory over Virginia State, overcoming its turnovers, gaffes and mistakes to advance to the semifinals of the CIAA Tournament on Feb. 29. 

Both teams struggled with turnovers, but the Panthers managed to score 30 points off of Virginia State’s 18 turnovers. That was one reason for the Panthers to feel invigorated about just getting by the pesky Trojans.

Claflin guard Jailen Williams gave them another reason to smile bright. He earned most valuable player honors, after recording a game-high 23 points.

Every bucket came in handy, as this game bounced back and forth.  

Despite 19 points from guard Kendall Bynum and 11 from Tim Uzochukwu, the Trojans failed to find another double-digit scorer. At the half, Claflin took a 34-28 lead.

Virginia State slowed the contest down in the second half, hitting 14-of-29 shots (48 percent) and converting 10 of 12 free throw attempts. 

The two teams traded buckets through the night, but Claflin’s rebounding ability (29) and Virginia State’s foul trouble (29) prevented the Trojans from making a comeback. Despite both teams scoring 41 in the second half, Claflin pulled away late at the free throw line and by finding clutch points in the paint. 

The win puts both the Claflin men and women’s teams in the semifinals, with the gentlemen preparing to face top-seeded Lincoln on March 2 at 2 p.m. EST on ESPN Plus. 

Virginia Union knocks off Bluefield State 61-55 to climb to CIAA tournament semifinals

The second men’s game of the evening featured a determined Virginia Union Panthers squad, who advanced to the CIAA semifinals with a 61-55 win over Bluefield State. 

The quadruple-header finale on Feb. 29 was another back-and-forth contest, with both teams tying four times and each accounting for two lead changes. Both teams shot over 40 percent in the first half, but Virginia Union’s ability to score points in the paint (24) helped them maintain a 32-29 lead at halftime.

Early in the second half, Union’s frontcourt trio of All-CIAA forward Tahj Harding (15 points), Jonathan Salazar (12 points) and Jonathan King (15 points), provided the late-game scoring the Panthers needed to maintain control of the contest. 

Bluefield State had three double-digit scorers of their own (Ja’Mere Redus, Jordan Hinds, Travon Cooper), but their poor shooting from deep (1-9 3pa) and allowing 12 points off turnovers proved to be crucial down the stretch. Union took an 11-point lead in the half, before fighting off a valiant late-game effort from the Big Blue. 

Panther Head Coach Jay Butler discussed the win following the contest. 

“I gotta tip my hat off to Bluefield State,” he said. “They had a good run, and they gave us fits all game – that’s a tough team.”

The Panthers pressed throughout this game and seemed to apply constant pressure. It may have been the difference in the win.

“As the game went on, I thought we wore them down a bit,” Butler said. “ King stepped up, made some plays for us. Tahj has been consistent for us all year. He stepped up and made plays for us when we needed him to. Good win – on to the next.” 

On Friday, the No.2-seeded Panthers face the top-seed Fayetteville State Broncos at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN Plus.

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By Maliik Obee 
Special to the AFRO

The third day of the 2024 CIAA Tournament saw eight men’s teams compete to move forward to the final four.

A 10 a.m. matchup started the day, with Bluefield State pulling off the upset of the tournament. In a late-game thriller, the Big Blue defeated the defending-champion Winston-Salem State Rams 67-66.

Winston Salem went into the half up 33-28, thanks to an incredible offensive display by CIAA Player of the Year Jaylen Alston. The senior shot 10-of-16 from the floor (13-of-20 free throws) for 34 points along with 15 rebounds. Fellow guard Isaac Parsons was the Rams only other scorer in double figures with 10 points and nine rebounds.

All-CIAA forward Jordan Hands led the Big Blue with 16 points and 11 rebounds, but it was guard Ja’Mere Redus who took home the most valuable player award. Redus siezed command of the floor, scoring 15 points along with five assists and three rebounds. Three other Big Blue scorers (Nduka Ogwu, Chase Page, Travon Cooper) finished in double-digits, as Bluefield rallied in the second half to send the game into overtime.

Free throws were the difference in the extra period, as the Rams shot 1-for-6 (16 percent) from the charity stripe, while Bluefield went 2-for-4 (50 percent).

The win keeps the Big Blue alive, as they advanced to face No. 2-seed Virginia Union on Fedb. 29.

Virginia State knocks off Johnson C. Smith in impressive fashion

The third-seed Trojans of Virginia State handed sixth-seeded Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls a 66-56 loss on Feb. 28 to move on to the final four. Despite committing 19 turnovers to the Golden Bulls’ 14, the Trojans controlled the game from the opening tip-off.

Rebounding became the biggest difference-maker in the contest, with the Trojans recording 51 boards compared to 31 by Johnson C. Smith. While both teams struggled from beyond the arc, Virginia State’s ability to spread the ball led to several scorers getting involved. Four Trojans (Jared Clawson, Jonathan Norfleet, Tremere Brown, Dajour Rucker) scored in double-figures, with Brown (11 points, 14 rebounds) and Rucker (11 points, 10 rebounds) recording double-doubles.

Forward Ashton Sherrell led the Golden Bulls on the scoreboard with 19 points, while All-CIAA forward Avery Huggins scored 15 points and 11 rebounds to keep them in the contest.

Virginia State committed 19 turnovers and helped the Golden Bulls stay in the contest, but poor shooting from beyond the arc (5-for-21) and the inability to stop the Trojans from scoring in the post (38 points) prevented them from making a true comeback.

Fayetteville State dismantles Bowie State 77-53

The Fayetteville State Broncos made light work of Bowie State on Feb. 28, cruising to a 77-53 victory to send the Bulldogs packing. Everything seemed to be clicking for the Broncos, as they shot over 57 percent from the floor and out-rebounded Bowie 31 to 19.

Forward Kaleb Coleman earned the most valuable player honor, after recording 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting, knocking down six3-point attempts (6-for-8) and grabbing six rebounds. Tairell Fletcher led the Broncos with 24 points on 9-for-13 shooting, adding six rebounds. Forward Caleb Simmons added 15 points and nine rebounds to give Fayetteville three double-digit scorers in the contest.

At the half, the Broncos held a 37-25 lead, thanks to hot shooting and holding the Bulldogs to 2-8 shooting from three (3-13 on the night). The Bulldogs’ scorers struggled to get into a groove, with the Broncos holding guard Warren Mouganda and forward Joel Webb to just 10 points each. All-CIAA rookie Kevon Corley was restricted to 7 points on 2-for-7 shooting.

Fayetteville pulled away even more in the second half, out-scoring Bowie 40-28 to secure a blowout victory.

The win now gives the Broncos a day of rest, skipping Thursday’s action, as they prepare to face the winner of Virginia Union’s matchup against Bluefield State.

Lincoln roars past Elizabeth City State 76-62

Top-seeded Lincoln held no punches on Feb. 28, beating the Elizabeth City State Vikings 76-62 to advance to the final four. 

No team put together a better display of moving the basketball, as five Lions scored in double-digits. Guard Reggie Hudson took home the most valuable player honors, after nearly recording a triple-double with 17 points, 8 assists and 9 rebounds.

The Lions took a comfortable 42-28 lead at the half, thanks to shooting 15-of-30 as a team from the field (50 percent) and holding the Vikings to 10-for-28 shooting (35 percent). Lincoln often landed at the foul line and converted, making 25-for-37 free throws (67 percent) as a team.

Elizabeth City State struggled from the field after halftime, going 11-36 (30 percent). But they did even worse from beyond the arc, making just 5-27 three-point-attempts (18 percent).

Lincoln’s offense struggled in the second half (7-22) but their defense and fresh rotation of bench contributors (28 points) helped them maintain a healthy lead throughout.

With a bye on Feb. 29, the Lions will watch to see who they will face in the semifinals, as Virginia State prepares to face Claflin.

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By Maliik Obee
Special to the AFRO

Day three of the women’s 2024 CIAA Tournament bracket featured four teams looking to punch their final-four ticket. In the first quarterfinal matchup of the day, the Elizabeth City State Vikings defeated Saint Augustine’s 64-60, sending the Falcons packing.

The fourth-seed Falcons made light work of the Lincoln Lions on Feb. 27, capturing a 64-52 victory. But on Feb. 28, the Vikings showed why they are defending CIAA champions. 

St. Augustine’s kept pressing the issue throughout, climbing to a 31-25 lead at the half thanks to a three-headed offensive attack from double-digit scorers Janiya Reed, Taniyah Greene and Lauren Banks. The trio combined for 43 points and 27 rebounds, with the Falcons bench contributing 27 points of their own.

But the Falcons had no answer for guard Dy’Jhanik Armfield, who led the Vikings with 16 crucial points and six rebounds. The Vikings’ ability to make free throws (12 for 18) and come up with some late defensive stops puts them back in the final four. On Feb. 29, they’ll face No. 2-seeded Claflin in hopes of returning to the championship.

Fayetteville State dominates Bluefield State 59-45

After waiting two days for its turn to take the court as top-seed, the Fayetteville State Broncos routed the Bluefield State Big Blue 59-45. CIAA player of the year Aniylah Bryant scored 24 points to take home the Food Lion MVP, shooting 9-20 (48 percent) from the field and 3-6 from the three-point line.

The Big Blue jumped to an 11-10 lead after the first, before the Broncos held them to just 4 points (1-15 shooting) in the second. After going up 26-15 at the half, Bryant took over the contest by scoring at will. The Broncos’ defense restricted the Big Blue to 5-25 shooting from beyond the three-point line.

Bluefield All-CIAA forward Alexyss Newman was the only other double-digit scorer in the contest, posting 19 points and 9 rebounds.

In the fourth quarter, the Broncos struggled to put the ball in the basket (3-13), but their defensive effort and 44 rebounds made all the difference.

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By Maliik Obee
Special to the AFRO

The men’s bracket of the 2024 CIAA Tournament kicked off on Feb. 26 with sixth-seed Bluefield State knocking off seventh-seed St. Augustine’s 50-48 in a late come-from-behind win.

The Falcons controlled the pace of the contest early, thanks to some sticky defense and 24-combined points from guard Jawan Browder and forward Nate Youngblood. St. Augustine climbed to a 10-point lead at the half, with a 32-22 lead. The Falcons restricted Bluefield to just 8 of 26 shooting in the first half to gain a comfortable lead, despite turning the ball over 14 times.

Bluefield opened the second half by chopping the lead, thanks to All-CIAA guard Jordan Hinds, who recorded his fourth 20-plus-point game (24) in his last five contests. Despite out-rebounding Bluefield 37 to 27, the Falcons went 6-20 from the field in the second half, making 1 of 8 three point attempts and going 3-for-9 from the free throw line. 

All-CIAA Rookie Team guard Traveon Cooper was Bluefield State’s second-leading scorer, chipping in 12 points as the only-other Big Blue player in double-digits. With guard Jordan Love struggling from the field (4-15) the Falcons didn’t have enough help for Browder (21 points) to maintain the lead and the win.

On Feb. 28, the Big Blues will take on the defending-CIAA Champion Winston Salem State Rams at 10 a.m., on ESPN Plus, as they look to extend their tournament stay.

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Special Release

The Pepsi National Battle of the Bands (NBOTB) is proud to announce the February airing of “The Legacy of HBCU Marching Bands,” a film that pays tribute to the rich heritage and ongoing legacy of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands. This vibrant showcase will feature the performances of eight premier bands from the 2023 Pepsi National Battle of the Bands.

This film is the fourth in the NBOTB series. It provides an in-depth look at the marching band culture and its vital role in African American culture for over a century. Celebrating their flair, dedication, and the continuity of traditions that have become a staple of entertainment and performance excellence. Viewers journey through the history of HBCU marching bands and their evolution as a crucial part of American culture.

The featured bands performances include:

• Florida A&M University, The Marching “100”
• Langston University, “Marching Pride” Band
• Mississippi Valley State University, Mean Green Marching Machine
• Norfolk State University, The Spartan “Legion” Marching Band
• Southern University, Human Jukebox
• Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands
• Texas Southern University, “Ocean of Soul” Marching Band
• Virginia State University, Trojan Explosion Marching Band

“We are thrilled to bring the stories of these iconic HBCU bands to the screen,” said Derek Webber, Executive Producer of the National Battle of the Bands. “Their music, moves and the sheer magnificence of their performances have entertained and uplifted and united communities for generations. It’s a true honor to document and share this legacy during Black History Month.”

Don’t miss this heartfelt homage to the musicians and communities that continue to inspire us with their rhythm, dedication, and trailblazing performances. 

For a complete schedule of airing dates and times, please visit NationalBattleoftheBands.com/salute, where viewers can also enjoy the film’s trailer and explore a list of stations broadcasting the documentary.

About National Battle of the Bands:

The National Battle of the Bands’ (NBOTB) mission is to enhance the exposure of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), their marching bands, and their roles in educating aspiring musicians and developing future leaders. The musical showcase, hosted in collaboration between Webber Marketing and the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, occurs annually in Houston, TX, at NRG stadium. Event organizers have generated over $1.3 million in scholarships for the participating colleges and universities. www.nationalbattleofthebands.com

For more information about the National Battle of the Bands and the upcoming film, please visitwww.nationalbattleofthebands.com or follow @NationalBattleOfTheBands (Facebook/Instagram/TikTok/YouTube) / @NationalBOTB (Twitter).

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By Maliik Obee,
Special to the AFRO

There isn’t a team hotter on the women’s side of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference than the Broncos of Fayetteville State University. Led by senior guard Aniylah Bryant, the 22-2 Broncos are on an eight-game win streak, in search of a CIAA title and a demanding new respect for their historic program.

Bryant starred at Havelock High in North Carolina before committing to Louisburg College in 2019. The high-scoring 5-foot-7 guard averaged 17.4 points across two seasons for the Hurricanes, before transferring to Fayetteville State in 2021. In her first season with the team, Bryant averaged 13 points, three rebounds and two assists along with 70 steals. After putting up nearly-identical numbers in 2022-2023, Bryant has elevated her game in her senior year.

Through 24 contests, Bryant is averaging a career-high 16.1 points, ranking third in the CIAA. Making 40-of-163 three-point-attempts (24 percent), Bryant ranks fifth of all scorers in shots from beyond the arc. Averaging 31 minutes per contest, Bryant is shooting (and making) more shots than ever, converting on 137 of 344 attempts from the field. At just under 40 percent from the floor (39.8 percent), Bryant has been more efficient in her senior campaign. She’s also drawing fouls at a high rate, attempting a career-high 114 free throws, with 72 makes (63 percent). On Feb. 8, she recorded 1,000 points for her career in Fayetteville’s 64-56 win over Johnson C Smith. While scoring at a high clip, she is also sharing the ball more at just under three assists (2.8) per game.

But, it’s not just Bryant’s scoring that makes her a key factor in the team’s 22 wins and 15-1 conference record – but her tenacious defense. With 105 steals on the year (4.4 spg), she leads the conference and all of Division II women’s basketball. In the Feb. 17 game, with a 75-66 win over Livingstone, she recorded a whopping eight takeaways. It marked the 11th game of five-plus steals for the pesky defender. Fayetteville State is allowing just 58 points per contest, the lowest average across the CIAA. 

On Feb. 15, Bryant nailed a last-second free throw to seal a 48-47 victory over Winston Salem State on the road. When called upon, she has proven to be reliable in the clutch for a Fayetteville State team that has shown its ability to overcome adversity, as well as winning decisively.  

The Lady Broncos have lost once since November’s 58-56 non-conference loss to Lander, falling 63-53 to the Lady Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith on Jan. 20. In that span, they’ve won seven contests by double-digits, with eight-straight wins overall. This week, Fayetteville State will take on the Claflin Panthers and Saint Augustine’s Falcons before heading to Baltimore for the tournament.

In January, Bryant was recognized by Boxtorow as the HBCU National Player of the Week, after averaging 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists across two victories. The upcoming CIAA tournament gives her a chance to end her decorated collegiate career as a champion. 

In 2020, Fayetteville State captured the fourth CIAA title in school history, a year before Bryant’s arrival. Through the year, Fayetteville State has run through the competition, going 12-0 at home and 9-2 on the road. Now, she leads a team on a storybook run, who has a chance to earn their fifth title and an automatic bid for the NCAA Division II playoffs. Keep an eye on the high-scoring senior with the sweet touch from outside looking to go out with a bang.

All-Conference CIAA Watch Team:

Aniylah Bryant – Guard, Fayetteville State

Alanis Hill – Guard, Elizabeth City State

Lauren Scott – Guard, Claflin

Amesha Miller- Forward, Virginia State

Zaniyyah Ross-Barnes, Forward, Shaw

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By Maliik Obee,
Special to the AFRO

On Feb. 26, the 2024 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament will kick off for the fourth time in Baltimore, since moving to Charm City in 2022. The conference’s dozen teams participating in the men’s and women’s brackets will look to take home the crown, in the 79th rendition of the historic Black college tournament. After leading the Winston Salem State Rams to a 2023 CIAA title, guard Jaylen Alston is a name to know for next week’s tournament.

Alston left his mark in Baltimore in 2023, earning All-CIAA Tournament honors and the MVP award for his efforts in the Rams’ 62-57 championship victory over the Lincoln Lions. On Feb. 16, Alston recorded a double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) to help the Rams defeat the Virginia Union Panthers in the NBA’s All Star Weekend HBCU Classic. With the tournament just days away, the versatile 6-foot-4 guard looks to join a distinguished group of Rams all-time to win three CIAA titles.

The Gibsonville, N.C. native shined at Eastern Guilford High, committing to Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs in 2018. After appearing in nine games as a freshman, Alston transferred to Winston Salem State in 2019. Alston made an immediate impact, averaging 12.5 points, six rebounds and shooting 50 percent from the field to help the Rams hoist the 2019-2020 CIAA title.

Alston stepped away from the game for personal reasons following the win, leading to a whirlwind of events, including COVID-19 that caused him to miss two seasons on the court. In 2022, Alston returned to the Rams, who climbed to 21-9 on the year and earned a Division II playoff appearance for their conference title win. Winston Salem State would fall 52-50 to the Crimson Hawks of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

At 17-8, the Rams are riding a three-game win streak with two matchups against the Shaw Bears and Livingstone Blue Bears before the tournament gets underway. With his senior year nearing an end, Alston continues to take his game to new heights – in the moments that the Rams need him most.

Winston Salem State kicked off the month of February by honoring Alston for recording 1000-career points along with 500-career rebounds. In 25 appearances in 2024, Alston set new career-highs in points (17.5 ppg) and rebounds (8.2 rpg). The athletic slasher continues to score at will around the basket, while becoming more proficient. Alston is shooting a career-high 54 percent from the field, while hitting 74 percent of his free throw attempts. Alston has scored over 30 points in three contests this season, and six games of 20-plus – while being held under double-digits just twice. The combo guard can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry – but it’s his microwave scoring and clutch genes that make him a threat to help the Rams hoist the trophy.

At just 45 career three-point-attempts (22 percent), Alston isn’t much of a shooter from beyond the arc. But, the senior can put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways, seemingly at his discretion. From driving to the paint with his quick first step, to playing with his back to the basket, Alston shows no qualms about getting physical. For the third-straight season, Alston has grabbed 50-plus offensive rebounds, giving himself a shot at second-chance points. Of the Rams last 10 games, five have been decided by five points or less. At a career-high of 32 minutes per contest, the Rams have relied upon Alston and his ability to score in bunches and in a pinch.

With next week’s tournament approaching, Alston has a unique opportunity to capture his third conference title and help the Rams remove the bitter taste of falling short in the Division II playoffs to conclude a historic collegiate career.

All-Conference CIAA Watch Team:

Jaylen Alston – Guard, Winston Salem State

Reggie Hudson – Guard, Lincoln

Tahj Harding – Forward, Virginia Union

Jordan Hinds – Forward, Bluefield State

Avery Huggins – Forward, Johnson C Smith

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By Mark Ambrogi 
The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — While Virginia Union coach Jay Butler would have liked a different outcome, both teams had a winning experience at the NBA HBCU Classic.

Ketron Shaw scored 15 points and Jaylen Alston had 14 points and 11 rebounds to pace Winston-Salem State to a 64-47 victory Feb. 17 in the NBA HBCU Classic. Issac Parson added 12 points and 11 assists for the Rams (17-8, 11-5 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Jaylin Parker scored 11 points,

Tahj Harding led Virginia Union (11-17, 6-9 CIAA ) with 11 points and Travis Vaughn added nine points.

The game between the two NCAA Division II teams from the historically Black universities was played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the same court as the NBA All-Stars will play on Feb. 18.

“This was big time,” Butler said. “This was an awesome event. Something things kids will remember for the rest of their lives. When we first got here, they rolled out the red carpet from the airport, to the hotel to the arena.”

Being a Division II school, Butler said the players don’t get to play on this kind of big stage.

“It’s big for our school and program and for our recruiting, moving forward,” Butler said. “I just want to thank the NBA and all those sponsors for basically allowing this event to happen. It is big for the HBCU community just to get this opportunity to play in front of millions on national TV.”

Vaughn, one of eight freshmen for the Panthers, said he never experienced anything like it.

“It was just an amazing experience,” he said, recounting the NBA stars he met. “I’m very fortunate. … I got to meet Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard. I look up to them for my game, so I was very fortunate for that.”

Alston was starstruck, too.

“Walking in we got to see Kevin Durant,” Alston said. “I kind of stopped. I forgot a game was still happening, so I had to catch myself.”

Parson said “the coolest thing for me was I got to see Jalen Brunson and speak with him.”

Winston-Salem State coach Cleo Hill Jr. said it was special for all involved

“I couldn’t even imagine when I was 18 to 24 years old, coming into the All-Star Game playing in front of Earl Monroe, Clyde Frazier and Magic Johnson, so that was huge,” Hill said. “On the flip side for the student-athletes, they have career day (Feb. 18) and are well-suited and booted to put our best foot forward for life after basketball. For myself, with my dad playing in the NBA for a short time, it was gratifying.”

Durant, representing the Phoenix Suns as an All-Star, said it’s huge for the two teams to have the stage.

“It’s an opportunity for people around the country to see the type of talent they have at HBCUs,” Durant said. “There’s a lot of hidden gems there, great coaching, great talent up and down the board. If we can give them the platform to showcase their talents and skills, we need to do so. So I’m excited for them. Hopefully, this becomes an annual thing and we start to see more and more talent come out of HBCUs.”

Douglas Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was among those in attendance.

BIG PICTURE

Virginia Union: After winning two in a row, the Panthers have now lost three in a row.

Winston-Salem State: The Rams previously beat Virginia Union 65-56 on Nov. 19 in the Small College Hall of Fame game in Uncasville, Connecticut. Winston-Salem leads the all-time series

UP NEXT

Virginia Union: At Elizabeth City State on Feb. 28.

Winston-Salem State: At Johnson C. Smith on Feb. 29.

The post Winston-Salem State tops Virginia Union in NBA HBCU Classic appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Larry Lage
AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan is giving Sherrone Moore a shot, hoping he can sustain at least some of the success coach Jim Harbaugh had toward the end of his nine-season run with college football’s winningest program.

“Jim talked effusively about Sherrone before the season, after the season and in our conversation on Wednesday (Jan. 24) and really gave me the insight why he was our choice,” athletic director Warde Manuel said Jan. 27 at Moore’s introductory news conference.

Michigan hired Moore on Jan. 26 to replace coach Harbaugh and give the 37-year-old offensive coordinator an opportunity to lead the defending national champions.

“The prize we got, but we’re hungry for more,” he said.

The move was made two days after Harbaugh bolted to lead the Los Angeles Chargers with a five-year deal that gives him another chance to chase a Super Bowl title.

Moore’s contract is for five years, with a starting annual salary of $5.5 million, guaranteed annual raises and several bonuses for accomplishments such as conference championships ($500,000), College Football Playoff appearances ($200,000) and national championships ($1 million).

Moore is a first-time head coach — at least formally.

Michigan went 4-0, including wins over Ohio State and Penn State, while Moore was filling in for Harbaugh as he served two separate suspensions for potential NCAA rules violations during the 2023 season.

Moore becomes the first Black head coach in the history of Michigan football.

“It’s time,” said longtime Wolverines assistant coach and staffer Fred Jackson, who is Black.

The post Jim Harbaugh pushed for Michigan to hire Sherrone Moore after leaving to lead Chargers appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Southwestern Athletic Conference emerges victorious

By Mekhi Abbott 
Special to the AFRO
mabbott@afro.com

The Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) Rattlers defeated the Howard Bison in the Cricket Football Celebration Bowl on Dec. 16. Delivering a final score of 30-26, the Rattlers left Atlanta with their first ever Celebration Bowl victory. 

The Bowl, also known as the “Black National Championship,” started off with a bang when Howard University graduate student Ian Wheeler returned the opening kickoff 63 yards, not being tackled until he reached FAMU’s 27-yard line. Four plays later, the Bison sprinted out to an early 7-0 lead against the Rattlers. 

“I honestly didn’t expect to kick me the ball because their kicker has a good leg. But once I saw it in the air, I knew I had to show out. It’s always awesome being able to put our team in position to score to start off the game,” said Wheeler.

After linebacker and fellow graduate student Christian White strip sacked FAMU quarterback Jeremy Moussa causing him to fumble the ball, the Bison were able to recover the ball once again in FAMU territory. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Champions took advantage of the turnover and executed a six play, 37-yard touchdown drive to go up 14-0. 

The Bison went into halftime with a 16-10 lead after FAMU’s kicker Cameron Gillis kicked a field goal with 11 seconds left in the second quarter. 

A relatively quiet third quarter saw both teams score zero points, but the fourth quarter was full of action. FAMU flipped the momentum, scoring on their first possession to start off the final quarter after Moussa threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Dean. With that score, they were able to take their first lead of the game, 17-16. In their very next possession, Moussa and Dean connected on another deep ball, this time for 53 yards. The Rattlers led the Bison 24-16. 

After kicking a field goal to break FAMU’s 17-0 scoring run, Bison defensive back Carson Hinton jumped a screen pass thrown by FAMU’s Moussa and returned it 27 yards for a defensive touchdown. The Bison retook the lead 26-24. 

However, the Rattlers didn’t take long to respond. The 2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Offensive Player of the Year’s deep ball was connected on Dec. 16 and Moussa was able to throw another pass for a touchdown, this time to wide receiver Jah’Marae Sheread for 38 yards to put the Rattlers in the lead 30-26.

The Bison had two more offensive possessions in the fourth quarter to try and respond, but both drives resulted in interceptions thrown by senior quarterback Quinton Williams. After starting the game off with a pedestrian first half performance that resulted in an interception thrown, a fumble and a safety, FAMU quarterback Moussa made the big throws when it mattered the most in the second half. He finished with 289 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and a fumble. Williams finished with 106 passing yards, 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. FAMU’s Dean was named the 2023 Cricket Celebration Bowl’s Offensive Most Valuable Player (MVP). 

Despite 56 points being scored, the 2023 Celebration Bowl proved to be a defensive matchup. FAMU’s “Dark Cloud” defense held Howard to only 187 total offensive yards, which is a record for the least amount of yards put up by an offense in Celebration Bowl history. Nine of the 26 points that Howard put up were scored by the defense via the pick-six by Hinton and a 2-point safety caused by Howard defensive lineman Darrian Brokenburr. The offensive touchdowns scored by the Bison were set up by special teams and a fumble caused by the defense. FAMU’s senior linebacker Isaiah Major took home Defensive MVP honors after securing what proved to be the game-sealing interception for the Rattlers. Major was also named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year at the conclusion of the regular season.

Tiffany-Dawn Sykes, FAMU’s vice president and athletic director is the first female athletic director to win a Celebration Bowl. Sykes forged a strong relationship with star linebacker Major. 

“My vision for FAMU Athletics is for every student-athlete to graduate with a degree in one hand and a championship ring in the other. THIS is what it’s all about! Congratulations Isaiah Major!” Sykes wrote on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, in response to Major thanking FAMU for his overall collegiate experience in being able to get a degree, earn a SWAC Championship and be named a 2023 Black College Football National Champion. 

The season proves to be a historic one for both programs. This was both FAMU and Howard’s first time going to Mercedes Benz Stadium to play in the Celebration Bowl.  FAMU clinched its first ever SWAC football championship just a couple weeks ago after defeating the Prairie View A&M Black Panthers, 35-14. FAMU finished their season 11-1, going an undefeated 8-0 against SWAC opponents. The Rattlers started off their season by knocking off Jackson State, who were the then reigning 2-time SWAC Champions. After losing their second game of the season to in-state opponent University of South Florida, FAMU would run the table and not lose a single game for the rest of the season. 

FAMU is only in its third season as a SWAC school after leaving the MEAC in 2020. Prior to that, FAMU had a 15-year run as a MEAC program and was a part of the conference for over 35 years in total. This year, FAMU became the first school in NCAA history to win a conference title in the SWAC, MEAC and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in football. Each of the three respective conference’s member schools are composed entirely of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). 

FAMU continues to add to their legacy as one of best football programs in all of HBCU football history. FAMU is the only HBCU program to ever win a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National title. FAMU also boasts four college football Hall of Famers and over 60 players who have played in the National Football League, including current starting middle linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, Markquese Bell from the class of 2021. 

Despite the 4-point loss, the Bison still had a season to remember. They finished their season with at least a .500 record (6-6, 4-1 MEAC) for the first time since 2017. They also won the MEAC outright and qualified for their first bowl game in thirty years. Some of their season highlights include a 30-point blowout victory against the then 7th-ranked (FCS) team in the nation North Carolina Central Eagles and a very close 23-20 loss against the Northwestern Wildcats. The Wildcats are a Power 5 program that have a record of 7-5 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten, one of the most challenging and competitive conferences in all of college football.

Some notable names amongst the crowd at the Celebration Bowl included Vice President and Howard alumna Kamala Harris, former NFL MVP Cam Newton and his younger brother, former Bison quarterback Caylin Newton. Actor Lance Gross from Howard University’s class of 2024 was also in attendance.

The post FAMU takes 2023 Celebration Bowl title appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Lake Marion
Special to the AFRO

Angel Reese, the Randallstown, Md., native and St. Frances graduate, came home and handled business as she and the Louisiana State University Tigers defeated the Coppin State University Eagles 80-48 on Dec. 20.

Almost two years ago, Reese was playing for the University of Maryland Terrapins when she last played against the Eagles and earned a double-double in their win.

This time, in front of a sold-out crowd of 4,100 – the line to enter wrapped around the Physical Education Complex buildings on Coppin’s campus –  Reese was happy to be playing in front of not only the LSU fans that traveled to the game, but the home crowd as well.

“A lot of people came out tonight,” Reese said. “I know they were supporting Coppin, but being able to come to a historically Black college… coming back here, doing a lot for this community and them (members of the community) being able to see opportunity—where there can be a lot of little girls knowing they can have this opportunity— was something that was important to me.”

Reese said that coming into Coppin was “completely different” this time around compared to how it was when she played at Maryland.

“My sophomore year I remember the first time I came here there weren’t that many fans here,” she said. “But coming in tonight just seeing my impact and being able to see how so much has changed…. I’m just happy the place that I’m in and the people I’ve been able to touch.”

Reese showed out, finishing the game with 26 points, six rebounds and five steals (tying her career-high in steals) in the team’s cruising victory. It was the team’s 12-straight win since their season-opening loss to Colorado.

Head coach Kim Mulkey understood the importance of this game and what it would mean to Reese when it was put on the team’s schedule this season.

“This is Angel Reese’s hometown area,” Mulkey said. “ We try to go back to the hometown areas of our players, but it doesn’t always work out. Other than recruiting, scheduling is the second hardest thing to do in college athletics. We were just grateful we could work it out.”

The Tigers came out victorious in the end and the Eagles couldn’t keep up with the No. 7 ranked team, but it was still a moral victory for Coppin.

Eagles head coach Jermaine Woods gave credit to coach Mulkey for signing off on the scheduling to play against a historically Black college and praised his team for continuing to fight back throughout the game.

“Obviously you want to win,” Woods said. “But I was proud of the fight. I think all of you left out of here and said that our young women never and that’s the goal.”

And the Eagles didn’t give up, especially earlier on in the second quarter where they were down by 10 before going on a 10-4 run to gain a little momentum.

Eagles leading scorer and guard Tiffany Hammond and forward Laila Lawrence, who finished with 32 points and five steals, combined, felt the physicality of the game when going up against bigger opponents like Reese.

“You had to stand your ground and just be physical throughout the whole night,” Lawrence said. “You gotta hit her first every time or she’s gonna hit you.”

Hammond seconded Lawrence’s comment about the tenacity required to play against Reese and the Tigers.

“We had to be physical on both ends of the court,” she said. “Fighting for positions, trying to rebound with girls that’s over 6-foot-5, it was a physical game the whole time.”

Coach Woods said that they had a lot of fun for the “first time in a long time” after playing an opponent like LSU and just wanted to “enjoy the moment” as the Eagles prepare for another tough game against Duke Dec. 28.

As for Reese and the Tigers, they will travel back home and get some rest before they play against Jacksonville Dec. 30, seeking to win their 13th straight game.

Reese left with a little advice for college students before preparing to head back to Louisiana.

“Take some time to yourself,” Reese said. “Mental health is the most important thing and being able to put yourself first.”

Marion Lake is an AFRO intern from Morgan State University.

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(Black PR Wire) NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl announced today (Dec. 16) that student registration is now open for the 2024 Career Fair, to be held on February 22nd and 23rd at the New Orleans Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl is about opportunity, both on and off the field. The Career Fair serves as a platform to elevate HBCU students into the world of professional success,” said Black College Football Hall of Fame Co-Founder and 2012 inductee James “Shack” Harris.

The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl Career Fair, presented by the New Orleans Saints, provides job opportunities and career counseling for HBCU juniors, seniors, and recent graduates. Admission is FREE. In just two years, it has become the largest HBCU Career Fair in the nation, attracting nearly 1,500 students from 49 different HBCUs networking with over 100 of the nation’s top employers.

Starting today, students can register at https://www.hbculegacybowl.com/career-fair

ABOUT THE ALLSTATE HBCU LEGACY BOWL

The Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl, presented by the Black College Football Hall of Fame is a postseason all-star game that showcases the top 100 NFL draft-eligible football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The game will be played on Saturday, February 24, 2024, in New Orleans, Louisiana, at Tulane University, and broadcast live on NFL Network. More than a football game, the week-long celebration of Black culture and history will provide invaluable exposure for HBCU students. HBCU Legacy Bowl Founding Partners include Allstate, National Football League, adidas, 2x NFL & Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and his 15 and the Mahomies Foundation, Coca-Cola, Coors Light, Bank of America, New Orleans Saints, State of Louisiana, Riddell, Allstate Sugar Bowl, Zebra Technologies, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Follow the HBCU Legacy Bowl on social media (X, IG & FB) via @HBCULegacyBowl or visit www.HBCULegacyBowl.com for more information.

ABOUT THE BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

The Black College Football Hall of Fame was founded in 2009 by African-American pioneers, quarterbacks James Harris and Doug Williams to preserve the history and honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). There have been over 100 Inductees since inception, including Mel Blount, James Harris, Willie Lanier, Art Shell and Doug Williams, who serve as trustees.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) soon will have a permanent home at the Pro Football Hall of Fame (PFHOF) to tell the story of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

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By Ariyana Griffin 
Special to the AFRO

Morgan State University’s (MSU) wrestling team has made a comeback after a 25-year hiatus, making it the only historically Black college or university (HBCU)  to offer a Division 1 men’s wrestling program. 

The sport was cut from MSU during the 1996-1997 season due to lack of funding. The organization, HBCU Wrestling, donated $2.7 million to the institution to restart the program, supporting its goal to diversify the sport and provide opportunities to HBCU students. 

HBCU Wrestling is “committed to restoring and establishing women’s and men’s wrestling programs at historically Black colleges and universities.” They execute this by pledging “to make up to a 10-year commitment to NCAA-sanctioned wrestling programs,” along with providing “scholarship opportunities, coaches with salaries comparable to top programs and competitive operating budgets,” according to information released by the organization. 

This opportunity opened the doors for the highly decorated wrestler, Kenny Monday, to become the head coach for the team. Monday is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and earned an Olympic Gold medal in 1988 and a silver medal in 1992. 

He has vivid memories of how he fell in love with the sport at just five years old. He chalks his love for the sport up to his two older brothers, Mike and Jim Monday, who started wrestling at a YMCA program in Tulsa, Okla. “I started behind my brothers and then just fell in love with it. I never, never looked back—never, never stopped,” he said. 

He continued pursuing the sport through high school.

“I didn’t lose a match from the seventh grade through the 12th grade,” said Monday. “I was one of the most highly recruited athletes out of high school.” 

Throughout college, he trained, competed and prepared to join the Olympic team in 1988. He became the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling.

His journey and love for HBCUs ultimately has led him to serve Morgan State University as a coach, reviving the program—a heavy task— but not too much for Monday. 

The Olympian said building and recruiting the team from scratch was complex, but he is confident in the selection. 

“I started with one kid, and now we have 30 kids on the program.” He shared that he was dedicated to building a meaningful team.

“I  recruited all the kids before I even hired an assistant.” His goal is to mold MSU’s team and become national champions.

Eric Tecson, a freshman, took a gap year to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and is excited to be competing at Morgan. “It’s a pretty young team, so we’re all like-minded. We ready to get this thing started,” he said. 

He enjoys the sport and the mental aspect. “It’s a mental grind. It’s a physical grind every day. You come in here, and you find something to get better— that other people can’t do, and then it pushes you to keep going and keep working on your moves,” he said. “It’s a grind that you can never perfect, but you always are chasing perfection.” 

Monday is excited to share his connections, knowledge and resources with the team.

Kingsley Menifee originally planned to attend Cornell University but, after being given the opportunity by Monday, switched his decision and attended MSU. He explained that as a freshman, he is getting acclimated to being a collegiate student-athlete, but the team helps each other through that. “School comes first, so you gotta get that done,” he said. “We have study hours to maintain every week and then practice. So it keeps our schedule pretty busy.”

Coach Monday explained the importance of the students coming in and being successful not only on the mat but also in their academics. “Our goal is to bring student-athletes in and have our student-athletes graduate. We want to make sure we have a high graduation rate so they can come through Morgan State and be Morgan State graduates.”

Jake Marsh has had experience being on a college wrestling team. He recently graduated from Princeton University, and with his last year of eligibility, he joined the team and is earning his master’s in Finance. “It’s pretty cool to be around a group of younger guys,” he said. “They have a little more drive; they’re more excited. So that’s kind of refreshing to be around that energy.” 

He talked about balancing school and athletics, but he feels accustomed to it due to his time at Princeton; however, with the graduate-level workload, he is finding his balance. “I’d also like to attend the national tournament, represent there, and help reach our independent highest potential.” He has the goal of possibly helping the team next year as a grad assistant. 

In their first home match of the season, the team won their first victory, 53-0 over Marymount University.

The post Twenty five years later, Morgan State University’s wrestling team is back appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com 

Towson University’s Dr. Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute hosted a free workshop entitled “Cultivating a Vibrant and Winning Workplace Culture” on Dec. 6 for professionals who have an impact on their workplace’s culture. Executive Director Erin Moran led a panel discussion with Julie East, vice president of talent and human resources for the Atlas Restaurant Group (Atlas); Frank Kelly, CEO of Kelly Benefits; and Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher of the AFRO. 

Employers across the U.S. are grappling with a talent shortage. A recent survey from the ManpowerGroup discovered that 77 percent of companies are having trouble filling open roles. The workshop sought to arm participants with strategies for building trust within their organizations, a key driver in reducing turnover and attracting talent.  

“A vibrant and winning workplace culture is an environment where employees are inspired and invested in to contribute their authentic selves in service of a shared goal that yields financial and emotional prosperity for all stakeholders,” said Moran. 

She opened the discussion by asking the panelists to share their definition of workplace culture. Draper described it as the ethos of an organization and emphasized that every workplace culture is different. East added that it includes shared behaviors and styles of working. 

“Corporate culture, in my opinion, refers to the values, beliefs and practices associated with a particular organization and, ultimately, why you do what you do. Every team, group, family, organization and business has a culture,” said Kelly. “All cultures evolve organically to some measurement, and some can be shaped with intentionality.” 

Each of the panelists represented different-sized organizations. Draper said her newsroom consists of about 46 people, while Kelly and East’s companies are larger. Kelly Benefits employs nearly 500 people, and Atlas has more than 2,000 people working across its 28 restaurants. 

The panelists provided tips on how they develop their organizations’ leaders to engender proficient performance from their employees that aligns with their workplaces’ values. 

East shared an example in practice. 

“We discovered a couple years ago that we had spent so much time focusing on the hospitality for guests, that we had actually neglected showing that same hospitality to our employees. It became a big initiative for us as an executive leadership team to ensure that the projects and initiatives we were putting out were focused on making the employees feel values,” said East. “One of the ways we did that was by focusing on each of the leadership teams within a restaurant.” 

Atlas’ leadership teams used the DiSC assessment, a personality test that helps people to understand their behavior in the workplace. In understanding their own management styles, the leaders are more effective in communicating, conflict resolution and fostering stronger working relationships. 

Draper noted that she focuses on leading by example, saying that she aims to live out the core values of her media company everyday. 

“If the CEO does not mirror the values that the human resources person told you the company stands for, there is a disconnect. Most people can tell when it’s phony. They can tell when you’re just putting on,” said Draper. “You have to be genuine with people.” 

The panelists closed the conversation by providing advice for creating a vibrant and winning workplace culture. Each of them mentioned the importance of intentionality in building organizations’ culture. 

East suggested establishing a baseline through pulse or engagement surveys to discern how workplace culture is viewed by employees. This allows organizations to track their progress in achieving the culture they desire. 

Kelly advocated for looking to other like-minded organizations for ways to improve workplace culture. 

“Don’t be afraid to take good ideas from other businesses and people you respect. I know for me, I’m not the best at inventing the wheel or reinventing it,” said Kelly. “I like to learn from others, and I would encourage you to go and learn from others in your industry.” 

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member. 

The post AFRO publisher participates in panel on ‘cultivating a vibrant and winning workplace culture’ appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By John Marshall,
AP Sports Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Ray Anderson is stepping down after nearly a decade as Arizona State’s athletic director.

Anderson will remain at the school as a professor of practice and senior advisor at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

“It has been a privilege to serve as ASU’s athletic director for nearly a decade,” Anderson said in a statement Nov. 13. “We have entered an unprecedented era where the number and magnitude of changes in the college sports landscape are astounding.

“As I approach my seventh decade of life, these are not matters that my leadership would be able to corral during my tenure. Continuity of leadership will be needed, and I am choosing to step aside to let the university find that leader.”

Jim Rund, ASU senior vice president for educational outreach and student services, will serve as interim athletic director. Rund was the interim athletic director when Steve Patterson left for the University of Texas in 2013.

A former NFL executive and agent, Anderson was hired in 2014 to reshape Arizona State athletics. He was instrumental in the school’s decision to leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12 next year and helped land one of the largest naming rights deals in college sports history when Sun Devil Stadium became Mountain America Stadium.

Anderson also took criticism for the hiring of former NFL coach and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards, who was fired three games into his fifth season in 2022. Anderson also was at the helm when the NCAA began investigating the football program for illegal recruiting practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post Arizona State athletic director Ray Anderson resigns after nearly a decade appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Mekhi Abbot,
Special to the AFRO

The Howard Bison are on their way to the Cricket Celebration Bowl after defeating the Morgan State Bears on Nov. 18 earning their second consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship. The Bison won the matchup with a final score of 14-7. 

“Offensively, our keys to victory were that we wanted to start fast–play for 60 minutes– and just make plays. We did that,” said quarterback Quinton Williams. “We knew it was going to be a 60-minute fight.”

The team jumped out to an early lead against Morgan State and 14 points proved to be enough for Howard to leave the game victorious. 

The Bison finished regular season play with a record of 6-5, their first winning season since 2017. They finished 4-1 in conference play for the second year in a row and went undefeated when playing on their home turf.

This year they won the conference outright. In  2022, however, the team received backlash after being named co-champions alongside the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Eagles. 

“That was our main goal throughout the offseason. We trained to go to the Celebration Bowl and actually win it. There was a lot of chatter this offseason about us not earning a ‘full ring’ last year and that really motivated us,” said Williams. 

Both the NCCU Eagles and the Howard Bison finished with a 4-1 conference record in 2022, but when the two teams faced up last year, the Eagles dismantled the Bison with a 50-21 victory. The Bison flipped the script this year, as they dominated the visiting Eagles and sent them out of Greene Stadium with a 50-20 loss. 

After the controversial crowning of two conference champions last season, the MEAC did away with co-champions. The conference voted that even if two teams finish with the same conference record, the winner of the MEAC will be decided by a tie-breaker. 

This season proves to be a very historic one for the Bison. This is the first time in school history that the Bison finished two consecutive seasons claiming MEAC championship honors. It is the first time since 1993 that the Bison are outright MEAC champions, and this will be only the third time that the Bison are competing in postseason play in program history.

“We continue to make history. This year they decided that there are no ties… that rule comes about because Howard is the school that is officially tying [for a MEAC championship], alright fine. Make the rule. We [knew] we had to win out, and we did it,” said head coach Larry Scott.

The Celebration Bowl is an adored postseason bowl game birthed in 2015 and is heralded as the de facto Black College Football National Championship. The MEAC conference winner plays the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victor. The game takes place in Atlanta every year, formerly in the Georgia Dome and now at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It is currently the only bowl game contested by teams in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Howard’s SWAC opponent has yet to be determined as the SWAC Championship game has yet to be played. On Dec. 2, the Florida A&M Rattlers (10-1, 8-0 SWAC)  and the Prairie View A&M Panthers (6-5, 6-2 SWAC) will face off to determine who will represent the SWAC in the Celebration Bowl. The MEAC currently holds a 6-1 record against SWAC opponents in the Cricket Celebration Bowl.

The post Peach State bound: Howard University football team qualifies for first Cricket Celebration Bowl appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Higher education officials in Mississippi voted Nov. 16 to name a new president of Jackson State University, the state’s largest historically Black university.

The board of trustees for the state Institutions of Higher Learning named Marcus L. Thompson the 13th JSU president, concluding a monthslong search that began after the March 31 resignation of the university’s former president Thomas K. Hudson.

Thompson currently serves as the deputy commissioner and chief administrative officer of the Institutions of Higher Learning public university system.

“The Board selected a leader who knows the unique historic importance of the university who will articulate a bold vision for the future and will be indefatigable in the pursuit of excellence for Jackson State University,” said Steven Cunningham, chair of the Board Search Committee.

Hudson, the former president, was put on leave in March. Months prior, the JSU faculty senate issued a vote of no confidence in Hudson. They had raised concerns about campus safety and curriculum changes. Elayne Hayes-Anthony, who had been the chairwoman of JSU’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies, served as acting president.

Thompson earned a doctor of philosophy degree from JSU in urban higher education. In a statement Nov. 16, he said would develop a consensus around the university’s goals.

“I’m very honored to be named President of Jackson State University because I believe in its mission, purpose and most of all, the outstanding faculty, staff, alumni and students who embody our school’s motto of challenging minds, changing lives,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s appointment will be effective Nov. 27.

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By Ariyana Griffin 

WASHINGTON D.C.- Thousands of Howard alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and supporters filled the streets and Howard’s campus this weekend, showing their HBCU pride as they prepared to close out their Homecoming festivities. 

Every year, Homecoming welcomes alumni back with welcome arms, and it becomes something to look forward to. “I have a lot of friends and great memories here. I met my wife here, so we try to do this annually, come out and rehash where we first met. We turn it into a date night,” said Larry Flagg, class of ’80.

With similar sentiments, Shayna Yvonne Rudd, Miss Howard University 2005-2006, explained that it’s a tradition she tries to withhold every year. “We come out every year. It’s a form of self-care for me. We do a lot in our work life. Howard raised us up to be great, so most of us work very hard,” she said. “When we come back home, it’s to fill up our tank to be reminded of who we are, to connect with our brothers and sisters here. So, I don’t miss Homecoming.” 

For many first-year students, it was their first time exposed to Homecoming HBCU culture, and they were not sure what to expect. “Well, I didn’t know what Homecoming was when I first got here. I thought Homecoming was like prom, but everybody was like, ‘Oh, it’s like a big event.’” said Anthony Vaughn Jr., a freshman finance major. 

It was completely different from what I expected, and it was pretty cool meeting up with many alumni and the events. So far, it has been 10 out of 10.” He said.  

This year’s theme for Homecoming is Revival; according to the university, it “signifies the time to recapture the enthusiasm of the past, rekindle our flames of school pride and reconnect with the stories and memories that make Howard special.” On Oct. 14, The Mecca kicked off Homecoming with a day of service and concluded on with a chapel service on the 22nd. 

Aware of the tragic events that occurred this year at Morgan State University and Bowie State during Homecoming season, Howard’s public safety department made it clear that safety was their number one priority for visitors, students and the larger community. The university expressed that safety is a shared commitment and that they have a strong proactive safety plan due to several forged relationships with law enforcement. 

Deyla Davis, a freshman journalism major, expressed that she felt safe at Homecoming overall. “I feel like Howard has been making it their mission to protect their students,” she said. “Obviously, there’s always going to be a threat somewhere. I think there were a couple of threats, but personally, I wasn’t around them. So I feel safe around here. There’s a lot of people out here, a lot of alumni, a lot of adults, so I’m fine, and I hope everybody else is fine.”

Dark reds, indigo blue, and grays flooded the campus and stadium as people showed pride wearing Howard’s colors and paraphernalia. The Yard was packed with D-9 organizations, families and music. The Howard University Bisons football team competed against Norfolk State’s Spartans and took home the win. The score was 27-23. 

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By: Amber D. Dodd
Special to the AFRO 
adodd@afro.com 

Homecoming may be a longstanding tradition at all universities, but Howard University’s homecoming is like no other. 

From all walks of life, alumni, students, friends and family, all gather in Washington D.C. to celebrate the lifelong bonds that Howard University has fortified. But, surviving the latest pandemic and the everchanging dangers of being Black in America, these reunions and long-time-no-sees hugs resonate harder for older alum. 

Elder alums spoke to the AFRO about the magic of Homecoming and how reconnecting with old friends, supporting their community and returning to Howard reignites their spirits.

Saturday morning, tailgaters and members of the Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha set up their tents in the parking lot across from Starbucks and food as they chatted after the homecoming parade. 2023 marks 47 years in the Alpha fold for Jonathan Johnson of Mt. Vernon, N.Y., 70, who graduated with a political science degree in 1974. “Because of Howard, I was prepared for the world,” he said. 

“Howard has been great to me, I got a great education. I worked downtown at the White House and the folks from Harvard or Yale could tell me nothing because I went to Howard,” Johnson said. “My degree took me all over the world, in every continent except Antarctica.” 

One of the eldest members present from the Beta chapter, Johnson said he returned to  enjoy the festivities and boasted about the Alpha’s Homecoming Greek Step Show win on Friday night. He visited his old dorm room in Cook Hall Room 129 and found landmarks where he met his wife of 47 years, Bonny, on campus. 

“It’s good to see Howard has grown, it’s good to see that Howard is still the Black Mecca and the leader of HBCUs.” Johnson said. 

Brian Watkins, another Beta chapter member and 1990 graduate, called Howard the “best four years of my life.”

“Homecoming is home, it’s reconnecting, it’s reenergizing, it’s just so welcoming to be back, I want everyone to experience this.” He said. 

Watkins says that the biggest difference in the Howard experience today is DC’s cost of living and the definition of fellowship. 

“HBCUs have to compete for the best Black minds now, and I think Howard’s doing pretty well, but I am concerned about the cost of tuition and housing,” Watkins said. “This is all great, but students can’t afford to live here. I talk to parents and they’re talking about paying $1,500 a month for housing. Plus, college is competing with so many other things for these kids’ attention. All we had to do was leave the dorm and that was our whole day right there.” 

Saturday’s biggest draw was the football game against Norfolk State University. This year, football alum Richard McGee, a 71-year-old Washington D.C. native, returned to William H. Greene Stadium 43 years after his last game as a offensive lineman in 1980.

McGee said that there was a “collective understanding” about the importance of education for Black men and general feelings at the time. 

“We all felt that we were all in a serious time, because the Vietnam War was going on at that time, and the one thing that brought you to reality is to know that you can be sent to the war at any time,” McGee recalled. “You flunked out, you were in the jungle the next year.”

In high school, he integrated the Bladensburg High School football team. While alone in that experience, his fellow Howard teammates also broke the color barrier at their respective schools too. 

McGee is a member of the Howard University Football Hall of Fame 2005 class and said that, with Howard’s long standing traditions still honored at the best Homecoming of all time, it shows the consistent Black excellence that the University produces. 

“This is going to be with you forever, take advantage of your time, even when the world beats you up, you can always come home. This is a safe haven from all the riff raff in the world.” McGee said. 

While patrons filtered into the stadium for the Howard Bison’s homecoming battle against Norfolk State University, many ignited old flames and friendships with familiar faces. This was the case for a trio of Howard women from the Class of 1987, Yolanda Rowell, Felicia Carpenter and Deitre Epps. They reflected on Howard’s political landscape in the 80s and how daughters of Black revolutions around the world were flocking to the Mecca.

“We were here with Stevie Wonder, and we marched right up to Washington to make Martin Luther King’s birthday a [federal] holiday,“ Rowell said. Epps also mentioned students being arrested for protesting the apartheid at the South African embassy. 

“Jesse Jackson was running for president, and that was one of our first Black men on the ticket,” Rowell said. “Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy, they were my favorite groups. At the time, our radicalism was perfect. It spoke volumes to me.” Rowell said. 

Now at homecoming this year, they chatted about the goals they’ve accomplished, the everyday whereabouts and the children they’ve raised. With these new updates, it’s true that with distance, Epps said, the heart does grow fonder.

“Imagine how that felt after 40 years,” Epps said. “It felt like a belonging, home, family, remembered, cherished, all of those things. Some of this stuff doesn’t come back immediately, but what does come back is that feeling.”

“Yesterday, Felicia said that we’re going to meet up with Yolanda, I said I don’t remember her until she started describing her and then I had this “ding!” moment, asking ‘Wait, Yolanda with her hair like that?! Who curled it under with a bump curl? An image of her 40 years ago popped in my head.”

Rowell beamed with pride for another one of their classmates: United States Vice President Kamala Harris.

“We’ve got the vice president from here, and just to see her hold it down, I just see ‘truth and service’ all in it,” Rowell said of Howard’s motto. “I think there was a torch being passed from Thurgood Marshall being the first Black Supreme Court Justice. She’s not sitting in the seat, Kamala is working and that’s the beauty of it.”

In a thriller Homecoming game against the Norfolk State Spartans, Howard University battled for a 27-23 victory in Greene Stadium Saturday afternoon. 

At halftime, the 1993 football team were honored for their 30-year anniversary. Under head coach Steve Wilson, the team went undefeated in that season, winning the 1993 MEAC conference title. Doug Morency was an offensive lineman at that time, and beamed with pride at the stadium-wide recognition. 

“Coming back 30 years later, seeing how Howard has progressed and how the team has progressed, it warms [my] heart because I was part of this foundation,” Morency said. “It’s really beyond football. Football was just a catalyst.”

Morency recalled the love he shared with his teammates, calling them brothers that “never lost touch.” He said that Howard’s homecoming festivities are a testament to the University’s ability to build lifelong friendships throughout the Black community. 

“We bled together, cried together, won together, fought together, and DC was a different time back then, we had to stick together to survive,” Morency said. “Thirty years later, we’re still close. We have lawyers, doctors, vice presidents, Olympians, congress people, you name it. It’s about life after football as a Howard man.”

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Portland, OR – adidas recently announced the signing of Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze to the brand’s growing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) roster, marking the brand’s first football student-athletes. The Oct. 20 signing reflects a continued commitment by adidas to supporting student-athletes and empowering the next generation of athletes.

“I couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with the adidas family. I’ve been in the three stripes my entire college career and their support has meant a lot to me. I’m excited about this unique opportunity to help further the brand and I’m appreciative of their investment in my university, my teammates and myself,” said Heisman contender Michael Penix Jr. “adidas has shown that they’re committed to student-athletes across the country and I’m thankful to be a part of their commitment.

”In contention for the Heisman Trophy, Washington Huskies quarterback Penix Jr. is one of four captains for the program, with 16 touchdowns and 1,999 passing yards in just five games this season. Last season, he was the nation’s (FBS) leader in passing yards per game (357.0) and was subsequently named the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year and placed on the All-Pac-12 Second Team.

Washington Huskies wide receiver Odunze joins the adidas family as one of Washington’s captains, having led the Pac-12 in receiving yards last season (1,145) and earning a place on the All-Pac-12 First Team. Ahead of the 2023 season, he was named to AP’s Preseason All-America First Team and a flurry of other preseason recognitions.`

`It’s an honor to be joining the adidas family as one of the brand’s first football NIL athletes,” said Rome Odunze. “adidas is committed to empowering me to shape my brand and my future, and I’m looking forward to inspiring the next generation of athletes.

”Both athletes will proudly represent the three stripes and participate in brand marketing campaigns.

Adidas’ partnership with the University of Washington dates back to 2019 and includes efforts to invest in student-athletes across all sports while also creating programs that increase representation and visibility for a more equitable future in sport. Penix Jr. and Odunze aren’t the first Huskies to join the adidas family, with softball star Kinsey Fiedler joining in 2022.

Student-athletes at Washington are also able to participate in the brand’s sweeping NIL network, which launched in July 2022 as a first-of-its-kind program aimed at creating a more equitable future in sport. The adidas NIL network boasts thousands of active student-athletes representing over 25 sports, including hundreds of athletes from Washington across 14 sports on campus.

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By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Morgan State University football player Elijah Williams recently landed a name, image and likeness (NIL) contract with The Harbor Bank of Maryland, a Black-owned bank based in Baltimore. The senior defensive lineman was most recently chosen for The Bluebloods 2023 FCS Preseason All-American Team and has a number of other accolades under his belt. 

The contract will enable Williams to market himself, affording him the opportunity to receive compensation from businesses that want to use his NIL for advertising and promotional campaigns. The Harbor Bank of Maryland’s execution of the deal is a product of its longstanding relationship with MSU. 

“We really feel that not only is this an opportunity for us to financially impact Elijah but, ultimately, it’s an opportunity to impact Elijah in his career,” said Stanley Arnold, executive vice president and chief lending officer for The Harbor Bank of Maryland. “We feel like this deal is a way to have a lasting impact on an HBCU student.” 

Before July 2021, NIL contracts were prohibited by the NCAA, but a U.S. Supreme Court decision ruled that it was illegal for the association to bar student athletes from profiting off of endorsements, apparel, brands and more. 

The Harbor Bank of Maryland called on Anthony Johnson, founder of Renaissance Sports Group, to help facilitate the deal. His entire company comprises historically, Black college and university alumni. 

Williams’ deal furthers Johnson’s mission of creating more opportunities for HBCU students to obtain NIL contracts. 

“I think there needs to be more intentionality around the NIL space being equitable for HBCU student athletes,” said Johnson. “With us being in this space, we see how deals are allocated and to whom they’re allocated, and we see that there’s clearly a disparity. We want to be intentional about balancing that scale to the best of our ability.” 

Williams, a native of New Jersey, began playing football when he was 7 years old. He was drawn to the camaraderie and competition of the sport and dreamed of playing in the NFL. 

In his freshman season at MSU, Williams started in every game and finished as the Bears’ third-leading tackler. Since landing the contract, Williams said his teammates have started calling him, “Mr. Harbor Bank.” 

“It’s a blessing. It was something that really just came out of nowhere. I didn’t expect it,” he said. “Once I got it, I said, ‘Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity that you’ve given me. I’m going to make the most of it.’”

Williams still plans to go to the NFL. He’s in the process of deciding whether he wants to play one more season with the Bears or take his chances with the league next year.

Beyond the NIL contract, The Harbor Bank of Maryland is also prepared to support Williams in his studies as a marketing major. Arnold said the student athlete will be able to participate in a paid marketing internship with the bank after graduation, which could later turn into a full-time position if Williams does not go to the NFL. 

“I think it’s been a great opportunity for us to find an individual whose potential and future we feel confident about,” said Arnold. “Even if he doesn’t make it to the NFL, we’re going to have an individual who’s going to be a substantial contributor to society in some way.” 

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By AFRO Staff

Morgan State University (MSU) officials have decided to cancel or postpone all events related to the 2023 homecoming season. 

In a message to the MSU community on Oct. 4, David K. Wilson, Ed.D., president of the institution explained the decision.

“Today, we unfortunately find ourselves navigating this tragic event during a time at which we should be celebrating our National Treasure during Homecoming. Please understand that the safety of our campus is of the utmost importance and our resolve in ensuring that we have a secure campus is paramount,” stated Wilson, in the letter. “In response to last evening’s events, we are aggressively increasing security measures on campus, further amplifying additional security measures that have been implemented in recent years.” 

“Regarding Homecoming, regrettably for the very first time in Morgan’s history all activities planned around Homecoming will be either canceled or postponed until the perpetrator(s) of this atrocity have been found and brought to justice,” explained Wilson. 

The institution will postpone the MSU 39th Annual Homecoming Gala, which was set for Oct. 6, and the football match against the Stony Brook University Seawolves that was planned for Oct. 7. 

Wilson said in his letter that “canceled activities include: the Homecoming Concert, Silent Headphones Party, Homecoming Pep Rally, Homecoming Parade and all other on campus events including our Lady Bear Volleyball match.”

Students are being offered counseling and classes were canceled for the remainder of the week. 

Wilson said the choices made were tough. 

“We arrived at this decision after very careful—and at times emotional—deliberation with key stakeholders within our University community including members of my administration, student leaders from SGA and our University Council,” he wrote. “In closing, I want to reiterate our unwavering commitment to delivering a safe campus for our entire Morgan family. We greatly appreciate the support of our larger community who have expressed their concern and support during this most trying time. As more details become available, please know that you will hear from me in the coming days.”

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By Deborah Bailey,
AFRO Contributing Editor,
dbailey@afro.com

Thanks to the Durant Family Foundation, the standout player at Bowie State University’s A.C. Jordan Arena this basketball season is the facility itself. 

Wanda Durant joined Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaux and members of the university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams at a ribbon cutting to celebrate completion of $500,000 in renovations and upgrades to the facility.  

“I’m grateful that he [Kevin] realized it’s important to give back to an HBCU. Maybe he can be a catalyst for other athletes throughout the country to give back to HBCUs,” Wanda said at the ribbon cutting ceremony. 

Durant said the basketball court at Bowie was always a place where the community was welcome.  She reflected on the court as the place where her son, Kevin Durant, power forward for the Phoenix Suns, and his brother Tony got their start as children. 

“I remember when I brought my sons here to play. Sitting in the bleachers and hollering at the referees. I never thought it would come to this” Wanda reflected.    

President Breaux added that the Durant Family Foundation filled a void space where donors are needed to step up and support public HBCUs. 

“The athletic departments at our public universities must rely on private donors. State funds do not come to our athletic departments,” Breaux said.  

“When you [Wanda] walked in here and saw the renovations for the very first time, I saw the tears in your eyes. Your son was here this summer coaching a pick-up game,” Breaux said admiring the connection the Durant family continues to have with Bowie State University. 

The Durant Family Foundation upgrades are one chapter in a host of upgrades Bowie State University has planned for its athletic complex, according to Clyde Doughty, Athletic Director.

Additional athletic upgrades include replacement of the current football stadium and grandstands, anew softball field, additional track and athletic fields, as well as locker rooms, practice space, according to Bowie State’s Facilities Master Plan.

Members of the women’s and men’s basketball program were beaming at the ribbon cutting. Fans will come out and cheer on the Lady Bulldogs who will play on the new court in November. 

”It means a lot to us (the team) because we work so hard to be where we’re at,” said Saniha Jackson, a junior who will play as the team’s center this year. “Now, everybody will get to see us do what we love on a brand new, bright court.”

 Kyree Freeman Davis, point guard and junior said the upgrades to the facility are right on time for the fabulous year he predicts is coming up for the men’s basketball team. 

“It brings joy to my eyes to see the gym so bright and lightened up,” Freeman Davis said. 

The junior point guard said the new facility motivates the team and looks forward to seeing the fans reaction who will fill the stands in a few weeks.

“I like coming in here now. This space gives you a much better vibe. I’m not going to say too much, but I think it’s going to be a very good year,” Freeman Davis said. 

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By Cliff Brunt,
The Associated Press

Floyd Keith has waited half a century for a Black coach with Deion Sanders’ swagger and success to shake up college football.

The fanfare and hoopla surrounding the Colorado program since Sanders’ arrival has been well documented, but Keith, who for more than a decade was executive director of the Black Coaches Association, hopes the spotlight leads to opportunities for more Black coaches.

Even with a loss at Oregon on Saturday that knocked the Buffaloes out of the AP Top 25, Sanders has the football world’s attention. The 75-year-old Keith believes that includes decision-makers who typically have shied away from hiring Black coaches.

“There was maybe this model that everybody (thought they) had to follow,” Keith said. “There was this blueprint of the way it’s done. Well, I think Deion shattered that.”

While there is optimism, there’s also a healthy dose of skepticism. Sanders is a unicorn in many ways, so it’s unclear if the whirlwind he has created will have coattails.

Keith never got the big break to become head coach at one of the major Division I programs, but he fought tirelessly for others. He was an assistant coach at Miami (Ohio) and Colorado in the 1970s before taking over as head coach at Howard, a historically Black university. He later was the head coach at Rhode Island, a Football Championship Subdivision program.

The battle he was fighting continues today.

There are just 14 Black head coaches roaming the sidelines at the 133 Football Bowl Subdivision programs while roughly half the players are Black. Just seven of the 69 Power Five head coaching jobs are held by Black men. Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and Penn State’s James Franklin are the only ones leading what would be considered traditional powerhouses.

Those jobs don’t come open very often and Sanders didn’t get one either.

He took over a Colorado program that won a single game last year and opened this season with victories over TCU, Nebraska and Colorado State, vaulting the Buffaloes into the national rankings while unapologetically being himself. 

“Coach Prime” is usually the loudest and boldest person in the room, displaying a bravado Keith considers necessary because Black coaching talent has been overlooked for decades.

Jacobs said losses like the one at Oregon will be rare for Sanders.

“This is probably the worst team Deion Sanders is going to have because by the time he corrects that offensive and defensive line and people are calling him, there’s going to be talent there,” he said. “The sky’s the limit for them. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them competing for a national championship next year.”

As Sanders succeeds, those who have fought similar battles applaud him. Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, a star running back for Colorado’s 1990 national championship team and former Colorado offensive coordinator, loves what he’s seeing.

“As a Black man, obviously, I’m just proud of everything that he’s accomplished,” Bieniemy said. “It’s been fun watching him do his thing, his way, and not apologize for anything that he has done or said or how his players have responded. It’s been unique watching that process.”

This article was originally published by Associated Press.

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By Re’Jon Jones,
Special to the AFRO

In a highly anticipated matchup, the Hampton University Pirates emerged victorious against the Howard University Bisons on a sunny September afternoon. Both teams, playing at the Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 16 showcased an  impressive display of talent, fostering an atmosphere of rich culture, legacy  and a friendly rivalry.  

The game, coined the annual Truth and Service Classic, drew an enthusiastic crowd of alumni, students, families and football fans alike. Both spirits and tensions were high as the two teams took the  field, aiming to put on a show for their loyal supporters. 

From the first whistle, Howard showed their dominance, with quarterback Quinton Williams orchestrating a potent offense. Williams connected with his  teammates for three touchdowns in the first half, quickly putting the Bison ahead. The chemistry between Williams and his receiving corps, including  senior Kasey Hawthorne, was on full display as they moved up the scoreboard with ease.  

At halftime, over 16,000 fans paraded into the stands anticipating the legendary halftime show which showcased a battle between both HU bands. This  performance engaged the crowd with renditions of Black American classics,  talented dancers and showstopping drum majors. The halftime show was sealed with the roaring cheers that erupted throughout the stadium.  

Amidst all the fun and culture, one age old question remains, “Who is the real HU?” 

“Everyone knows Howard is the Real HU, the founding dates speak for  themselves,” said Deonte Jones, a sophomore at Howard University from Oakland, CA. “But aside from the rivalry, deep down inside both schools have  a love for each other. It’s like a family, we can mess with them but others can’t. I’m here for all HBCUs, for the culture.” 

For much of the game, Howard held the lead. With only 6 minutes and 11 seconds left in the third quarter, Howard scored a field goal putting them ahead 31-14. A few plays later, Hawthorne was lost for the day due to a head injury. 

The momentum shifted almost instantly, allowing Hampton the opportunity to come back.  

The fourth quarter began with Howard holding a 10-point lead. With 8 minutes and 2 seconds left,  Hampton’s Paul Woods completes a 12-yard touchdown pass from Christopher Zellous, cutting Howard’s lead to 34-28. After an unfortunate series of plays by Howard, Zellous completes a one-yard touchdown run with 3 minutes and 2 seconds left, advancing Hampton to a one-point lead causing a shift of energy in the stadium. Bison fans were now on the edges of their seats. 

Howard’s last possession of the game resulted in an interception with 44  seconds to go, confirming Hampton’s victory. 

In the final seconds of the fourth quarter, Hampton celebrated their win. Hampton’s players taunted Howard’s fan section, proudly repping their  school. Players yelled out to the crowd, “We’re the Real HU,” while imitating  Howard’s famous call, “H-U,” only to find that no one would respond “You  know!” 

In the end, both teams celebrated each other cultivating the HBCU love and  support everyone in attendance was there for.  

“Hampton may have won but Howard’s legacy speaks for itself,” said Kyla  Jefferson, a Howard University junior from Atlanta. “It’s more than just a  game. It’s Black excellence.”

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By Deborah Bailey
Special to the AFRO

President Joe Biden spoke on the state of the country’s economy while visiting students at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) on Sept. 14. While Republican lawmakers wrangled over the appropriations process late last week, Biden reached outside Capitol Hill’s fiscal fight and spoke to community college students, faculty and staff less than 20 miles from the White House. Biden discussed his economic vision,  branded as “Bidenomics” by the media.     

“As many of you know, my wife is a professor at a community college. As a matter of fact, she’s teaching today,” President Biden began to hearty applause from the PGCC audience. “She has an expression, ‘Any country that out-educates us will out-compete us.’ The work you’re doing here in preparing students to compete in the economy of the future is real, it matters.”

Biden’s visit was timely, as Congress is headed into a showdown over passing the federal government’s FY 2024 budget appropriation bill.  He was joined by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD), Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

“Growing economies are built from the middle out and the bottom up instead of the top down,” Biden said.  “When the middle class does well, the poor have a ladder up and the wealthy still do quite well.”

Biden pointed out statistics reflecting the success of his administration noting unemployment under 4 percent for 19 months which happened for the first time in U.S. history and the 13 million jobs that have been created in the economy since he took office.

Biden laid out a comparison between “Bidenomics” the economic policies and legislation touted by his administration and what he labeled as “MAGAnomics,” the budget plan supported by far-right and fiscally conservative Republicans, Biden said.    

According to the nonpartisan Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, total employment today, including private government employment, is now 3.8 million jobs higher than in February 2020. Today, there are more than 4 million jobs in private employment than before the pandemic. 

“You can’t have the strongest economy in the world without the best infrastructure in the world,” Biden said in defense of his landmark legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).   

Biden signed the measure into law in August 2022, providing a wide range of measures to raise revenue from corporations and individuals earning more than $400,000 while supporting the needs of average Americans with measures like reducing the price of prescription drugs.   

Biden said far right Republicans plan to raise the retirement age to 67, preventing one million disabled citizens from receiving Medicare subsidies and cutting Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and The Children’s Insurance Program (CHIP) by more than half.

“Biden’s economic message resonated with people like me who are juggling work, school and raising a family,” said PGCC student Najwah Fairweather, a patient care technician at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Howard County. “I feel like it was God sent for me to be here.”

Fairweather has been attending PGGG while raising 8 children. Then tragedy struck. Her son, Mikael Crier,  was killed at age 11 in  2021, after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bike.

 “The economic message that was supposed to be heard was definitely received,” Fairweather said.

Dr. Diana Wilkins, PGCC Manager of Experiential Learning, said she attended to see what plans Biden had for students, who face rising costs for school, family and work-related expenses. She liked the ideas Biden expressed, but remains concerned about obstacles on the road ahead for him on Capitol Hill.   

 “Joe Biden sincerely cares about young people,” Wilkins said. “He cares about the working class. But he has an uphill battle in fighting with Congress and lawmakers who have a different idea about the economy.” 

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By Stacy M. Brown,
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent,
@StacyBrownMedia

(NNPA NEWSWIRE) – In a grand celebration of HBCU excellence, the 2023 Toyota HBCU New York Classic kicks off a week-long extravaganza from Sept. 12-16. The event, billed as the world’s largest HBCU homecoming and one that celebrates HBCU culture, promises various activities beyond the football field, aiming to immerse attendees in the vibrant tapestry of historically Black colleges and universities.

Classic President Albert Williams and other organizers were enthusiastic about the big week. 

“We can’t wait to celebrate HBCU football and culture for a full week this fall,” Williams, the president of 1105 Sports, which produces the Classic, said during an appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s “Let It Be Known” show. “Bringing the game to the New York area allows us to expose youth in New York, New Jersey and beyond to HBCUs and the bigger HBCU community. Our goal is to showcase the HBCU culture and life experience through a full week of events. We want fans, students and alumni from all HBCUs to come out and participate.”

The week’s pinnacle is the showdown between Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) rivals Albany State and Morehouse College. Both teams are gearing up to launch their season with hopes of clinching the SIAC championship, with the introduction of a new divisional format adding an extra layer of excitement. The game will be aired live on CNBC, Peacock and the NBC Sports App on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 3 p.m. EST.

Schedule Highlights:
Tuesday, Sept. 12
• Mayor’s Kickoff Lunch, 12–2 p.m. ET
Mayor Eric Adams, Morehouse College President David A. Thomas and Albany State President Marion Ross Fedrick will officially launch the 2023 HBCU New York Classic at Sylvia’s in Harlem, N.Y. This exclusive event sets the tone for an extraordinary week.

• NYC High School Education Day, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
High school sophomores, juniors, seniors and community college students are encouraged to attend. Admissions representatives from Morehouse College and Albany State University will be on hand at the Borough of Manhattan Community College to illuminate the importance of higher education and unveil the exciting programs and experiences HBCUs offer.

Wednesday, Sept. 13
• NJ High School Education Day, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. ET
A similar event will take place at the New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, with admissions offices from both Morehouse College and Albany State University providing insights into the invaluable opportunities presented by HBCUs.

Thursday, Sept. 14
• “HBCU Inspired” + The Great Debate at the Apollo, 7 – 10 p.m. ET (Doors open at 6 p.m. ET)
Marking the 35th anniversary of Spike Lee’s “School Daze” and “A Different World,” cast members will share their journeys and how HBCUs played a pivotal role. Notable personalities, including Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison and Darryl M. Bell, are scheduled to attend. Additionally, a spirited debate between Rutgers and Morehouse College on affirmative action promises to ignite intellectual sparks.

Friday, Sept. 15
• Greek Step Show, 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. ET (Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET)
The Divine Nine takes center stage at the New Jersey Institute of Technology for a dazzling performance. This ticketed event guarantees an evening of high-energy entertainment.

Saturday, Sept. 16 (Game Day)
• Yardfest, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The MetLife Stadium’s parking lot transforms into a vibrant tailgate experience. Attendees can revel in full-service tents, offering everything from game tickets to exclusive field and press conference access. HBCU enthusiasts, fraternities, sororities, fans, students and alumni are all invited to partake in the festivities.

• Career Expo, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lot F of MetLife Stadium will be the site of a career fair featuring major companies like the New York Jets, Wells Fargo, Johnson & Johnson and MetLife, offering upcoming and recent graduates, career seekers and switchers fresh opportunities. This event is open to all, emphasizing the inclusive spirit of HBCUs.

“Our mission is to amplify HBCUs and folks that have been positive in the African-American community,” Williams said. “You don’t have to be an HBCU graduate or African American as long as you’re doing something positive for the African-American community.” 

Williams said the event transcends football. He called it a cultural immersion, “a chance to experience what HBCU students and graduates live daily.”

This article was originally published by the NNPA Newswire.

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By Beth Harris,
AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bronny James went into cardiac arrest during a basketball workout at the University of Southern California last month because of a congenital heart defect, according to a family spokeswoman.

The 18-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James was stricken on July 24. He was hospitalized at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and later was seen by doctors at the Mayo Clinic and Atlantic Health-Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey.

A statement issued Aug. 25 by Stephanie Rosa of the LeBron James Family Foundation said the probable cause of James’ sudden cardiac arrest has been identified.

“It is an anatomically and functionally significant Congenital Heart Defect which can and will be treated,” the statement said. “We are very confident in Bronny’s full recovery and return to basketball in the very near future.”

The younger James was released from Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles three days after the incident at USC’s Galen Center. The following night he dined out in Santa Monica with his family.

Bronny, whose full name is LeBron James Jr., committed to USC in May after the 6-foot-3 guard became one of the nation’s top prospects out of Sierra Canyon School in nearby Chatsworth.

James didn’t join the Trojans on their European tour this month.

Bronny James was the second high-profile USC basketball recruit to go into cardiac arrest in the last year. Vincent Iwuchuwku also was stricken during a workout last July, but the 7-foot-1 center returned to the court six months later, eventually appearing in 14 games for the Trojans as a freshman.

___

AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/lebron-james

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By UDC Communications

On June 24 the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) will unveil a statue made in the image of Edwin (E.B.) Bancroft Henderson, Ph.D. The statue will be located at the Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson Sports Complex on the Van Ness Campus. 

The work of art will be presented to the public at 1 p.m. in honor of the educator, basketball pioneer, civil rights activist and author who is recognized as the “grandfather of Black basketball.”

Henderson graduated first in his class in 1904 from a predecessor institution of UDC with a degree in education. He later attended Harvard University’s Dudley Sargent School of Physical Training and became the first African-American man to earn certification to teach physical education in the nation.  

Amid powerful civil rights challenges, Henderson was instrumental in forming the first rural branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He served two terms as president of the Virginia chapter of the NAACP and was on the board of directors of the D.C. branch. His pioneering efforts as an organizer and activist laid the foundation for athletics in the Black community in the nation’s capital and around the United States. And as a public school teacher in Washington, D.C., his students included such notable figures as musician Duke Ellington and medical pioneer Dr. Charles R. Drew.

Henderson co-authored the annual Spalding “Official Handbook of the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Middle Atlantic States” from 1910-1913. Additionally, he wrote “The Negro in Sports” in 1939, which was revised in 1949, and “The Black Athlete” in 1968. His estimated number of published articles is over 3,000. 

Henderson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the UDC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. 

The Dr. E.B. Henderson Memorial Fund Campaign supported the development of the statue. The Campaign was established through the UDC Foundation, the university’s charitable partner, in honor of Henderson. Donations received through the campaign have supported the establishment of a scholarship endowment and summer sports camps for youth from D.C.’s wards 7 and 8. 

In February 2022, UDC renamed its sports complex to the Dr. Edwin Bancroft Henderson Sports Complex in his honor. 

Classically trained master sculptor Brian Hanlon was selected to create the E.B. Henderson statue. 

The only public university in the nation’s capital and the only exclusively urban land-grant university in the United States, the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a historically Black university committed to a broad mission of education, research and community service. 

This article was originally published by UDC Communications.

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By The Associated Press

EMMITSBURG, Md. (AP) — Todd Bowles kept a promise to his late mother and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach is now a college graduate.

The 59-year-old Bowles walked across the stage at Mount St. Mary’s University on May 13 to receive his diploma after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in youth and community development.

Bowles missed the second day of the Buccaneers’ rookie camp to attend the ceremony, knowing his mother Joan would be proud of him for completing his degree 37 years after he left Temple to begin his playing career in the NFL.

“My mother never said anything, she just went with it and she let me go ahead and live my life,” Bowles said while he addressed the graduating class. “She passed in 2009 and the only thing she asked me was to make sure I got my degree.

“I stuck with it and here I am at 59. You’re never too old to stop learning. You stop learning and you get old. You get old when you stop learning. So I say to you, Class of 2023 — the future is yours, take it, grab it, run with it, be excited — be excited — every now and then come back and thank your parents.”

Bowles, entering his second season as coach of the Buccaneers, was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and played college football at Temple under coach Bruce Arians. The defensive back signed with Washington as an undrafted free agent in 1986 and played eight seasons in the NFL — winning a Super Bowl in 1988.

Bowles turned to coaching after his playing career ended, serving in a variety of assistant roles with several NFL teams before becoming the Miami Dolphins’ interim head coach in 2011. He reunited with Arians, who was the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, in 2013 as the defensive coordinator before getting his first full-time gig as a head coach with the New York Jets in 2015.

After four seasons with New York, he joined Arians’ staff in Tampa Bay — again as the defensive coordinator — before taking over as the Buccaneers’ head coach last year when Arians retired.

“This is an amazing, amazing thing for me to be in a class with you,” Bowles said while speaking to the graduating class. “I’m more nervous now than I ever was speaking in front of a locker room at halftime.”

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By John Zenor,
AP Sports Writer

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The spectators were mostly Black kids, ranging from elementary school to high school. The teams — all from historically Black colleges and universities — had names that won’t resonate with the average baseball fan.

Wiley College. Bluefield State. Rust College.

The Black College World Series, held May 10-13 in Montgomery, is giving dozens of HBCU players from NAIA and Division II schools a chance to compete for a title beyond their own leagues and perhaps attract attention from Major League Baseball teams.

Not a single one of their HBCU predecessors was on an MLB opening day roster this year, despite a rich history of big league alums that includes Hall of Famers Lou Brock (Southern University), Andre Dawson (Florida A&M) and Larry Doby (Virginia Union)

“We all have concerns about the fact that we don’t have as many African-American players playing today,” Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith said. “But it’s all about what do you do about it? I think it’s going to take the work of all of us.”

HBCU athletics have taken on a higher profile recently in sports ranging from football and basketball to gymnastics and wrestling. But their role as a pro pipeline has been scrutinized.

The Black College World Series hopes to change that for baseball, and now it has support from MLB, one of several efforts by the league to boost participation among Black kids.

Only 59 of the 945 players (6.2%) on opening day rosters this season were Black players born in the U.S. That’s a nearly two-thirds decline from when the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sports started compiling Racial and Gender Report Card data in 1991. Back then, it was 18%.

There were no U.S.-born Black players in last year’s World Series for the first time since 1950, not long after Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color barrier.

It’s a far cry from when Smith was starring for the St. Louis Cardinals starting in the early 1980s. Smith said it’s a trend that concerns current players and his contemporaries alike.

The process of addressing that issue, to him, starts with getting minor league baseball opportunities for one player at a time, not expecting wholesale increases overnight. Over the long term, it’s also about generating interest and chances for kids like the thousands brought out to watch the Black College World Series games.

Only 8.4% of Black children aged 6-12 played baseball regularly, according to a 2020 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

Smith, who did not attend an HBCU, thinks part of the decline is kids seeing players having more rapid success in the NBA and NFL, instead of having to climb through the minor leagues. That includes high school phenoms-to-NBA stars like LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant.

“Baseball probably will give you more longevity than some of the other sports, but because it’s not that instantaneous success in making it to the big leagues, I think, is what holds them back a little bit,” Smith said. “If a kid can play football or he can play basketball, they look at that as a quicker avenue to stardom.”

LaMonte Wade, the only Black player on the San Francisco Giants, said events like the Black College World Series are a great first step.

“Anytime that you can promote Black players playing the game, and that’s what it sounds like they’re trying to do, I feel it will bring more attention,” Wade said before Thursday’s game at Arizona. 

“Representation is down, therefore not too many African-Americans are following the sport.

“Once you get into high school you kind of have to pick what sport you want to play,” he added. “Most African-Americans choose basketball or football. That’s mostly where our friends are playing, but if we can start them at a young age I think we can get the numbers up.”

Cleveland Guardians slugger Josh Bell sees other barriers to Black participation.

“Fifty years ago, baseball was played in cul-de-sacs and streets and parks and now, a lot more kids are inside, and baseball is more about taking your kid to private lessons and who has the best bat and who is on the best team,” Bell said.

“…You’ve got to bring it back to this generation and [do] what it’s going to take to advance it,” he added.

Michael Coker, a former baseball player at Edward Waters College, started the Black College World Series in 2021. In May, MLB signed on to help support the event sponsored by Tyson Foods, which brought in some 10,000 youths from Montgomery and surrounding areas, according to company spokesman Derek Burleson.

“What’s really important for young kids is to see people that look like them,” said Jean Batrus, executive director of the Youth Development Foundation, a collective effort by MLB and the MLB Players Association. “And you’re more willing to play a game if you see a Black, African-American coach, you see other kids playing.”

Coker said none of the players have been drafted from the first two Black College World Series, though a handful of scouts have come out. The event, which concluded May 13, included Albany State, Savannah State, Bluefield State, Edward Waters, Miles College, Talladega College, Rust College, Wiley College and Paine College.

It’s not the only event geared toward increasing exposure for players from historically Black schools. The inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic will feature 50 HBCU players in July during MLB All-Star Week at the Seattle Mariners ballpark with Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. helping to assemble the roster. MLB’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program has also produced several Black big leaguers, including CC Sabathia and J.P. Crawford.

Four of the top five players selected in last summer’s MLB amateur draft are Black, and all were alumni of MLB’s Dream Series, a showcase event predominantly targeting Black players.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen said the answer is clear-cut for improving HBCUs’ athletic prospects. It comes down to money. McCutchen cited current Colorado coach Deion Sanders’ efforts at Jackson State in football, where he coached previously.

“There’s only one answer, and we all know the answer too, and it’s the elephant in the room: funding,” McCutchen said. “That’s what every single college, and especially HBCUs, need. To be able to give their team the exposure that they feel like their players deserve, and to get that treatment that other divisions are able to get. It’s funding.”

Montgomery resident Corey Cortner also said that representation, even at the BCWS level, was critical. Cortner helped chaperone the class of his son, who plays youth baseball, to watch Wiley and Rust on May 12. To him, “it’s a great event” getting college players exposure and even a chance to enjoy having kids ask for autographs.

“Overall, we need to try to increase participation of minorities in baseball and this is a great way to get that going,” said the 50-year-old Cortner, who is Black. “It gives them an opportunity to see people that look like themselves playing on the big stage.

“Just seeing yourself in someone else … is a great motivation for all kids. That goes beyond race. That shouldn’t be just a Black thing.”

___

AP freelance writer Jack Thompson in Phoenix, AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland and AP Sports Writer Noah Trister in Detroit contributed to this report.

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By Deborah Bailey,
Contributing Editor

Bowie State University recently held the fifth annual UMPC Social Justice Alliance Symposium in honor of Second Lt. Richard Collins III, a University of Maryland, College Park student killed in a 2017 hate crime. Collins was posthumously elevated to the rank of first lieutenant. 

The event took place on April 28, and included a panel discussion in front of hundreds gathered to talk about racial and social justice in sports. 

Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes, WNBA star Marissa Coleman, NBA Sports columnist and UMD professor Kevin Blakistone and former Washington Wizards player Eta Thomas joined student athletes Rainelle Jones, a UMC Volleyball player, and Zion Tyler, a Bowie State University track and field star, for the talk. Nothing was off the table, as participants assessed racial justice in the world of collegiate and professional athletics.

Tonia Walker, CIAA Associate Commissioner led the athletes in the hard hitting panel discussion, which brought the heat on a range of topics related to college sports and social justice. One topic discussed was the danger of becoming institutionalized with the new NCAA Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) rules. 

The NIL rules, adopted in June 2021 allows NCAA Division I, II and III student-athletes to receive compensation for the use of their name, image or likeness whether the state has NIL laws in place or not.  The new NIL rules will not override state, college/university or conference NIL rules. 

But the regulations have been widely criticized for being hastily put together, creating a new class of student athletes and widening the gap between the “have and have nots,” based on who actually receives compensation, according to the panelists. 

Olympian Dominique Dawes dived right into the NIL controversy. 

“The top NIL athlete is not the greatest gymnast that’s out there,” Dawes said without hesitation.  

“I don’t think the powers that be really took the time to investigate how NIL could impact sports. For the female athletes, the ones that are making the most money are the ones that are sexualized, unfortunately,” Dawes offered. “I understand why NIL was developed. Colleges are making an extraordinary amount of money on these athletes. However, I think there needs to be a little more thought about NIL.”

“It’s a little more difficult if your sport is not football or basketball,” said Jones, emphasizing that, outside of the elite NCAA teams, women’s volleyball is not a sport that draws a premium level of endorsements. 

Track and field athlete Zion Tyler, who attends Bowie State, mentioned HBCU athletes are also often left out of the collegiate sports conversation on a variety of levels.”

“There’s three things that are needed right now: equity, inclusion and opportunity,” said Tyler. 

“These three things are lacking at our HBCUs. We may not get the same NIL deals and the extra funding for our athletes and it’s not because of a difference in talent.  There’s plenty of talent at HBCUs–it is the opportunity to show their performance,” he said.  

The athletes spoke on how community support– or lack thereof– can be an additional barrier to Black athletes on Black campuses.

“Here at Bowie State, we’re in the middle of the forest. You go up the street to Ledo’s Pizza (five miles from campus) and they have the UMD gear,” said Tyler, in reference to the lack of support seen from local businesses when it comes to HBCU sports teams. 

The closest restaurants and other businesses to Bowie State’s campus are located 2-3 miles away from the campus itself, restricting the campus-community integration that benefit many PWI’s, including the University of Maryland, with major businesses just a short walk across the street from campus.     

A 2021 report from McKinsey Institute on Black Economic Mobility supports Tyler’s concerns. According to the study, more than 80 percent of HBCUs are located in areas that fail to service Black consumers.  

Frankki Bevins, lead author of the McKinsey Black Economic Mobility Institute study, notes that “82 percent of HBCUs are in broadband deserts; 50 percent are in food deserts; and 35 percent are in areas without superstores that could offer consumers a full range of groceries, furniture and clothing.” 

Later in the program, Dawes and Thomas were awarded the Social Justice Alliance Trailblazer Award.

The Annual Social Justice Alliance Symposium, in honor of the legacy of Lt. Collins, is a collaborative effort between Bowie State University, the University of Maryland College Park and the Second Lt. Richard Collins Foundation. 

Collins had just been commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, and was days away from graduating with his bachelor’s degree at Bowie State University when he was murdered on the University of Maryland College Park campus on May 20, 2017. 

The Second Lt. Richard Collins III Foundation was created shortly after his death to eradicate intolerance, while confronting individuals and systems that normalize and justify injustice, hate and perpetuate violence. The foundation’s vision is to “command the mission of social justice.”

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By Seyoum Mensuphu-Bey,
Special to the AFRO

Social media networks and traditional media alike were set ablaze after the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championship game, played between the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers and the University of Iowa (Iowa)on April 2. The phenomenal court matchup between Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark was absolutely spectacular, ending with a 102- 85 score.

But sports fans are not talking about the performance by Reese and the champion LSU Tigers. 

Instead, the topic of conversation is solely focused on how Reese taunted her opponent, Caitlin Clark, as she soared towards victory.  Much of the conservative male dominated media sector spewed a visceral of personal attacks toward Reese calling her “classless” and even sports broadcaster Keith Olbermann went as far to calling Reese a “[expletive] idiot” via his Twitter account with 997,500 followers. 

Reese and the LSU Tigers were one of the most dynamic teams in the country this year which led them to winning their first national championship. Clark had a career year, closing out the 2023 season with the Naismith Player of the Year honors.

The two have a history of being expressive on the court when facing off against high-ranking opponents. In fact, the photos plastered across the headlines all week have shown Reese mimicking moves that Clark herself did first in games against other players in the past.

But history shows us that African-American athletes are characterized very differently than White-American athletes. Luckily, Reese is a hometown girl. Those who personally worked with her were eager to talk about who the star athlete really is– outside of the negative headlines. 

AFRO News got an up close perspective from Reese’s high school coach, Nytearia Burrell, at St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. 

Burrell gave her reaction to Reese leading LSU to their first national championship and the criticism her former player has been receiving for taunting Clark towards the end of the national championship game.

“Angel– who we actually call ‘The Big Ticket’ – is the ultimate leader and she wants to be first at everything. I would consider her  a competitor at heart. I knew she would find a way to lead her team to victory.” 

Burrell also spoke on the criticism that Black women face in the sports industry. 

“The criticism that Angel received was not random,” she said. “Black women in sports, Black women in professional spaces, Black women throughout the world are often not treated fairly and are treated worse than other women.” 

Burrell gave the AFRO an interview discussing Angel Reese, the championship game and her personality on the court. Read below to find out more.

AFRO News: How long have you known Reese? 

Burrell: “I coached Angel for four years and have known her for nine years prior to her coming to St. Frances.”

AFRO News: What type of player is Reese? What kind of person is she?

Burrell: “Angel has always been a leader. She not only holds her teammates accountable, but she is the first one to hold herself to a high standard. The criticism that she received is not a reflection of her character in any way.”

AFRO News: As a current coach and former competitor in the game of basketball, what were your thoughts on Dr. Jill Biden’s suggestion that the University Iowa join the winning team at the White House– despite them losing the national championship? 

Burrell: “My stand on Dr. Jill Biden inviting Iowa to the White house is that the national champion should be for those who won the championship. I do like the stance of bringing women to the White House for inclusion, but that can happen at another time.”

AFRO News: What should the world know about Angel ‘The Big Ticket” Reese?

Burrell: “Angel is passionate about what she believes in and will remain loyal to the core. Angel is a giver, Baltimore is the city that she loves and I know that she will always come back to and give back to the city.”

The outcome of the NCAA women’s basketball National Championship game– and the fallout that ensued after the final buzzer– was bitter sweet. 

Clark and Reese were able to bring millions of eyes to the sport of women’s basketball, potentially increasing popularity for the sport. Both Reese and Clark have great futures beyond the collegiate level.

In a surprising bit of irony, Reese’s cousin, Jordan Hawkins led the men of the University of Connecticut to an NCAA championship win on April 3. Hawkins added 16 points and 4 rebounds to the 76-59 victory over San Diego State.

Reese and Hawkins grew up together in Maryland and both are now national champions in collegiate basketball. 

In response to her cousin’s win, Reese expressed excitement about the next family gathering. 

“Cookout this year bout to go uppp (sic),” she tweeted. 

Their victories are truly a win for the entire state of Maryland.

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Submitted by Steve Kramer, Director of Athletic Communications

BALTIMORE – Seryna Esparza had her third-straight multi-hit game as the Coppin State softball team fell to Maryland Eastern Shore, 7-1 on Saturday afternoon at CSU Softball Complex. The Eagles now stand at 4-22 overall and 1-10 in the MEAC.

Esparza had two of the team’s four hits with Brissa Alvarado and Celeste Gonzales having the others.  CSU drew six walks as well with two being issued to Manaia Fonoti and Brooklyn Tapusoa. Fonoti also stole a pair of bases.

Isabel Tobias went the first 4.0 innings and allowed just one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts in the loss. Vanessa Carrizosa went the final 3.0 innings and all five of her runs were unearned.

Maryland Eastern Shore scored the first run of the game in the top of the first on a fielding error with two outs. Coppin left five runners on base over its first three at-bats before breaking through to tie the score on an RBI single from Alvarado which scored Tapusoa from second.

Three hits and a pair of errors allowed the Hawks to score five runs in the fifth to make it a 6-1 score.  The visitors scored one more in the seventh as CSU got just another single from Esparza and a walk from Xzylia Maravilla in its final turn at the plate.

Coppin travels to Georgetown on Tuesday, April 11 before hosting MEAC rival Howard in a makeup game at 3 pm on Thursday, April 13.

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Submitted by Steve Kramer, Director of Athletic Communications

SALISBURY, Md. – A pinch hit grand slam by Anthony Divittorio was not enough as Coppin State’s baseball team dropped a 5-4 game at Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon.  The Eagles now stand at 11-20 overall and 4-8 in the NEC.

Coppin outhit the Hawks, 7-5, getting a pair of hits and a walk from leadoff man Brett Curran, but Divittorio’s roundtripper was the only extra-base hit for the Eagles. Josh Hankins, Corey Miley and Angel Colon all had a base hit and a walk apiece.

Tyler Nichol got the start on the mound and gave up just three earned runs on three hits while striking out three in 5.0 innings.  John Neeld made his season debut and pitched and retired all three batters he faced. Rashad Ruff threw the final 2.0 innings and allowed a run on two hits while striking out a pair.

UMES scored a run in the first and another in the third before scoring a pair in the sixth to take a 4-0 lead. The Hawks’ tacked on another run in the eighth, which proved to be huge.

Hankins and Miley started the ninth with back-to-back walks before Colon loaded the bases with a single.  After a strikeout, Divittorio replaced Bryce Thompson and slugged his first career home run over the fence in right field to cut the deficit to a single run.

Unfortunately, the next two CSU hitters retired, allowing Maryland Eastern Shore to come out with the win.

Coppin is set to host Lehigh on Wednesday, April 12 before welcoming Stonehill for a three-game NEC series on April 14-16.  Friday’s game is set for 3 pm, followed by a 1 pm start on Saturday and 12 pm on Sunday.

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Submitted by Steve Kramer, Director of Athletic Communications

HANOVER, Md. – Brett Curran tied a school-record for hits in a game in the opener and Josh Hankins drove in four runs in the nightcap as the Coppin State baseball team split an NEC doubleheader against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday at Joe Cannon Stadium. The Eagles now stand at 7-16 overall and 4-5 in league play while the Knights move to 12-9-1 on the year and 5-4 in the NEC.

Game 1: Fairleigh Dickinson def. Coppin State, 7-4

Brett Curran went 5-for-5 with a double and two runs scored, becoming the 12^th different Eagles player to record five hits in a single game. Jordan Hamberg also had a pair of hits while Sebastien Sarabia drove in a pair of runs with a base hit and a walk.

Brody Black matched Curran with two runs scored while going 1-for-3 with an RBI while also being hit by a pitch twice.  Mike Dorcean was also hit by a pitch, breaking the school-record for times being hit by a pitch in their career.

Marcos Herrand took the loss, allowing seven runs while striking out five in 6.0 innings.  Tim Ruffino faced the minimum nine batters in the final three innings, fanning three Knights.

Coppin led early in the game, scoring twice in the first on a sacrifice fly by Sarabia, followed by an RBI single from Dorcean.

After a scoreless second, Fairleigh Dickinson scored four times in the third before CSU got one of the runs back with an RBI single by Sarabia, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

Black tied the score at 4-4 in the fourth, driving in Curran with a single to right field.

FDU retook the lead with two runs on three hits in the fifth before tacking on another in the sixth on a throwing error. Coppin stranded four runners over the final four innings, failing to capitalize and allowing the Knights to pick up the win.

Curran’s fifth hit of the game came at the start of the ninth inning with a single to right. He got into scoring position on a wild pitch before advancing to third on a single by Hamberg before a 6-4-3 double play ended the game.

Game 2: Coppin State def. Fairleigh Dickinson, 16-5

Josh Hankins went 3-for-4 with a four RBI, a run scored and a walk while Angel Colon and Jordan Hamberg both had a pair of hits. Hamberg also scored four times, doubled and drew four walks in the game while Liam McCallum drew three walks along with three runs and a pair of RBIs.

Hamberg helped his own cause as he also got the win on the mound, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four in 5.1 innings. Nico Felber gave up just one run while fanning three over the next 2.2 innings before Rashad Ruff finished the final inning.

FDU took an early lead with a double steal in the first, but the advantage was short-lived as Coppin scored five in its half of the inning. Brett Curran started it off with a single before Black was hit by a pitch and Hamberg drew his first walk. McCallum drove in the tying run with a single before Sam Nieves reached on an error, allowing three runs to score. Hankins drove in Nieves with a opposite field double to make it a 5-1 lead.

Hamberg held the Knights scoreless in the second and Sebastien Sarabia extended CSU’s lead with an RBI single to right, scoring Hamberg after he walked and stole second.

The Knights scored three in the sixth off Hamberg before Felber got the final two outs of the inning, keeping the score at 6-4.

Mike Dorcean was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, extending the lead to 7-4 as well as his school-record for being plunked by a pitch. Hankins then drove in both Hamberg and McCallum with a single to right to make it a 9-4 lead.

After FDU scored a run in the seventh, Coppin put the game out of reach with a seven-run bottom half despite recording just two hits. Four-straight walks, another Dorcean HBP and two more walks led to a two-run single by Colon.

Felber got a 1-2-3 eighth before Ruff retired the side in the ninth as Coppin picked up the victory.

Up Next

Coppin returns to action on Tuesday, March 28 when it makes the short trip to Towson for a 3:00 pm non-conference tilt.

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BALTIMORE – Coppin State’s softball team rallied for five runs in the sixth to defeat Howard University, 6-4 in the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon.  After falling, 11-3 in the nightcap, the Eagles now stand at 4-13 overall and 1-4 in the MEAC while the Bison move to 9-16 on the year and 2-3 in league play.

Game 1: Coppin State def. Howard, 6-4

Celeste Gonzales and Avianna Peterson both had a pair of hits and combined for four RBI while Brissa Alvarado and Aniyah Haley each drove in a run. Alvarado also drew a pair of walks while Brooklyn Tapusoa scored twice.

Vanessa Carrizosa went the distance in the circle, allowing just three earned runs on six hits.

After a scoreless first, Howard took the early lead with a pair of runs in the second before Coppin got on the board with an RBI single from Alvarado in the third, driving in Tapusoa who reached on a three-base error.

Carrizosa escaped a jam unscathed in the fourth and tossed a 1-2-3 fifth before giving up just a hit in the sixth to keep it a one-run game.

Seryna Esparza led off the CSU sixth with a single before being moved to second on a sac bunt from Xzylia Maravilla. After a groundout, Peterson tied the score with an RBI single before Gonzalez took Howard deep to centerfield just beyond the outstretched arms of the outfielder. The ball bounced to the wall and Gonzalez raced all the way home for a three-run inside-the-park home run, giving Coppin a 6-2 lead.

Howard scored a pair of runs in the seventh on a hit and an error before Carrizosa got the final batter to flyout, sealing the win.

Game 2: Howard def. Coppin State, 11-3

Celeste Gonzales drove in another two runs with a triple while Brissa Alvarado and Manaia Fonoti added base hits. Avianna Peterson drew a pair of walks while Isabel Tobias took the loss in a complete game.

The Bison scored five in the first, a run in both the second and third and three in the fourth to take a 9-0 lead.  Tobias threw a 1-2-3 fifth inning to keep CSU alive and the Eagles rallied for three in the bottom half to extend the game.

Vanessa Carrizosa and Peterson led off the frame with walks before Gonzalez drove in both runs with a triple to right field, cutting the deficit to 9-2. Dillon Morgan then laid down a sac bunt which scored Gonzales to make it a six-run game.

Howard extended the lead back to eight with a two-run sixth with four base hits, putting the possible run-rule back into effect.

Fonoti tripled down the line in right but was stranded there despite a walk and stolen base from Peterson.

Up Next

Coppin returns to action on Tuesday, March 28 when it travels to Mount St. Mary’s for a 3 pm doubleheader.

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BALTIMORE – Coppin State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Juan Dixon will not return for the 2023-2024 season. Coppin Athletics Director Derek Carter today announced that Dixon is relieved of his duties, effective immediately.

“After fully evaluating the men’s basketball program and performance, we feel a change of leadership is necessary moving forward,” said Carter. “We wish Juan and his family the best for the future. We thank him for his time at Coppin.”

Dixon, the seventh head coach in the history of the Coppin State men’s basketball program, finished his six-year tenure at CSU with a 51-131 overall record.

A national search for a new head coach for Men’s Basketball will begin immediately.

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By AFRO Staff

Day three of the 2023 CIAA Tournament was a nailbiter for fans in Downtown Baltimore. 

The men of Lincoln University met the Virginia State University Trojans on Feb. 24. 

Lincoln University pulled out a win. 

According to information released by CIAA officials, “the number six seed Lincoln Lions shot 51-percent from the field, connecting on 10-of-18 shots from the field in the second half to knock off the number three Virginia State Trojans, 75-67, in the CIAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Thursday night inside CFG Bank Arena.”

Lincoln was unstoppable with the likes of Bakir Cleveland, who scored 24 points, and Korey Williams, who scored 21 points. Reggie Hudson wasn’t far behind, putting up an additional 18 points over the course of the game, which included five rebounds from him. 

But the Lions weren’t the only team with double-digit scorers on hand. 

Virginia State’s Terrence Hunter-Whitfield offered 21 points and six rebounds. He was followed by Zach Newkirk, who scored 13 points and Francis Fitzgerald, who scored 12.

With their Thursday win, Lincoln University advanced to the semifinals for the 2023 CIAA Tournament to face off against Fayetteville State University. 

Also on Thursday Claflin University’s men fell to Winston-Salem State in a 60-52 game. 

For the women, number six seed Shaw University went against Winston-Salem State and won in a match that ended with a final score of 54 to 48. 

The ladies of number five seed Elizabeth City State scored 76 points to Bowie State University’s 54 points. 

ECSU’s NyAsia scored a whopping 30 points, proving why she was named Food Lion Game MVP. 

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By AFRO Staff

Day two of the 2023 CIAA Tournament was full of excitement for those who flocked to Baltimore for a second day of games and activities on Wed., Feb. 22. Some of the top historically Black colleges and universities faced off on the court, while historically Black organizations like Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity engaged in fellowship opportunities off of the court. 

Day two included matchups between the ladies of Virginia State University and Lincoln University. Number two seed, Lincoln University, beat out number seven seed, Virginia State, in a 78 to 57 finish for the quarterfinals. 

Emerging victorious, the Lincoln Lions will now move on to the semifinals of the 2023 CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, which take place Friday, Feb. 24, at 8 p.m. The Lady Lions of Lincoln will meet up with Shaw University, which pulled out a win against Winston-Salem State in the Feb. 23 quarterfinal game.

Other women’s games on day two  included the meeting of Johnson C. Smith (JCSU), ranked as the number eight seed, and Fayetteville State, the top seed of the women’s tournament. After a riveting game, the final score on the board recorded 62 points for JCSU and 54 for Fayetteville State.

For the men’s games, top seed Virginia Union (VU) met up with the men of Elizabeth City State University, ranked as seed number nine. The game ended with VU taking home the “W” with a 75 to 64 final score. 

Other CIAA quarterfinal scores for men included the 82- 50 final score between Lincoln and JCSU, which kicked off the opening round of games on Feb. 22. The Winston-Salem State men’s basketball team finished on top against Saint Augustine with a score of 65 to 49, and the men of Fayetteville State also had a close game against Shaw. The final score in the Fayetteville State v. Shaw University match up closed out 58 to 53, with Fayetteville taking the lead. 

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By AFRO Staff

The 2023 CIAA Tournament returned to Baltimore from Feb. 21 to 25. The CFG Bank Arena in Downtown Baltimore was full of activity as the nation’s premier Black athletes met on the court. The CFG Bank Arena, formerly Royal Farms Arena, is newly renovated and opened its doors for the first time for this year just in time for the CIAA Tournament. The competition hosts a number of HBCUs throughout the country who –for a second year in a row– have converged on Charm City to compete and celebrate Black history, Black sports and African-American culture. 

On the first day of the tournament, the women of Shaw University beat out Claflin University 62 to 49. Johnson C. Smith’s women came out victorious against Virginia Union in the opening round, with a final score of 72 to 54. The men of Shaw University beat Bowie State 63 to 53 on day one, with Elizabeth City State eking out a win against Livingstone College, 74 to 69.

The tournament once again increased business and revenue for the City of Baltimore, where Mayor Brandon Scott has made it clear that he wants the tournament to return to Baltimore each year moving forward. 

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By AFRO Staff

Fans of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) from around the nation converged on Baltimore this week for the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament. HBCU athletes, cheerleaders and mascots left it all on the court as they faced off with some of the country’s top athletes. 

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2023 Super Bowl full of historic milestones

Black athletes and artists were crown jewels of Super Bowl 57. This year’s event was full of historic “firsts” as Sheryl Lee Ralph performed an inspiring rendition
of James Weldon Johnson’s Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” for the first time ever.

Rihanna also gave a landmark performance as the first pregnant woman to ever headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show

****************************

By The National Black Players Coalition (NBPC)

It was a long, hard-fought road leading to the historic Super Bowl LVII, where for the first time, two Black quarterbacks – Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs – squared off for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. 

For the National Black Players Coalition (NBPC), Super Bowl 2023 was an especially remarkable milestone. 

“Comprising 70 percent of the players on the field, we– the Black Community– are the NFL!” said NBPC representatives in a statement to media.

The National Black Players Coalition (NBPC) has pioneered the fight for justice on behalf of Black quarterbacks since it was founded by students on the campus of HBCU Howard University in 1994.

Over 25 years ago, in 1997, a group of Howard University students– men and women– gave up their Saturday studies in the library and instead, with books in hand, boarded a chartered bus at 4 a.m. in front of the legendary Cramton Auditorium armed with banners, flyers and press releases. The group headed from the campus to the National Football League (NFL) draft site at Madison Square Garden in New York City to protest the lack of Black quarterbacks in the NFL and its draft process. 

This was the first ever NFL Draft site protest on behalf of Black quarterbacks and the Black community in New York City, and it was held for three consecutive years from 1997 to 1999. The protests led to the one and only largest class of six Black quarterbacks drafted in 1999 which included: Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, Daunte Culpepper, Shaun King, Aaron Brooks, and Michael Bishop, 63 years since the NFL draft began. The students were led by NBPC founding student, Fred Outten. 

Throughout the years since its founding, the NBPC has led multiple protests in support of Black quarterbacks in the NFL, including demonstrations at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in the nation’s capital. 

In the past, the NBPC has conducted a special forum on the NFL and Black quarterbacks at Howard University, met with members of Congress, the NAACP, the Washington, D.C. mayor, the D.C. Council and the Maryland County Executive. Thousands were educated on collecting petition signatures calling for the then Washington Redskins–now Washington Commanders–to draft their first Black quarterback. 

In the early 2000s the NBPC also demonstrated against United Artists’ movie theaters, which were showing “The Replacements,” a movie about the Washington Football team’s (called Washington Sentinels in the film) 1987  season strike. The film falsely depicts the hero of the last game of the strike season against the Dallas Cowboys as a White quarterback (portrayed by actor Keanu Reeves), instead of having an African American actor portray the true hero, Tony Robinson, a Black quarterback who was the real hero during the actual game. 

Since its founding the NBPC has written extensively about the issue of racial discrimination at the quarterback and head coach positions in the NFL. In its most recent publication on Sept. 14, 2022, the NBPC issued a comprehensive “Open Letter To NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell,” covering not only racial discrimination at the quarterback position, but also addressed racial discrimination pertaining to other issues. The NBPC demands are:

▪ For every White quarterback on every team, there must be at least an equal number of Black quarterbacks.

▪ At least 16 of the 32 NFL teams must have Black head coaches by the end of 2023.

▪ For every White man and woman hired as NFL broadcasters and sideline reporters, Black men and women must be equally hired. Barring last minute changes, FOX scheduled all White broadcasters and sideline reporters for the Super Bowl LVII.

The NPBC looks forward to these demands being met at least by the 60th anniversary of the historic 1963 March on Washington on Aug. 28, 2023.

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By Bianca Crawley,
Special to the AFRO

This year is special for Fisk University, a private historically Black liberal arts college in Nashville, Tenn. On Jan. 6 their gymnasts became the first HBCU team to compete on the  National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level for their sport.

Since 1906, the NCAA has showcased remarkable competitive athleticism within various sports categories.  

Corrine Tarver, the director of athletics and head gymnastics coach at Fisk, was proud to have her team compete at the Super 16 Invitational Tournament in the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas Jan. 6. The ladies finished a few points behind the University of Washington (195-188), University of North Carolina (194-188) and Southern Utah (195-188).

A few days later, in the Jan. 13 round of the Super 16 competition, the gymnasts wound up in third place.  And competing again on Jan. 16 they clocked in fourth place.The team was formed 14 months ago under coach Corrine Tarver, the first Black gymnast to win an NCAA all-around title in 1989.

Spectators were voiced in awe at the Fisk gymnasts’ athleticism, talent, and power at the event.  Freshman Morgan Price of Lebanon, Tenn. earned top honors at the meet, competing in  all four individual events and finishing with a score of 9.9 on the vault, a marquee event in gymnastics.

Price won national recognition as a high school gymnast winning state and regional championships in 2021 and 2022. She turned down an invitation to attend the University of Arkansas when she learned that Fisk was launching a gymnastics program, Fisk officials said.

This month, the team will hit the mat at several locations in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia areas competing against the following universities:

Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. – College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va. 

Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. – The George Washington University, Western Michigan University, Ursinus College and Bowling Green University at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, D.C. 

Feb. 26 between noon and 6 p.m. – Towson University, College of William and Mary in Baltimore at the SECU Arena

https://www.fiskathletics.com/sport/gymnastics/2022-23/schedule

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Submitted by Steven Kramer, Director of Athletic Communications

NORFOLK, Va. – Coppin State’s Jewel Watkins has been named the MEAC Women’s Basketball Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. This is Watkins’ first weekly award this season after receiving a pair of Rookie of the Week honors last year.

A sophomore from Whitehall, Ohio, Watkins averaged 23.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists in a pair of games for the Eagles last week. Watkins opened up with 25 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, three steals and a pair of assists against South Carolina State.

Two nights later, Watkins notched a double-double with 22 points and ten rebounds along with seven 3-pointers and three blocks in a win over Delaware State. Watkins’ seven 3-pointers is one off the Coppin single-game record as the Eagles hit a school-record 12 3-point field goals in the victory.

Watkins ranks second in the MEAC with 15.1 points per game and 55 3-point field goals while ranking fourth in blocks (19) and seventh in rebounds (6.6). In MEAC play, Watkins is second in scoring (17.7), rebounds (9.2) and blocks (11) while leading the league in 3-point field goals (24). Watkins cracked Coppin’s top ten in 3-point field goals last night with 76 in her career.

The Eagles return to action at 2 pm on Saturday, February 11 at South Carolina State before heading to Durham, N.C., for a 5:30 pm tipoff at North Carolina Central.

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By Ralph E. Moore Jr.,
Special to the AFRO

Looking at the television commercials these days, comedian and Oscar winning actor, Jamie Foxx, is quite excited about betting on sports events on his phone.  So is the also very popular comic and movie star, Kevin Hart.  The former entertainer is on the BET MGM app, the latter on Draft King. The two well-known, highly regarded influencers are Black men who can and do get the public’s attention. But what exactly are they urging us to try these days? The answer: gambling, via phone and computer apps.

Sports betting seems to be the latest craze with apps that can be available easily on your mobile device. You can watch games on television (or in person) and bet on outcomes on your phone. If you bet on a winner of a game, that’s a money line bet. If you wager that a team will win or lose by a certain amount of points (or runs, goals or whatever) that’s betting on the spread, and if you feel lucky enough to gamble on several outcomes in a single bet, that’s a parlay. 

Online betting officially became legally available on Nov. 23, 2022 in the great state of Maryland –just in time for Thanksgiving Day bets on college and NFL football games.  According to the state’s Sports Wagering Application Review Commission (SWARC), these franchises were awarded online betting licenses and were ready to roll. Next in line are the following:

• Barstool Sportsbook (operator for PENN Maryland/Hollywood Casino in Perryville)

• BetMGM (operator for BetMGM Maryland Sports/MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill)

• BetRivers (operator for Arundel Amusements/Bingo World in BrooklynPark)

• Caesars Sportsbook (operator for CZR Maryland Mobile Opportunity/Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore)

• DraftKings (Crown MD Online Gaming)

• FanDuel (operator for PPE Maryland Mobile/Live! Casino and Hotel in Hanover, Md.)

• PointsBet (operator for Riverboat on the Potomac in Charles County)

Maryland was the second state to launch mobile betting during the 2022-2023 NFL season. The legal gambling process was an evolving one: first the states legalized gambling (Nevada has always had it), then they approved online betting. In recent times, however, Mississippi had the first legal bets placed in its borders on Aug. 1, 2018, after their law passed in 2017. The state of Pennsylvania permitted legal gambling shortly thereafter.

The floodgates to gambling were opened by the U.S. Supreme Court on May 14, 2018. The Supreme Court of the United States issued a much awaited decision that struck down the federal ban on states being able to authorize legal sports betting.

Betting has its own terminology, such as ‘action’ which is the amount of bets placed on the game. “Book” is an abbreviation for “sportsbook” which is an establishment that accepts bets.  A “dog” is the team that is expected to lose. And “lines” describe the point spread, the total or the money line. Finally, the word “lock” describes the team that is expected to win.  There are over 60 words and phrases in the glossary of gambling terms– only a pro knows them all.

But as more and more folks take to online gambling, more people will likely start speaking the language of betting.  Betting seems to be a very fast growing phenomenon in Maryland.  

The apps have built in safeguards and rules to ensure that one cannot gamble if under the age of 21 or if a person is in a state where sports betting is not yet legal based on the GPS embedded in the sports betting apps.

According to Maryland Sports Wagering Reports, mobile wagers could bet over $4 billion in the first year.  All major league sports as well as college games are available to bet on. The companies with licenses give 15 percent to the state of Maryland for public education programs that are part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund.

In a recent phone conversation with Bert Hash Jr., some perspective was offered on the value of sports betting revenue to the citizens of the state for its important need—education. According to his biography on the website for the current Sports Wagering Application Review Commission members, Hash is the retired President and CEO of the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore. He is a seasoned financial services executive with over 44 years of experience in managing various aspects of banking and financial services, including Equitable Bank for 15 years and Provident Bank of Maryland for 12 years. 

Hash was appointed to the Sports Wagering Application Review Commission by former Gov. Larry Hogan along with six other members. Hash said, “At the end of the day, the funding from the wagering is going to education needs of the state.  That should be very exciting for children and adults alike.”

As we all know, folks are going to gamble. And society benefiting from all the wagering in our state’s future can be worthwhile bets if done responsibly, of course.

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By Reginald Williams,
Special to the AFRO

“Bethune Cookman University has announced that Ed Reed has withdrawn his name from consideration to become the next head football coach at the university,” read the email submitted to Reed on the morning of Jan. 21. 

Responding before a room filled with parents, players and volunteers, an emotional Reed made it clear that he had not withdrawn his name.

“I’m not withdrawing my name as they’re saying. They don’t want me here because I’m telling the truth,” Reed said.  

Last week, the former Baltimore Ravens Hall of Famer furnished a series of live profane-laced social media rants, spotlighting some alleged apathy by the university’s leadership. In one of his less controversial posts, Reed, riding on campus in a golf cart, shows the deplorable conditions of the track field.

“Prime [Colorado coach Deion Sanders] was not wrong about what he was saying,” said Reed. 

“All y’all out there with your little opinions, you’re full [of] crap, you don’t know s—,” he added.

“I see it all too clearly. All our HBCUs need help. And they need help because of the people who’s running it,” he added. “There are broken mentalities out here. I’ve been here for a week-and-a-half and have done more than people who have been here in freakin’ years. And I’m not even hired yet—a damn shame.”   

Reed issued an apology to BCU days later. 

“I would like to sincerely apologize to all BCU staff, students, and alumni for my lack of professionalism. My language and tone were unacceptable as a father, coach, and leader,” he said. “My passion for our culture, betterment, and bringing our foundation up got the best of me, and I fell victim while engaging with antagonists on social media as well.”

Reed’s vitriolic rant struck a chord with the alumni of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide. 

Dr. Jason Johnson, a Morgan State University professor, was visibly disturbed.  “I am sick and tired of these drive-by, fly-by-night political analysts, journalists, and now apparent former NFL playing coaches who want to march into HBCUs—have not been there all of five minutes—and then attempt to lecture, not only the school and students but the entire country on the almost 200-year history of historically Black colleges and universities as if they know something because they walked through the quad,” he said. “It’s not just insulting what Ed Reed said because it shows not only a lack of professionalism, but it shows a deeper level of disrespect that all too many African-American professional athletes have for HBCUs.”

John Mitchell, former Washington Wizards beat writer and Howard University graduate, felt it was “inexcusable to have Reed walk into such a mess.” But, Darryl Towns, president of NC A&T Alumni, New York City Chapter, said there was no excuse for his tirade. 

“Ed Reed comes from the Brickyard, an impoverished community in St. Rose, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. He goes to Miami to play football, one of the most powerful and well-funded programs nationwide. He becomes a Hall of Fame football player. Return to his alma mater as an administrator. Now he comes to Bethune, apparently clueless that they suffer the same kind of poverty he experienced growing up. Seems like he forgot what the Brickyard was. Maybe Mr. Reed should have done a better job of investigating the offer before accepting it,” said Towns. 

In addressing the parents and players in his unofficial farewell speech, Reed made his way to the podium and spoke like a Baptist preacher on Sunday morning. 

“Temporary. Temporary,” intoned Reed. “We never know the day nor the hour. None of us know when that time will come…. This hurts. This hurts because these people don’t care about these kids like I do, and they should be the ones leaving and not me.” 

Explosive emotions—tears by Reed and some players, and laughter—followed Reed’s passionate words.

“You know I don’t wanna leave. And like I told you, I want all you recruits. But they have some corrupt people in this world, some evil people that don’t care about kids like I do. So, I want y’all to hear the truth from me. I ain’t withdrawing my name,” shouted Reed. “I got the receipts. They got all kinds of stuff going on round here—hoarding these buildings with nothing but trash…. You understand me? And Deion was right. And I know I’m right. And I’m working amongst Judas as Jesus walked with him. I didn’t have a problem with it. Cause even Jesus prevailed. And what God got for you no man can take.”

Then, with a figurative mic drop, Reed proceeded to his office and wrote “Gone” on a notepad, ending his extremely brief stint as the Florida HBCU’s head football coach. 

After Reed’s departure, Bethune-Cookman released a statement saying it had decided not to proceed with contract negotiations with Reed.

“While we appreciate the initial interest in our football program displayed by Mr. Reed during the course of recent weeks, we are also mindful of the qualities and attributes that must be exhibited by our institutional personnel during what have been uniquely challenging times for our campus as we recover from the impact of two hurricanes during this past fall semester,” the statement read. 

Reginald Williams, the author of “A Marginalized Voice: Devalued, Dismissed, Disenfranchised & Demonized” writes on Black men and Holistic Health concerns. Please email bookreggie@reginaldwilliams.org or visit amvonlinestore.com for more information.

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By AFRO Staff

The Morgan State Bears clawed their way to victory in the anticipated annual matchup against crosstown rival Coppin State before an estimated crowd of more than 1,700 at the Physical Education Complex Arena in West Baltimore on Jan. 14.

The Bears’ men’s basketball team clipped the Eagles’ wings early, setting the tone with a 10-0 lead and never looking back in a decisive 83-66 win. 

“We never fell when they made their runs, and that’s the mark of a good team,” Morgan State coach Kevin Broadus said in a statement. “Our defense was pretty good in holding them to 19 percent [4-of-21] from 3[-point range] and 30-something from the field. I thought our defense today was really good, and we’ve just got to keep building off of that.”

The win put Morgan State on a five-game winning streak and pushed them to the top of the MEAC heap with a 3-0 record. 

Isaiah Burke led the Bears in scoring with 30 points; Mike Hood scored 20 points for the Eagles.  

The triumph came after a similarly successful outcome in the clash between the Bears’ and the Eagles’ women’s basketball teams earlier in the afternoon.

Morgan State dominated its rival in a 61-46 win, making it the 11th straight win for the Lady Bears in their last 12 matchups against Coppin State. 

Charlene Shepherd scored a game-high 27 points and added eight rebounds, while teammate Sunshine McCrae contributed another 12 points and seven rebounds to the Bears’ win.

Coppin State was led by Jewel Watkins, who finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and a game-high four blocked shots.

Next up for the Lady Bears will be a trip to the Nation’s Capital on Saturday, Jan. 21 to take on defending MEAC Tournament champion Howard.

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By Hamil Harris

In 2022, it seemed like there was more news off the fields and courts of play than on them.  Top stories included WNBA star Britany Grinner, who was detained in Russia on drug charges for the majority of the year, and Brett Favre’s multi-million dollar welfare scheme, reported on in detail by NPR. Griner was finally released in a prisoner swap, complicated by the Ukraine-Russia war, and Favre has yet to face criminal charges for allegedly helping siphon welfare funds into a new volleyball court and wellness center at the University of Mississippi, where his daughter attended school and played volleyball.

The US Men’s Soccer team failed to get past the second round of the World Cup after losing to the Netherlands 3-1. Ultimately, Argentina emerged victorious over France in a 4-2 penalty shootout, after the final match inside Qatar’s Luseil Stadium led to a 3-3 tie.  

In College football, Jackson State head football coach and NFL veteran Deion Sanders decided to leave the HBCU to coach at the University of Colorado. Sanders, aka Coach Prime, is also taking with him his talented QB son and several other players and coaches.

The local sports news is that the Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson finally got a contract and is expected to make around 23 million this year. But now his future is unclear after he got hurt.

In terms of questions, after being under a cloud of investigations, Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Commanders, has decided to put the franchise up for sale. Among those bidding include entertainers Byron Allen, Jayzee and Amazon mega-billionaire Jeff  Bezos.

In terms of great sports “firsts,” University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams a native of Bowie, Md. won the Heisman Trophy this year. Williams, who played at Gonzaga High School in D.C., is the first person from the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area to win the prestigious award. 

The University of Maryland Terrapins is going to a bowl game after finishing the season 7-5. This is a first for Terrapin Coach Mike Loxley, another local Marylander who made out good this year. 

In high school sports, Northpoint High School won the 3A Maryland State Football Championship, and Archbishop Carroll High School in D.C. won the Washington Catholic Area Conference championship. 

The year opened up with the Winter Olympics, taking place from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22. The United States took home eight gold, 10 silver and seven bronze medals.

On Feb. 13 the Los Angeles Rams took on the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowls 56th year.

On Feb. 17, WNBA star Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia on drug charges. For a majority of the year family, friends and supporters cried out for her release. President Biden agreed to swap Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for the WNBA player on Dec. 8.

In early April, the Ravens confirmed that they would pay roughly $23 million to keep Lamar Jackson for the fifth year of his rookie contract. 

In late April, Mississippi Today reporter Anna Wolfe’s investigation into mismanagement of welfare funds uncovered that instead of helping families in need, Gov. Phil Bryant had given millions to former NFL star Brett Favre to build a wellness complex at University of Southern Mississippi.

On June 16, the Golden State Warriors won their fourth NBA championship since the year 2015.

On Sep. 2 Serena Williams, cultural icon and one of the greatest tennis players of all time, said goodbye to the world of professional sports in a U.S. Open match against Ajla Tomljanovic. 

On Nov. 2, rumors swirled as TMZ reported that NFL owner Daniel Snyder was contemplating putting the Washington Commanders up for sale.

From Oct. 18 to Nov. 5 the 2022 World Series took place in the world of Major League Baseball. The Houston Astros battled their way to the top with the help of pitcher, Framber Valdez, shown here. 

Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 10 of this year.

In early December, Deion Sanders, affectionately known as “Coach Prime,” announced that he would be leaving Jackson State University, an HBCU, for the University of Colorado, a predominantly white institution (PWI). 

On Dec. 18, players from Argentina took the top prize at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The American team was eliminated in the second round.

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By Kendall Lanier, NewsVision reporter

He may just be a freshman, but a Howard Bison football player is proving he has winning moves. NewsVision reporter Kendall Lanier speaks to Eden James about creating his own legacy at “the Mecca.”

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By Jamila Bey,
Word In Black

NCAA Division I, Varsity-level men’s wrestling is coming back to Morgan State University after a 25-year hiatus. Led by Kenny Monday, the first Black wrestler in history to win an Olympic gold medal, the program’s return will mark Morgan State as the only HBCU to offer NCAA Division I Varsity-level wrestling. 

An exhaustive search led the Bears to Monday, whose accomplishments in the sport remain unparalleled: Olympic gold medalist in 1988 and silver medalist in 1992, World Champion in 1989, USA Free Style Champion in 1985, 1988, 1991 and 1996, and three-time All-American and NCAA Champion in 1984. 

Monday has been inducted into the National Wrestling (2001), Oklahoma Sports (2003) and United World Wrestling International (2016) Halls of Fame, and as a coach, he has trained 30 national champions and 50 All-Americans.

In October 2021, the university announced its plans to revive the men’s wrestling program with the support of a $2.7-million gift from HBCU Wrestling (HBCUW), an organization dedicated to reestablishing wrestling programs on HBCU campuses. The donation provides funding for the program and supports up to nine full scholarships each year. 

President of the Morgan State University, David K. Wilson, said: “It isn’t every day that you can bring in a leader the caliber of Coach Kenny Monday–someone who has successfully competed and coached at the high school, collegiate and professional levels and has won throughout his career.”

 The first full season of Morgan’s new wrestling program is slated for 2023–24.

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By Fatiha Belfakir,
Special to the AFRO

For centuries sports have been an essential part of African-American culture. The role of athletics in the Black community is crucial, as some Black youths- like many of every race- perceive sports as one way of seeking self-identity and belonging. 

While today’s athletes enjoy a range of freedoms and privileges on American soil, the road to equality and opportunity has been marred by prejudice. Though many Black athletes achieved fame and fortunes in their respective industries, many more remained trapped between racial prejudice and stereotype, which paralyzed their participation in sports events and competitions. 

To combat the effects of Jim Crow in the sports industry, AFRO News reporters persisted in their coverage of sports, segregation in the major leagues and the equal treatment of Black athletes at every turn.

With sports editor Samuel Harold Lacy onboard, the AFRO American Newspaper delivered rich sports coverage, recording and documenting the history of popular and lesser-known sports in the United States of America. 

Lacy, a reporter, a columnist, and a television and radio commentator devoted nine decades to covering Black sports in an era of struggle and segregation. His coverage came at a time where competing and participating in sport games were a dream for most Black men and women. 

The legendary reporter constantly fought systematic racism in the athletic world and successfully brought African-American players and coaches out of the shadows. 

With a clear vision, sports’ articles from AFRO editions of yesteryear vary in terms of content.   The publication can be seen saluting and documenting Black athletes’ accomplishments-  fundamental in preserving Black sports history for generations to come. 

The AFRO American Newspapers covered events honoring athletes such as Leon Bailey, the first African American to integrate the Navy wrestling team, basketball icon Muggsy Bogues, and Erin Jackson, the first Black woman to win speed skating gold. 

The AFRO has long covered the cross over between the political realm and the athletic world. From Muhammad Ali’s refusal to submit to the Vietnam draft to the plight of WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, recently sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison on drug charges– the AFRO 

has continued the tradition of reporting from the intersection of politics and athletics. 

The paper has committed to history the struggles and achievements of Baltimore’s female golfers in their fight against segregation, while also covering the triumphs of local youth and college leagues.

And still today, the game is on! Check out the AFRO Archives today to learn more about your favorite athletes and find out how your beloved teams have fared over time.

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By Eric Olson,
AP Sports Writer

Anthony Holman is the highest-ranking NCAA official at the College World Series and the man in charge of the Division I baseball championship.

Holman is Black, and when he watches the games, he doesn’t see many people who look like him on the field or in the dugouts.

“I pay attention to it for sure,” he said, “and it’s disappointing. To have eight teams and maybe have a dozen or so folks of color, I think that’s something we should look to increase for sure.”

Baseball remains one of the least racially diverse college sports. There were fewer than two dozen Black players — and no Black head coaches or assistant coaches — among the eight teams that made it to the College World Series.

Of the 279 Division I teams not from historically Black colleges and universities, only 4% of players, 1% of the head coaches and 1% of assistant coaches were Black in 2021, according to the most recent NCAA research. While coaching staffs have remained mostly White with rare exception, the number of Black players at non-HBCU Division I schools went from 236 in 2012 to 434 in 2021.

“We have seen an uptick, and it’s much needed,” said Holman, NCAA managing director of championships and alliances.

Including HBCU teams, there were 665 Black players last year compared with 505 in 2012. As recently as 2014, there also were more White players (255) than Black (221) at HBCUs.

There will be four Black head coaches at non-HBCU schools in 2023, up from two this season.

Elton Pollock has been at Presbyterian for 18 years and Edwin Thompson for two years at Georgetown after five seasons at Eastern Kentucky. Kerrick Jackson was hired at Memphis last month, and Blake Beemer was announced as Butler’s new coach Tuesday.

Holman said he sees the hiring of Black head coaches as an important step when it comes to bringing more Black players into the game.

“If you don’t identify with a coach or other players, if you can’t see it, it’s tough to believe it,” Holman said. “We don’t want to lose a generation of players because there’s no path or no role model or no images for them to see.”

Jackson, the Memphis coach and chairman of the American Baseball Coaches Association’s Diversity in Baseball Committee, said his priorities are to generate funding for more programs aimed at introducing the sport to Black children, especially between the ages of 6 and 10, and developing a Black coaching pipeline at the high school and college levels.

“It’s one of those chicken-or-egg things,” Jackson said. “Do you need more coaches or do you need more players? I think we can go from both angles.”
There were only nine Black assistant coaches at non-HBCU Division I schools last year, so it will take time to get that pipeline flowing. Jackson said he wants to develop a network designed to identify Black players coming out of college or pro ball who show potential as coaches.

“We’re moving in the right direction when you look at what’s happened here in the last three weeks — me getting this opportunity here at the University of Memphis and then Blake Beemer getting the opportunity at Butler,” Jackson said. “I think it’s incumbent upon us to continue to make sure we provide opportunities to young coaches and players, and you have to start somewhere.”

The NCAA has partnered with Major League Baseball on initiatives to increase involvement of minorities as coaches, players and umpires, Holman said. MLB, the players’ union and others in 2020 pledged $10 million for programs intended to improve representation of Black players in all levels of baseball.

The NCAA also is working with MLB and the Jackie Robinson Foundation to start scholarship programs for Black players who might otherwise pursue football and basketball.

Football and basketball players receive full athletic scholarships. Baseball scholarships are capped at 11.7 per team, meaning most players receive partial aid, though the sport could see a dramatic increase in scholarships this fall once the NCAA’s Transformation Committee announces changes for modernizing NCAA governance.

Jackson said the number of Black players won’t increase immediately if baseball suddenly offers full scholarships.

“We can’t make the assumption that all Black folks are poor and that if baseball were more lucrative they would in turn decide to go with baseball because now it’s a full ride,” Jackson said.

“Now we’re making the assumption all the guys playing football and basketball are from low economic situations so they had to choose that,” he added. “Now we’re widening that gap and promoting those stereotypes that White kids play because they can afford to pay the difference in the college scholarship, and that’s not necessarily the case.”

Jackson said he was heartened at his introductory news conference at Memphis when a Black 12-year-old in attendance told him he wanted to be on hand to see a Black man get the head coaching job at the local university.

“He stood up during the press conference and asked, ‘When are you going to have camps because I want to come play for you,'” Jackson said. “It was this whole thing of, ‘Oh, wow, there’s someone who looks like me who is actually in charge. How do I become a part of that?’ We need to create more of those types of environments where we have more of these kids play.”

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By Special to the AFRO

Coppin State’s Jordan Hamberg of South Plainfield, N.J. has been named one of five finalists for the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, it was announced by the College Baseball Foundation on May 31. Hamberg is joined by Georgia State’s Cameron Jones, Devin Ortiz of University of Virginia, Murray State’s Jacob Pennington and Paul Skenes of Air Force.

“All season long, trimming this list to semifinalists and now to finalists has proven very difficult due to the outstanding seasons put forth by all our two-way players. But these five finalists have differentiated themselves not only through the statistics they’ve racked up but by being leaders of their respective teams,” Olerud Award chairman, George Watson, said. “Each one of these finalists is more than deserving of this award.”

The award is named for the former Washington State University standout who achieved success both as a first baseman and left-handed pitcher during the late 1980s and was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007. The award will be presented by the College Baseball Foundation later this summer.

A sophomore from South Plainfield, N.J., Hamberg led the Eagles to its first NCAA Regional Appearance after its first MEAC Tournament title since 1995. Hamberg was named the MEAC Pitcher of the Year and received First Team All-Conference accolades at both starting pitcher and utility.

Hamberg led Coppin with a 6-2 record on the mound, recording a 4.04 earned run average in 12 starts while striking out a school-record 86 batters with just 33 walks in 62.1 innings of work. At the plate, Hamberg hit a team-high .355 with eight home runs and 34 RBI (runs batted in) while accumulating a 1.094 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).

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Damon Wilson Takes Over Reins as 23rd Head Coach, Bringing Successful Record of Building a Competitive Program

By Morgan State U

BALTIMORE – Morgan State University today announced the hiring of Damon Wilson as the Athletics Department’s 23rd head football coach, effective June 1, 2022. Wilson, who brings a championship-level coaching pedigree and an extensive resume in collegiate football, replaces former Bears Head Football Coach Tyrone Wheatley, who left the program for a role as a position coach with the National Football League’s Denver Broncos.

Wilson comes to Morgan after serving for 13 seasons as the head football coach at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland. There, he achieved three straight Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference championships, in 2021, 2019 and 2018; five NCAA playoff berths; and three CIAA Coach of the Year honors.

“In Coach Damon Wilson, we have secured a high-caliber, proven leader, with an impressive record of winning, to oversee our football program and elevate it back to national prominence,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “Among the top-level coaching candidates that the incoming athletic director and I had the pleasure of evaluating, Coach Wilson was the standout, possessing an uncanny ability to recruit and mold talent. We welcome him to the Morgan team and look forward to his collaboration with Athletic Director Dena Freeman-Patton to earn Morgan a football championship.”

Because of the unexpected departures of both the former head football coach and athletic director, Morgan was compelled to initiate simultaneous national searches, with a higher priority on filling the latter. Upon her hiring, the incoming athletic director, Dena Freeman-Patton, began consulting with the firm conducting the search for the next head football coach, to review potential candidates and provide feedback/recommendations to President Wilson.

“Working closely with higher education placement firm Renaissance Search and Consulting, in conjunction with the University’s internal advisory committee, we were able to conduct a thorough and inclusive national search for the Bear’s next head coach,” said Freeman-Patton. “I thank everyone involved in this comprehensive effort, including the stellar candidates who were evaluated. Coach Wilson was our top choice, and I look forward to working with him to build a successful program and continue ‘The Morgan Way.’”

The University will host a press conference on June 10, 2022, at 10 a.m. in the University Student Center to officially introduce Wilson as Morgan’s new head football coach. The press conference will also be live streamed via the University’s and athletics department websites.

Before assuming his most recent head coaching role, Wilson served as assistant head coach/running backs coach at Prairie View A&M University and as running backs coach/special teams coordinator for Texas Southern University. His coaching background also includes two previous stops at Bowie State University: as strength and conditioning/running backs coach and special teams coordinator (2007–2008) and as associate head/running backs coach and special teams coordinator (1999–2004).

His accolades include American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year (2021), Bowie State University Coach of the Year (2019, 2018, 2015, 2009) and CIAA Northern Division Champion (2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2009). He also assisted in fundraising for the building of a new, $1.1-million synthetic football field in 2010.

“Thank you to President Wilson and Ms. Freeman-Patton for presenting me with this opportunity to lead such a storied football program as its next head coach,” said Coach Wilson. “Morgan is a great university in a great position to grow. I look forward to working with the student-athletes to build on the University’s legacy as well as engaging with the alumni and other supporters of the program to ensure that our student-athletes have the support needed for them to be successful on and off the playing field.”

Coach Wilson was a standout student-athlete before joining the coaching ranks, playing for the team he currently coaches.  He holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Master of Arts in Organizational Communication from Bowie State University.

He is a member of the American Football Coaches Association, CIAA Coaches Association, National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Wilson is married to Morgan State alumna Allison Dunn Wilson, and they have a son Dylan.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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By AFRO Staff

Students and administration of Delaware State University (DSU) are calling a foul after the bus transporting the DSU Lacrosse Team was pulled over and searched by law enforcement in Liberty County, Ga. on April 20. 

According to a statement released by Delaware State University President Tony Allen, the bus was allegedly pulled over for a “minor traffic violation” that quickly escalated into trained drug dogs searching the lacrosse players’ luggage on the side of the road.

“To be clear, nothing illegal was discovered in this search, and all our coaches and student-athletes comported themselves with dignity throughout a trying and humiliating process,” Allen said in a statement. “Our student-athletes, coaches, and the subcontracted bus driver are all safe. I have spoken with many of them, and in the course of investigating this incident in conjunction with our General Counsel and Athletic Director, I have also reached out to Delaware’s Governor, Congressional delegation, Attorney General, and Black Caucus. They, like me, are incensed.” 

Sheriff William Bowman, of Liberty County, G.a. made a comment on the situation after Sydney Anderson – a DSU Sophomore lacrosse player who was present for the altercation, wrote an article that ran in the DSU newspaper, The Hornet.

“Since May 9, I have taken calls, received messages, and read comments concerning a traffic stop within our county,” said Bowman in a statement to the press. “On April 20, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop for a motorcoach vehicle traveling Northbound on I-95 in violation of O.C.G.A. 40-6-53 (2010).”

According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, a violation of O.C.G.A. 40-6-53 (2010) is a “failure to keep in proper lane,” as buses are required to use the two outermost right lanes of a highway. 

Georgia Traffic Code specifies that “on roads, streets, or highways with three or more lanes allowing for movement in the same direction, it shall be unlawful for any bus or motorcoach to operate in any lanes other than the two most right-hand lanes, except when the bus or motorcoach is preparing for a left turn, is moving to or from an HOV lane.”

Bowman said that the DSU bus was not the only commercial vehicle that was stopped on April 20, and that contraband had been found earlier in the day on a bus.

“Due to the nature of the detail, a K9 was part of the stop and an alert was given by the K9. Before entering the motorcoach, the deputy was not aware that this school was historically Black or aware of the race of the occupants due to the height of the vehicle and tinted windows,” said Bowman. “A canine sniff of the exterior of a vehicle is not a search under the Fourth Amendment and does provide cause to search the vehicle.”

Bowman said “once aboard, the deputies informed the passengers that a search would be completed. This is the same protocol that is expected to be used no matter the race, gender, age, or destination of the passengers.”

Though Bowman told the public “no personal items on the bus or any person were searched,” a photo taken Anderson shows an officer smiling as he handles a backpack on the side of the road. 

“The team members were in shock, as they witnessed the officers rambling through their bags. They brought the K-9 dog out to sniff their luggage,” said Anderson. “The cops began tossing underwear and other feminine products, in an attempt to locate narcotics.”

Democratic Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and its representative, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (all D-Del.), have responded to the incident. 

“No one should be made to feel unsafe or humiliated by law enforcement or any entity who has sworn to protect and serve them. That’s especially true for students who have sought out HBCUs like Delaware State University with a long history of empowering communities of color that have far too often faced discrimination and other barriers to opportunity,” said the elected officials in a joint statement. “We strongly support Dr. Allen’s decision to ‘go wherever the evidence leads him and his administration as they explore all possible options in response. Our offices stand ready to assist the Delaware State community however we can as it deals with the impact of this episode, and hope there will be a swift, just resolution.”

According to Bowman, the stop was legal. The sheriff has said that he does not “exercise racial profiling, allow racial profiling, or encourage racial profiling” and did not even know the DSU incident was being considered “racial profiling” until he began receiving calls about the incident.

“We want feedback from the passengers of the Delaware State University Lacrosse Team on what communication approaches can be considered that we simply may not be aware of,” said Bowman. “This is how true policing is done and this is what the department stands for under my leadership.”

Please use the feedback link at www.LibertySO.Org to share your solutions with Liberty County Sheriff’s Office.

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BALTIMORE — Morgan State University President David K. Wilson today announced the appointment of Dena Freeman-Patton as the new vice president and director for intercollegiate athletics, overseeing the Athletics Department and Intramural sports and activities. The appointment follows a comprehensive and competitive national search led by higher education placement firm Renaissance Search and Consulting in conjunction with an internal search committee. With her selection, Freeman-Patton became the first woman in Morgan’s 155-year history hired to lead its athletic operations. She will assume her new role effective June 1, 2022.

“Given the stability of our athletics operations, the impressive academic standing of our student-athletes and the positive competitive trajectory of our sports teams, this was a very attractive leadership position to fill, drawing interest from across the country,” said President Wilson. “Among those expressing a high interest, Dena Freeman-Patton was the most impressive, offering a wealth of experience and the requisite leadership capabilities to oversee a rising D1 athletic program. We welcome Dena to the Morgan team and look forward to her taking the reins and advancing our athletic programs to even greater heights. In her, we have the right person for the job.”

Over the past five years, Morgan’s Athletics Department has experienced a transformation that has made it a model for success within the NCAA. During this period, the collective GPA for student-athletes rose to 3.41, the graduation rate increased by 19% and the department successfully emerged from a challenging NCAA probation process that ended on Dec. 18, 2021. Athletics also added two new programs that will assist in attracting students: wrestling, and acrobatics and tumbling.

As an administrator and executive in intercollegiate athletics, Freeman-Patton brings nearly 25 years of experience. She comes to Morgan from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), where she most recently served as associate vice president and director of Athletics, overseeing 10 sports, and managing more than 50 personnel, including staff and coaches. Before her time at CSUDH, she served as deputy athletics director and chief operating officer for the University of New Orleans, deputy athletics director at California State University, Bakersfield, associate athletic director at Georgia State University and associate director of Academics and Career Development at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Freeman-Patton was also appointed as the 2020 chair of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and in 2018 was named as the Women Leader in College Sports Administrator of the Year.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Freeman-Patton was a three-sport athlete at Lake Clifton High School. She also lettered as a Division I student-athlete in basketball at Liberty University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 1996. She later received a master’s in sports administration from Georgia State University, in 1999.

“It’s great to come home and have an opportunity to join such an historic and mission-focused institute of higher learning such as Morgan State University,” said Freeman-Patton. “Being a native of Baltimore, I have always held a special place in my heart for Morgan, because of its connection to the city and what it has meant for the futures of so many. I am proud to represent the family members, friends and colleagues that have poured into me over the years, especially my parents Calvin and Doris Freeman (Morgan alum c/o 1969). It is an honor to be appointed as the first woman to serve in this role and I hope to inspire other women and girls in sports. I thank President Wilson and his team for providing me with this unique opportunity to lead the Athletics Department and make a positive impact on Morgan’s student-athletes. I look forward to getting started!”

Dena Freeman-Patton replaces Edward Scott, Ph.D., who left the University in January 2022 to pursue another opportunity. Since his departure, the Athletics Department has advanced under the interim leadership of Erlease Wagner, who had served as a deputy athletic director under Dr. Scott. Freeman-Patton will report directly to the president and serve on his Cabinet as a member of the senior administrative team.

 As outlined in the University’s 10-year strategic plan, the Athletics Department’s overarching goal is to provide a holistic student-athlete experience that creates leaders in the classroom, in athletic competition and in their lifelong endeavors. Academic achievement and competitive excellence, both connected to the goals of enhancing student success and well-being, will be ongoing high priorities for Freeman-Patton, however, among her first tasks will be finding and naming a permanent head football coach.

“There are a lot of great things happening within Morgan Athletics. It is a jewel among HBCUs, and I hope to make it shine brighter,” said Freeman-Patton.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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By John Zenor,
AP Sports Writer

John Mitchell and Wilbur Jackson already had their place in Alabama football history. Now, the Crimson Tide’s first Black players also share a prominent spot outside Bryant-Denny stadium.

The university unveiled a plaque honoring Jackson and Mitchell April 16 in a ceremony before the current team’s end-of-spring A-Day game, more than 50 years after they broke the color barrier.

“It was a moment I will never forget,” said Mitchell, who had become emotional when he spoke at the ceremony. “It was very touching. You grow up a little Black kid from south Alabama and these are things you never dream of. “

The two 70-year-olds were also honored at halftime.

The introverted Jackson became the Tide’s first Black scholarship football player when he signed on Dec. 13, 1969. In 1971, defensive end Mitchell, a transfer from Eastern Arizona Junior College, became the first to play in a game.

The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers assistant and current assistant head coach wound up starting all 24 games over two seasons and becoming a two-time All-Southeastern Conference performer.

Jackson became a star running back for Alabama, the only school to offer him a scholarship. He was a first-round draft pick in 1974 by the San Francisco 49ers, where he played five seasons before spending three more with the then-Washington Redskins.

“If somebody had told me when I was 18 or 19 years old, that 50 years later we would be here today being recognized for integration, I would never have believed it,” Jackson said. “And yet here we are.”

Both are now members of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Tide coach Nick Saban showed his team a video of Jackson and Mitchell last year, the 50th anniversary of Mitchell’s first season on the field.

“These guys were people who did something that nobody else was really willing to do that created so many opportunities and changed lives of so many people and changed the mind-set of a lot of other people and was a big step in desegregating the South,” Saban said. “And I think Coach Bryant should be commended for what he did to make that happen.”

Jackson and Mitchell each said Bryant told them if they ever had a problem to come see him first.

Both said they never had to make a trip to Bryant’s office for that reason.

“A lot of people don’t understand the situation back then,” Mitchell said in a phone interview with AP earlier in the week. “Coach Bryant handled the situation as well as any coach could handle it. And I’ve said this before, if it had been anybody but Coach Bryant, the situation probably could have been different.

“He didn’t treat me any different, or Wilbur, than any other players on the team.”

Mitchell got his coaching start as Bryant’s defensive line coach from 1973-76 shortly after wrapping up his playing career. He still uses lessons learned under Bryant and his Alabama staff and saved the notes from those staff meetings.

Back then, he roomed with White teammate Bobby Stanford, who remains a close friend and served in his wedding. Stanford made the trip to Tuscaloosa for the ceremony from Albany, Georgia.

Earlier in the week, he recounted how Mitchell came to Bryant’s attention in the first place. USC coach John McKay had mentioned to Bryant that the Mobile native was planning to come play for him. Bryant excused himself and called back to Tuscaloosa, ordering an assistant to track Mitchell down.

“Worst mistake John McKay ever made was telling Coach Bryant about him,” Stanford said in a phone interview.

“Coach Bryant had been trying to sign Black ballplayers for years, and the power structure in the state of Alabama wouldn’t have it,” Stanford said. “Even as strong as coach Bryant was, it wasn’t easy. He tried.”

And ultimately, he succeeded. So did Mitchell and Jackson.

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By Ralph D. Russo,
AP College Football Writer

In the past year, Temple has hired a new president, athletic director and football coach, all Black men.

The moves have made Temple just the second school that plays major college football to have an African-American in all three of those high-profile positions, along with Maryland.

Temple is also the only school among 131 that compete at the highest level of Division I to have Black people leading the university, the athletic department, the football program and both the men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Temple’s choices were not planned, but they were also more than a coincidence, university president Jason Wingard said.

“It was no more intentional than it is the other way around,” Wingard said, referring to the far more common occurrence in big-time college sports of a White man hiring another White man.

Much like the NFL, major college football has struggled to address the dearth of Black head football coaches in a sport where the majority of the players are Black. According to the most recent data compiled by the NCAA, 45% of football players in Power Five conferences during the 2020-21 season were black and 37% were White. In the five other FBS conferences, 51% percent of the players were black and 33% White.

Just 10% of the head coaches were Black and 82% were White. Ten years ago, 14% of FBS head coaches were Black. New Temple coach Stan Drayton is one of 15 Black head coaches currently set to start next season at 131 FBS schools.

When talk turns to growing those numbers the focus is often on the pipeline leading to the head coaches’ office, and trying to raise the profiles of Black assistant coaches. Maryland coach Mike Locksley’s National Coalition of Minority Football Coaches is trying to lead the way in those areas.

Just as important, Wingard said, is the trickle-down effect that comes from having more diversity among those who are ultimately making those hires — the athletic directors and university presidents.

“I don’t call you or anybody else racist, but we have experiences and we have biases based on those experiences. And so we tend to all be more attracted to work better with people who are like us and who have shared those experiences,” said Wingard, who wrote an op-ed about the subject after former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores sued the NFL and several teams for discrimination.

“So representation matters,” Wingard added, “because when you have a variety of people as college presidents, when you have women, when you have African-Americans, when you have Latinos and Asian-Americans, then their experiences are going to bring — around them — differences.”

Wingard became Temple’s first Black president last June. In October, he filled Temple’s long vacant AD position by hiring Arthur Johnson, whose career as an athletic administrator spans 20 years and includes lengthy stints at Texas and Georgia.

“This business is about relationships,” Johnson said. “So who are people most comfortable with?”

Drayton, 51, is a first-time head coach after a long career as an assistant in the NFL and some of the highest-profile programs in college football such as Ohio State and Texas.

Drayton’s previous experience in the Philadelphia area as a college coach early in his career went a long way in helping land him the job, along with some strong recommendations from those he had worked with previously, Johnson said. He noted the two did not work closely together at Texas.

Johnson is one of 19 Black athletic directors among FBS schools. His longtime friend, Maryland AD Damon Evans, is one of the others.

Evans said advocacy plays a huge role in who is hired. Locksley’s coalition has tried to foster professional relationships between up-and-coming Black coaches and college sports administrators as a way of creating more advocates. Evans said more Black leaders should lead to more advocacy for Black candidates.

“You tend to be more in touch, let’s just be candid, with individuals that may look like you or come from your same race, ethnicity or what have you. And also to be more in tune and more aware,” Evans said.

“We have to pay it forward,” he added.

Drayton said he was proud to be part of a rare leadership group in college sports. That it would be assembled at Temple, an urban university in North Philadelphia that counts late Hall of Fame men’s basketball coach John Chaney as one of its most influential figures seems appropriate.

“It is a very significant time here at Temple and it’s a very significant action by the powers that be here at Temple to put this type of leadership in place,” Drayton said. “And it makes sense.”

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

Just before the Kansas Jayhawks staged their historic comeback against the North Carolina Tar Heels, another historic basketball battle was taking shape for HBCU fans this past weekend. 

On April 3, the first-time ever HBCU All-Star basketball classic featuring several members of the Howard University men’s basketball team rose from the shadows for their one shining moment during the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans.

All-MEAC first-team performer Kyle Foster and graduate transfer Randall Brumant represented Howard and the MEAC in the inaugural HBCU All-Star Game.  The event was the first live nationally televised showcase for elite Black College basketball players. Brumant and Foster were among the 24 HBCU student-athletes selected to compete in the historic event.

Foster, who was named HBCU All-Stars Willis Reed NCAA Division I National Player of the Year, was in the starting lineup and Brumant, a Houston native, finished with nine points in a reserve role.

“It was such a fun experience,” said Brumant. “From teaming up with the people I competed against all year, to meeting celebrities who love the HBCU movement like Magic Johnson and Jamie Foxx, it felt great to be a part of this historic event.”

The two Howard all-stars represented their team and conference playing for Team McLendon where they helped the squad defeat Team Gaines, 79-75. The two 12-man rosters were named after a pair of HBCU legendary coaches in John McLendon and Clarence “Big House” Gaines who made significant contributions to the legacy of college basketball.

McLendon is historically known in basketball circles as the “father of fastbreak basketball” whose up-tempo style became the standard for quick scoring opportunities and highlight-reel dunks that have made the NBA game so popular today.  His concepts led to generational success at N.C. Central, Tennessee State, Hampton and Kentucky State. He was also the first Black coach to lead a PWI (predominantly White institution) Cleveland State in 1967. Coach McClendon was the only one in history to have won three consecutive NAIA national championships.

Gaines, a Morgan State graduate, was at one time the winningest coach in college basketball history.  He set a standard of excellence by leading teams that sent some of the NBA’s all-time greats such as Earl “the Pearl” Monroe to the pros while coaching at Winston Salem State. “Big House” won 828 games during a span of 46 years with 8 CIAA championships and a national title in 1967.

Team McLendon featured players from the MEAC and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and was coached by Norfolk State’s Robert Jones. Team Gaines featured players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the CIAA and was coached by Alcorn State’s Landon Bussie.

Given the scarce practice time and the absence of familiarity between the players on both sides, it was a very competitive matchup that brought tournament-caliber intensity to an exhibition game. 

“We felt a lot of love from tons of people we came across in New Orleans,” said Brumant. “I’m excited to see the future of this event moving forward.”

 Tajh Green of Benedict College scored 12 points and was named the game’s most valuable player after leading the McLendon men to victory.

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By Chicago Defender

Organizers of the HBCU All-Star Game announced the coaching lineup for the two teams set to compete next week.

The event is taking place on Sunday, April 3 during Final Four weekend in New Orleans at the UNO Lakefront Arena at 4 p.m., E.T.

The two teams are named after legendary HBCU coaches.

Team John McLendon, made up entirely of players from the MEAC and SIAC, will be led by Robert Jones, head coach at Norfolk State and will be assisted by Fred Watson, the head coach at Miles College. 

Landon Bussie, the head coach at Alcorn State will lead Team Clarence “Big House” Gaines, and will be assisted on the bench by Lincoln University’s Corey Lowery, helming up the team made up of players from the SWAC and CIAA.

These four outstanding coaches have cemented their status as program builders, champions and leaders of young men. They epitomize the excellence that is black college basketball, and we are proud to have them lead our two teams into this inaugural game on one of the biggest stages,” said HBCU All-Stars LLC Founder and CEO Travis L. Williams.

Jones and his Spartans are coming off of the school’s third-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament after finishing the season as the MEAC regular-season and tournament champions. With a record of 24-7 and 12-2 in the league, Jones was named the MEAC Coach of the Year, and over the course of nine seasons at the school has amassed an overall record of 166-125 and a 104-34 mark in the league.

After leading the Golden Bears to a 25-5 overall mark and 17-1 league record in the SIAC, Watson was named the league’s coach of the year and helped usher Miles College into the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship as the No. 5 seed in the South Region. Over the course of the last two seasons, Watson has led the school to consecutive regular-season conference titles and one tournament title, going 45-13 during that stretch.

After serving for six years as an assistant coach with another school in the SWAC, Bussie has helped turn the Braves into a championship contender in just two seasons as this past year Alcorn State finished with a 14-4 mark, claiming the regular-season title for the first time since 2002. The team earned a berth in the NIT, just the ninth ever appearance in the postseason for the Braves, reigning in coach of the year honors from the conference.

Predicted to finish 10th in the CIAA this season, Lowery led the Lincoln Lions to an 18-10 overall record and 11-5 record in the league to finish second overall and CIAA Coach of the Year honors. Lowery has been coaching for 23 years, with 15 years of experience as a head coach where he has made numerous appearances in the postseason at various collegiate levels throughout the northeast.

HBCU All-Stars LLC will select the third and final coach to represent both Team John McLendon and Clarence “Big House” Gaines’ in the coming days.

The inaugural HBCU All-Star Game will air live on CBS and be available to stream on Paramount+.

To learn more about the HBCU All-Star Game and to get additional information about its ancillary events and tickets visit hbcuallstargame.com and follow @hbcuallstargame.

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By Ralph E. Moore, Jr.

Coaches

The Peacocks of St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, N.J. were the Cinderella team of this year’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament. Now eliminated by the University of North Carolina Tar Heels (69-49) they made it to the Elite Eight, so the Peacocks have much to be proud of.  

St. Peter’s is a small Jesuit school founded in 1872. There are only 2,600 undergraduates and 800 graduate students at the private university. The 30-acre New Jersey campus is just two miles west of  New York City.

Shaheen Holloway has served as head coach of the Peacocks since April 2018.  It’s rumored that he is looking to coach Seton Hall University’s basketball team in South Orange, N.J. Halloway was a standout basketball player for the university 23 years ago and graduated from Seton Hall in 2000. He would get an enormous salary increase with a move. His relocation would be precipitated by the fact that Seton Hall’s coach, after 12 seasons, is moving to be head coach of the University of Maryland’s Terrapins.  He is Kevin Willard and he will become a sports household name in these parts.

Go, Peacocks! Next year.  

Ouches

The 94^th Academy Awards presentation broadcast on ABC TV on March 27 will simply never be the same. It was the night when Will smacked Chris “upside the head” on live television. It was a very unusual moment to watch.

Comedian Chris Rock, long known for being funny and biting with his humor, made fun of various stars in the audience as is typical of hosts and presenters during the show.  Will and Jada Pinkett Smith were seated front and center of the stage in the audience.  Chris made a crack about Jada. Audience members watching the ABC TV broadcast heard Chris Rock say that he was looking forward to seeing Jada Pinkett Smith in G.I. Jane 2, playing the titular role that was made famous by Demi Moore and her shaved head in the mid-nineties. 

“Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see you,” he said. 

Though Will Smith initially chuckled, Jada Pinkett rolled her eyes. Mere seconds later Will Smith was seen taking the stage and walking towards Rock. The comedian apparently knew he had messed up by Smith’s bold steps onto the stage- completely spontaneously and unrehearsed. Will Smith smacked Chris Rock in the face like it was nobody’s business and returned to his seat. 

It was a hit heard loudly in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. but also around the world.  

Smith has been criticized for his use of raw violence that night. And though Chris Rock has made Will and Jada Pinkett Smith the butt of his jokes on another Oscar night, he should have known better. 

Traditionally, the African American community has held onto “playing the dozens,” a game of spoken words common in the African-American community where insults are swapped until one of the parties engaged gives up. But it is clearly and firmly understood that you never ridicule anything about someone or a relative that is true. If someone’s mom is on crutches, you never joke making a reference to that fact, for example. Real circumstances are off limits.

Again, Chris Rock should have known better.

Pinkett Smith’s condition is an auto-immune illness that causes the loss of hair. There’s nothing funny about disease. No exceptions.

Will Smith was defending his wife’s honor. Could he have walked up on stage and in a menacing manner perhaps simply demanded that Chris Rock take the joke back and apologize? Rock may or may not have complied.

Violence is not acceptable in most situations, except in self-defense. Will Smith perceived perhaps that Chris Rock was ridiculing his wife’s illness. 

Laughing at someone’s sickness is a form of violence. Rock stepped over a line and with a hard smack of his hand in self-defense, Will Smith sent him back to the right side of the line.

Some things just aren’t funny. Remember that, Chris.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 145 W. Ostend Street Ste 600, Office #536, Baltimore, MD 21230 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

Howard University women’s basketball was on three sides of history once the final whistle blew on their season.

There was the elation of winning their first conference championship in over two decades.  The Bison then made history, beating Incarnate Word in the NCAA’s inaugural first round game.

Then came the harsh reality of a no. 1 vs no.16 matchup against the University of South Carolina, and their future Hall of Fame coach and multiple Olympic gold medalist Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks, who are a perennial national championship contender.  

Within a span of six days, Howard re-established their place amongst the great legacies in HBCU women’s sports. They also came to grips with the journey that small programs – especially those at Black colleges – must endure to become factors in Division I.

Howard won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference basketball championship after losing in 2021 to North Carolina A&T in the finals of the tournament.  That loss drove them during the regular season where they earned the top seed by winning the regular season championship.  The MEAC season drew to its conclusion in Norfolk versus the Spartans in the finals. It was thought by many in Tidewater that it would be right of passage for the NSU women to complete the championship double after their men defeated Coppin State.

The Bison weren’t having it though.  Coach Ty Grace set the tone for her team by showing up on the sidelines to coach in sweats, sneakers, and a Black Lives Matter t-shirt for the championship game. They embodied her toughness and routed NSU in what was basically a road game in a “neutral” building, 61-44.

“We were locked in from Day One and we never forgot about last year,”  Grace said. “Our kids remember crying in that loss while North Carolina A&T State celebrated.”

Destiny Howell scored a career-high 25 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out two assists while contributing a block and two steals in the win over Norfolk State in the MEAC Tournament championship game at the Scope Arena.  She set the tone early and helped them jump out to an early 15-10 first-quarter lead as the Bison played from ahead for most of the game and cruised to their first championship since 2001.  It was the program’s 11th overall, which is the most in the history of the 50-year-old conference.

“We all felt that pain when they were celebrating after we got so close,” Howell said. “We were determined to not let that happen this time.”

Howard then proved they are back as a legitimate mid-major program with their first victory ever in the NCAA Tournament over Incarnate Word 55-53. The Bison won the inaugural first round game of the women’s and took the first baby step towards legitimizing their program as a national brand with the nationally televised victory.

Then reality set in.

South Carolina put a traditional no. 1 vs no. 16 beat down on Howard that was historic.  The Gamecocks ended HU’s season with a 79-21 loss.  The Bison’s 21 points were the fewest ever scored by a team in the tournament’s history. They were held to two points in the first and second quarters then scored four in the third following halftime. Their 13 points in the final period were cosmetics that didn’t cover the blemish. 

In six days, Howard learned their women have arrived as a better than average mid-major program who can be active in the NCAA transfer portal to advance their national brand. The master class whipping by a national power – though painful – should prove to be a new beginning for a program who appears set to capitalize on HBCU basketball’s version of “Black Girl Magic” and rise beyond a perception they can’t with the nation’s blue bloods.

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By Doug Feinberg,
AP Basketball Writer

Dawn Staley has a sheepish grin, which turns into a smile after a quick glance at the Greensboro Region of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

There is sense of pride that exudes from the South Carolina basketball coach when she sees people who look like her, doing what she does and getting the chance to be successful at it.

Including Staley, five of the dozen Black female coaches in the women’s tourney are in the Greensboro part of the bracket. The 12 coaches double the number of Black women that led teams in last year’s NCAA Tournament.

Though there is still much work to be done, Staley said it is a sign of success.

“When you give people opportunity that they don’t often get and they’re successful, this is kind of what happens. I think it’s popular now. Like it was popular probably … when Coach (Jolette) Law got the Illinois job,” in 2007, Staley said of her Gamecocks assistant.

“A lot of Black coaches got opportunities during that time,” Staley added. “And then probably three, four years later, 75% of them weren’t head coaches anymore, and they don’t get recycled like other coaches. So I think now Black coaches are more prepared because they have had to be prepared.”

Staley will face one those Black female coaches, Howard’s Ty Grace, when her top-seeded Gamecocks played the Bison on March 18. Grace led Howard to a win in the inaugural women’s First Four on March 16, beating Incarnate Word in Columbia, South Carolina.

After Howard’s win, Grace and Staley had a quick exchange in a hallway of the arena that represented more about what could be than what was said.

“We just said hi because the teams were passing by and we were looking up as they were walking by. You know, she just said she was glad to have us here and she was happy for me,” Grace said. “She wished me luck. She said, ‘I’ll see you on Friday.'”

Staley would like to be able to say that to a Black female coach more often.

Yet, that could take a while. There has been marginal progress when it comes to the hiring process.

Of the nine openings at Power Five schools this season, only two Black women filled those vacancies: Marisa Moseley at Wisconsin and Auburn’s Johnnie Harris. Counting the two hires, of the 65 Power Five schools, 12 had Black women leading their basketball programs this season. And though neither Wisconsin nor Auburn are in the tournament, they are trending in the right direction: both finished with more wins than they did last year.

There already are a handful of Power Five openings for the upcoming season, including Texas A&M, Virginia and Syracuse. And there would seem to be a potential pool of candidates in the NCAA Tournament with six Black women from non-Power Five schools.

One of them is Buffalo coach Felisha Legette-Jack.

She played for the Orange and has her jersey retired at the school. She’s been mentioned as a possible candidate for her alma mater, and believes the success Black women are having is breaking down barriers.

“People are noticing they are Black and winning,” she said. “But also that their messages are so amazing. More doors are opening for at least getting interviews for Black coaches. Seeing so many be successful and reach the NCAAs can only help get more opportunities.”

Legette-Jack has Buffalo back in the NCAA Tournament again where the Bulls will face Tennessee. She led Buffalo to its first Sweet 16 in 2018 before losing to Staley’s Gamecocks.

She had been fired by Indiana when the Bulls gave her a second chance, a decision that has paid off for Buffalo.

“You used to see coaches that don’t look like us get a job, lose a job and get hired again,” Legette-Jack said. “It’s like their birthright. But now you get a sense that things are changing.”

Staley has been a leader for that change and though she deflects any credit, her credentials and success at South Carolina can’t be overlooked.

The Olympic gold medalist and national team coach has built the Gamecocks into one of the nation’s top programs, which annually has the highest fans attendance. Staley also signed a landmark contract for women, inking a $22.4 million, seven-year deal earlier this season.

“I’m in awe of her. I’m a groupie. She’s so great and gracious,” Legette-Jack said. “You call her, and you think you’re the most special person in the world. She does it with everybody.”

The other Black women coaching in the tournament include: Adia Barnes, Arizona; Niele Ivey, Notre Dame; Kyra Elzy, Kentucky; Shereka Wright, UT-Arlington; Joni Taylor, Georgia; Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Ole Miss, Amaka Agugua-Hamilton, Missouri State; Natasha Adair, Delaware; and Tomekia Reed, Jackson State.

Staley is the longest tenured of the group; Ivey, Elzy and Wright have the shortest stints at their respective schools — all were hired in 2020.

Wright was a longtime assistant having worked at Texas Tech, Alabama and Vanderbilt before finally getting a chance with UT-Arlington.

“I waited my turn and I had to really learn how to be an assistant coach to get into this seat as a head coach,” said Wright, who led the Mavericks to their first NCAA appearance since 2007. “I interviewed for a couple of jobs, but this ended up being a great situation for me.”

Wright, along with the other Black women coaching in the tournament, was among the 70 who received a piece of the 2017 NCAA championship net from Staley. The often retold gesture was to help inspire them.

Barnes has hers taped to a computer screen so she sees it very day.

“Dawn first told me about the net when she was with me at USA Basketball. She was going to give me the piece of net. I thought that was amazing. I thought I was the only [person] getting one, then, it was amazing, she gave it to everyone. It shows how selfless she is.”

Barnes shared the sports’ biggest stage with Staley last year when they became the first two Black women in a Final Four.

They hope it won’t be the last time as more doors slowly open at the highest levels of the women’s game.

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By Aaron Beard,
AP Basketball Writer

A diversity report for graduation rates among this year’s NCAA Tournament teams found the gap between White and Black men’s players has shrunk compared to last season.

The study released March 16 from The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at Central Florida found that racial gap in average Graduation Success Rate (GSR) scores had declined from about 13.4 percentage points last year to 11.4 this season. That was due to gains by Black players (up 3.4 percentage points to 83.7%) outpacing those by White players (up 1.3, to 95.1%),

“The gap has frequently narrowed, and especially on the men’s side, when the White graduation rate went down rather than the Black graduation rate going up,” institute director and lead report author Richard Lapchick told The Associated Press. “So the fact that this went up is really an important thing to note for the Black student-athletes.”

The racial gap also exists on the women’s side, but is smaller.

This year’s gap 6.3 percentage points and was only slightly higher than last season (6.1), with White women’s players up to 98.8% this year and Black women’s players up to 92.5%.

As an example, the study found that 10 men’s teams had White players ahead of Black players in graduation rates by a gap of at least 30 percentage points. UCLA, which reached last year’s Final Four, had the biggest at 71 percentage points, while the list included a No. 1 seed in Arizona, Saint Mary’s and Indiana all at 50.

By comparison, only four women’s teams in this year’s tournament field fit that category: Mount St. Mary’s (40), Arkansas (37), UNLV (37) and Utah (33).

Women continue to outperform men in average GSR, though the gender gap shrunk significantly from 10.7 percentage points last year to 6.7, with women at 93.9% and men at 87.2%. Lapchick noted, though, that the women have less room to improve with their routinely higher scores.

“The gap has narrowed, so that’s somewhat encouraging,” Lapchick said. “But it always says to me that the emphasis has been much stronger on the women’s side. I think it’s gotten stronger on the men’s side as they’ve realized with academic reforms they could not make postseason play.”

The study looked primarily at the GSR, which was developed to allow the NCAA to track the progress of Division I student-athletes for six years following their entrance to schools. GSR doesn’t penalize schools for athletes who leave in good academic standing and counts transfers at their new schools, while a federal graduation rate would consider them non-graduates and doesn’t factor in those common roster movements.

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by Special to the AFRO from Coppin State University

COLUMBIA, Md. – Brian Nicolas hit a pair of home runs and Eimir Perez slugged a grand slam as Coppin State’s baseball team defeated Delaware State, 10-7, in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Blandair Park.  The Eagles dropped the nightcap, 7-4, and now stand at 6-12 overall and 2-1 in the MEAC.

A junior from Langhorne, Pa., Nicolas went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBI in the opener while Perez also drove in four runs.  Wellington Balsley added a pair of hits and scored once while four other Eagles players connected for base hits, including Marcos Castillo who added a double.

Tim Ruffino earned the win on the mound, allowing just four earned runs over 5.2 innings while striking out six.  Giovanni Canales picked up the save by allowing just a walk and striking out one over the final 1.1 innings.

Delaware State scored a pair of runs in the first inning, but Nicolas smashed a two-run homer to right center field in the Coppin half to tie the score.  The Hornets tacked on three more runs in the third, regaining the lead at 5-2.

The Eagles erupted for six runs in the bottom of the third to take its first lead of the game at 8-5.  Nicolas, Sebastien Sarabia and Josh Hankins had three-straight singles with Hankins’ knock to left field scoring Nicolas for the first run of the frame. After Tyler Lloyd was walked, Corey Miley was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to cut the deficit to 5-4.  Perez then blasted a grand slam home run over the fence in left field to give CSU an 8-5 advantage.

DSU cut into the deficit with a single run in the fourth, but Nicolas followed a Castillo double with his second home run of the game, making it a 10-6 ballgame.

Ruffino threw a 1-2-3 fifth inning but gave up a run in the sixth before Canales forced a groundout for the final out of the inning.  Canales also retired the first two batters of the seventh and got another groundout to pick up the save.

Rashad Ruff got the start in game two and threw two scoreless innings to open the game before DSU got a run in the third.  The Hornets added a pair of runs in the fourth and a run off Marcos Herrand in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.

Mike Dorcean hit a solo home run with one out in the fifth to start a rally and Balsley followed with a walk.  The rally was somewhat killed as Balsley was picked off at first on a questionable call, and on the very next pitch, Castillo hammered a solo home run over the fence in left field to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Herrand threw a scoreless sixth, but the Hornets scored three insurance runs in the seventh to extend the lead to 7-2. RBI singles by Nicolas and Sarabia made it a three-run game and Hankins was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Delaware State made a pitching change and was able to get the final out of the inning.

Castillo, Nicolas, Sarabia and Dorcean all had a pair of hits for the Eagles and drove in a run each. Castillo also drew a walk and scored twice, as did Dorcean.

Coppin will look to pick up a series win tomorrow afternoon as it hosts Delaware State at Blandair Park at 12 pm.

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BALTIMORE – Coppin State’s softball team was edged in a pair of games at crosstown rival Morgan State on Saturday afternoon at Lois T. Murray Field.  The Eagles dropped the opener, 5-3, and 5-0 in the nightcap.

Avianna Peterson scored a pair of runs, Isabella Zalba drove in two runs and Makayla Caballero recorded a pair of hits in game one.  Vanessa Carrizosa went the distance in the circle, allowing five runs while striking out five in 6.0 innings.

The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Peterson scored from third as Alexis Genovese reached on an error.

Morgan put four runs across in its half of the frame before the Eagles cut the deficit to 4-3 as Zalba found the gap in left center for a two-run double.  Scoring on the play were Caballero and Peterson who were hit by a pitch and reached on a fielder’s choice earlier in the frame.

The hosts were able to add to their lead with another run in the third and that’s how the score stayed as both teams went scoreless over the last four innings. Coppin’s best chance to score came in the fifth as Carrizosa drew a walk before Genovese singled.  The duo was then successful on a double steal to put two runners in scoring position, but both were left stranded.

Carrizosa kept CSU in the game as she retired eight-straight Bears at one point which included a 1-2-3 fifth inning.

Shawnee Ronyak also threw a complete game in the nightcap, giving up just four earned runs on four hits over 6.0 innings.  Carrizosa was the lone Eagles player to record a base hit and she also drew a walk, as did Brissa Alvarado.

Morgan scored one in the first, two in the fourth, and one more in each of the final two innings.

CSU returns to action on Sunday, March 20 when it faces Morgan State in the series finale in East Baltimore.

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

In a conference that is teetering on the brink of extinction,  Morgan State University’s athletic program faces a crisis. With the resignations of former athletic director Ed Scott and Tyrone Wheatley as football coach, the Bears program finds itself in rebuilding mode needing leaders at the two most important positions inside all college athletic programs. 

With spring football around the corner and the early recruiting season over, the most relevant athletic programs are taking advantage of the renaissance of interest by blue chip athletes in competing at HBCUs. During this most important time of the athletic department’s calendar, Morgan should be aggressively working the transfer portal trying to recruit players who can be immediate difference makers. 

 However, Morgan State’s program is a rudderless crab boat on the Chesapeake Bay after two performances that were self indulgent and may ultimately prove to be their demise as a NCAA Division I program. The state’s greatest greatest college athletic legacy is facing a crisis and nobody on campus seems to be treating it with the importance that  pending doom warrants.

Scott hiring Wheatley will go down in Morgan athletics history as one of the worst hires ever.  In a time where HBCU programs got a spike from high profile coaches with NFL pedigree who project confidence and hope, the former New York Giants running back and University of Michigan phenom was an unmitigated failure.  Wheatley led the team to a 3-9 finish in his first season in 2019. There was no season in 2020 due to the pandemic. This past fall, Wheatley and Morgan State finished with a 2-9 mark.

In two full seasons Wheatley was 5-18 as a Football Championship Subdivision level head coach. His clandestine approach to community outreach and bringing attention to northeast Baltimore did nothing to push the needle forward. He wasn’t the leader to ride the momentum of national exposure since the wave of interest in competing at HBCUs spiked over the last 24 months by the hires such as Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders did at Jackson State despite a debilitating foot injury.  

Morgan’s visibility grew exponentially at President Joseph Biden’s inauguration when Amanda Gorman’s recitation of the poem “The Hill We Climb” earned her the poet laureate title and a tweeted, highly publicized job offer with Morgan. Though a wonderful story, it didn’t have the branding power of a nationally televised basketball game versus Howard during NBA All-Star weekend.  

 Since George Floyd’s murder, Morgan’s phlianthropic donations and national exposure have grown exponentially.  Apologists need to pump the brakes on blaming alumni contributions and the problems that most HBCUs face with Morgan’s athletic program. MSU is amongst the most beautiful campuses with some of the best athletic facilities on their level in America.

There is no better recruiting tool than a compliant, championship contending, athletic program led by its football team for any university.  It has led to increased enrollments and alumni contributions and retention of students at HBCUs such as North Carolina A & T and Jackson State. Morgan should have already been positioning itself to capitalize on its branding chances while the HBCU sports iron is hot.  Instead, the administrators have fumbled this chance and the long term impact could be devastating.

Morgan’s next hires must be willing to make a spousal commitment to the University instead of treating it as a significant other. The next athletic director has to chart a course for a future that may include realignment or potentially moving to a non-HBCU conference. Their next football coach has to understand how to use NIL (name images and likeness) as an asset – not a liability – while using the NCAA’s transfer portal to immediately change the fortunes of the program by dramatically increasing the talent pool and bringing positive national publicity to the program. 

The demise of Morgan’s athletic program for over 50 years now is the absence of forward thinking. What is the vision for the future? There is no longer time to hurry up and wait because tomorrow in Division I is no longer a promise. 

So here’s a blueprint…free of charge!!.

Mark F. Gray is an award winning sports journalist with 30 years experience covering HBCU Sports.  Gray is a 1990 graduate of Morgan State who has worked for ESPN, CBS Radio, Sirius/XM, Radio One, The Shadow League, The Atlanta Journal/Constitution, and The Sporting News.  He is currently Assistant Managing Editor of MLBbro.com, Managing Editor of the HBCU Sports Nation For Smash Entertainment.net, play by play announcer and multimedia content producer for Heritage Sports Radio Network.

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

With the calendar having officially turned to March, let the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference madness begin.  

Despite the dominance of Norfolk State, who went 12-2 in the regular season to earn the No. 1 seed, Howard and Morgan State proved they aren’t walkovers heading into this week’s MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk, Va.  The Howard Bison are seeded No. 2 behind the Norfolk State Spartans after finishing 16-12 (9-5 MEAC), which included sweeps of  No. 3 North Carolina Central and No. 4 Morgan St. during the regular season.

The Morgan State Bears earned their top four seed through a tiebreaker formula that gave them a benefit from playing one fewer game than No. 5 South Carolina State.  South Carolina State finished 7-7 in conference and Morgan finished 7-6. However, the difference between playing 13 versus 14 MEAC games led to the Bears finishing with a .538 win percentage and the Bulldogs finished at .500.  The small points difference only signifies Morgan will be the designated “home” team when they meet in Thursday’s quarterfinals at 6pm at The Scope Arena.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) earned the No. 6 seed despite tying with Coppin State, who finished 6-8 inside the conference.  UMES claimed the No. 6 seed via head-to-head tiebreaker, leaving Coppin as the No. 7 seed.

Howard has a dangerous quarterfinal opponent from Baltimore’s West side.  Coppin State was enigmatic during their inconsistent regular season but gave the Bison their last loss at Burr Gym less than 48 hours following the win over Morgan in the HBCU Classic.  They will meet Wednesday night at 8pm in the tournament opener for both schools. HU’s season ended with an 83-61 loss to Norfolk St. on the road at Echols Hall.

However, the Bison finished with four players earning all-MEAC honors led by senior Kyle Foster, who was named to the first team. During his senior year, Foster was named  MEAC Player of the Week three times. He was one of the nation’s top three point shooters by making over 46-percent of his long range shots.  On Feb. 19, Foster joined the exclusive 1,000-point club in the win over Morgan State at the inaugural NBA HBCU Classic during the All-Star Weekend showcase.

Redshirt sophomore Steve Settle III earned second team honors along with graduate student Randall Brumant. Settle III started all 28 games and finished fourth in MEAC scoring averaging 13.8 ppg while scoring double figures in scoring 20 times.

“Steve’s ability to be consistent has been a big help,” said Howard coach Kenny Blakeney. He’s gotten to the free throw line at lot and that has helped us.”

Brumant was the defensive presence in the lane and was a force on the boards.  He scored a season-high 22 points against Morgan State on Jan. 22 in Baltimore. 

Freshman guard Elijah Hawkins was named Rookie of the Year following a season where he averaged 13.0 points, 5.7 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 steals. Hawkins was named MEAC Rookie of the Week nine times this season and currently led the conference in assists and ranked third in steals.

“I think Elijah is the best point guard in the conference,” said Blakeney. “We have guys that are potent weapons. They can’t be as potent.”

Coppin State Redshirt freshman Nendah Tarke was named to the first team and All-Defensive Team while Greg Spurlock was named to the All-Rookie Team.  Tarke averaged 15.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists while averaging 3.1 steals in MEAC games.  He finished with 22 double/doubles in the regular season. Spurlock averaged 2.3 points per game, 1.5 rebounds, and joined Hawkins on the conference’s all rookie team.

Morgan State’s guard De’Torrion Ware was a second team all-MEAC selection following the regular season where he averaged just under 11 points per game.

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By Steve Reed,
AP Sports Writer

The lack of Black head coaches in college sports remains problematic, according to a diversity study for racial and gender hiring practices.

The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) at the University of Central Florida released its annual report on March 3, showing the representation of Black head coaches for all college sports has not shown much improvement over the last year.

Black coaches held only 9% of head positions at the Division I level, which was the same as last year. There were minimal increases at the Division II level (6.2%, up 0.2%) and in Division III (5.9%, up 0.4%) sports.

In all, 82.2% of men’s basketball head coaches are White, along with 89% of football head coaches and 94.5% of baseball head coaches across all three divisions. On the women’s side, White people comprised 82.1%, 84.9% and 88.7% in Divisions I, II, and III of head coaching positions, respectively.

In men’s Division I basketball, 24.3% of all head coaches were Black. While that is up 1.6% from last year, it remains 0.9% short of the all-time high of 25.2% reported in 2005-2006.

Dr. Richard Lapchick, the director of TIDES and the primary author of the study, called the continued lack of minority hires “unacceptable” adding that it is “concerning that we are not headed in the right direction.”

“With increased scrutiny because of the racial reckoning after the murder of George Floyd, it is simply not acceptable to lag behind where we were 15 years ago,” Lapchick said in the report. “It is hard to see the results from the widely proclaimed attention we are supposedly placing on diversity, equity and inclusion within higher education.”

Overall, college sports received a C+ grade for racial hiring practices from TIDES and a C for gender hiring practices.

Those grades examine a range of positions including leadership at the NCAA headquarters, conference commissioners, athletics directors and head coaches across Divisions I, II and III.

Lapchick said college sports continue to lag behind some of their professional counterparts when it comes to diversity hiring practices.

“Excluding HBCU institutions, the representation of women and people of color in key decision-making roles within collegiate athletics has been weak,” Lapchick said.

According to the report, the NCAA national office received high grades — a B+ for race in both senior leadership and professional positions and a B+ and A+ for gender in senior leadership and professional administration positions, respectively.

Lapchick would like to see that progress trickle down to colleges, noting that “athletic departments at the Division I, II, and III levels must strive to meet the standard being set by the NCAA national office.”

White people dominated the athletic director positions in Division I (82.3%), II (89.9%), and III (90.5%). Women represented 14% of Division I athletics directors, a decrease of 0.3% from 2019-20. The number of women ADs at the Division II and III levels have increased slightly since last year.

Lapchick said changes need to be made at leadership positions at the college level to reflect the diversity of the student-athlete population.

“The data continue to reflect that better efforts need to focus on diverse hiring and retention of ethnic minorities and women in college athletics,” Felicia Martin, NCAA interim senior vice president for inclusion, education and community engagement said in a statement to The Associated Press. “To assist our membership with identifying qualified administrators, the NCAA has a number of exceptional leadership initiatives and inclusion programs.”

Lapchick suggested a three-pronged approach to help in minority hiring. His suggestions include:

— Adopt a form of the NFL’s Rooney Rule (which is used to promote interview opportunities for minorities) on a conference-by-conference basis.

— An increase in athlete activism to push for change at the college level.

— Work with high-level corporate sponsors to demand change in hiring practices.

He pointed out that working with sponsors was key to the NFL franchise in Washington dropping its previous name because it was deemed offensive to some Native Americans.

They are now known as the Washington Commanders.

“Their three main corporate sponsors said they were pulling out if they don’t change their name,” which Lapchick said helped motivate the NFL franchise to take action. “So I’m hoping to be able to rally corporate America which sponsors the NCAA events, the colleges and conferences and make sure diversity inclusion is important to them.”

___

AP Sports Writer Aaron Beard contributed to this report.

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By Stephanie Harper,
Special to the AFRO

Baltimore City bid farewell to Black History Month in high fashion this year, with a slew of events related to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament occurring at the Royal Farms Arena in Downtown Baltimore.

The event brought an influx of Black dollars to area hotels, restaurants and entertainment scenes as members of the African diaspora poured into downtown Baltimore to watch top HBCU athletes compete and party with top music industry artists.

Residents and visitors alike reveled in the friendly rivalry as HBCU culture was put on full display. HBCU kings and queens made appearances along with the high-spirited cheerleaders, known for their pep and acrobatic skill. Members of the Divine Nine could be seen proudly bearing their crests and organization colors at the CIAA Tournament Step Show Showdown Greeks vs. Greeks step show, a staple of HBCU gatherings.

“Step shows are a positive environment where fraternities and sororities are able to showcase their organization principles and the camaraderie within the respective organizations,” said Landon White of the Alpha Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. “HBCUs benefit from a recruiting aspect. The youth in the stands may want to feel the thrill of one day being in a stroll line in the crowd or being on the big stage.”

The Alpha Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity. was founded on the campus of Baltimore’s prestigious Morgan State University in 1963. The men claimed the top prize at the step show, which was hosted by 92Q radio station. 

The Alpha Chapter managed to blend traditional elements of Black Greek step culture with Baltimore’s own unique style of music and dance. The crowd gathered inside the Royal Farms Arena went wild when local celebrity Carnell Nichols, Jr. appeared to show off his signature moves.

“The students and kids get to see Baltimore dance, it means everything,” said the originator of Baltimore’s “Carnell Stomp.” “We’ve been trying to get these moves seen more [all] over the world.”

Aside from a cameo by Nichols, the centaurs of the Alpha Chapter also sent fans into a frenzy when they referenced the cult-classic series, “The Wire,” while also tastefully paying homage to slain rapper Lor Skoota by catching “Bird Flu.”

Aside from the step show, Gwynn Hilton, one of Baltimore’s most diverse artists was featured on the ZaZapalooza stage in a lineup that included the likes of multi-platinum rap artist, Jadakiss. 

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

After waiting through a virtual pandemic cancellation in 2021, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) brought Black college basketball’s biggest party to Charm City and there was history made in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. 

With the taste of a championship game loss to Winston Salem State in the last minutes of the 2020 finals as motivation, Fayetteville State University (FSU) made the most of its second consecutive CIAA championship game appearance by defeating Virginia Union 65-62.  Former Bowie State coach Luke D’Alessio joined the select group of coaches that has now won CIAA championships at multiple schools.

“I’m proud of this team for working so hard to get to this point,” said D’Alessio.  “We had to deal with problems that hit us hard and scheduling problems when we couldn’t practice or play while other conferences were competing.”

In the last championship game of the Charlotte, NC era, FSU fell apart during the final three minutes and lost to Winston-Salem State when coach Cleo Hill, Jr. preceded D’Alessio as a championship winner at multiple CIAA schools. This time, they got revenge on the Rams in the semifinals Friday night, then fought off another late Panthers rally to escape with their second CIAA Tournament and automatic entry into the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time since 1973.  

“We just got to stay locked into Coach Luke’s plan. We’re happy with this CIAA championship, but we want to make a run in that national championship,” said men’s tournament MVP Cress Worthy. “We’ve been talking about it all year, the CIAA championship and then we’re going to work for that ‘natty.’ It’s just continuing to follow Coach Luke’s plan and I believe we can get the job done.”

However, it was the motivation for a fallen teammate that fueled Lincoln University’s first ever drive to a CIAA title in women’s basketball.  The Lions’ dedicated their championship season to former All-CIAA player DeAshia Young, who died February 5 of an unknown cause in Detroit.

“The Lincoln community needs this. It’s been a rough time, but these kids have worked and they have fought,” said first year Coach Janice Washington. “Everybody can deserve , but you have to go out and get it.” 

CIAA Player of the Year Bryanna Brown scored 28 points in the CIAA women’s tournament championship to lead Lincoln to their 67-52 victory over second seed Elizabeth City State. Brown, who was named tournament MVP, scored eight points during a spurt that gave them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish before the break. 

Joy Morton was the catalyst for a decisive 20-8 run during a critical stretch to seize control late in the first half.  Lincoln finished the game with a 20-8 run in the final seven minutes to pull away from a perilous four point lead when ECSU cut the 10 point halftime margin to 47-44.  Morton scored 12 points for the Lions.  

“It was so devastating to us. But it just gave us more determination and put more fire into our hearts to go ahead and finish off when we started because this was something that meant so much to ,” Morton said. “All she talked about was winning the championship and the fact that she is no longer here to even experience this part. It was only right to do this in honor of her with this one.”

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By Mark F. Gray
Special to the AFRO

Howard basketball coach Kenny Blakeney wasn’t expecting it to be a teachable moment. It was supposed to be merely another chance to make history by playing on the NBA All Star Weekend’s biggest stage.  However, fate gave Howard a lesson before they got to Cleveland and beat Morgan State 68-66 in another resilient victory to claim the inaugural HBCU Classic on Feb. 19.

In the aftermath of last week’s snowstorm, the Bison were late arriving to the shores of a frozen great lake because their flight was canceled with the team seated on the plane moments before the scheduled takeoff. Without any flights available, Howard scrubbed its plans for their 57-minute flight to the famous Ohio city. They made arrangements from the tarmac to bus from D.C. and the team didn’t arrive until 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning for a game that was scheduled to tipoff at 2 p.m. local time.

“I consider myself an educator as well as a basketball coach,” said Coach Blakeney.  “This was a lesson about resilience and overcoming adversity to achieve your goal.  Our goal was to come out and make history and win this game. I’m so proud of this group who’s been through a lot.”

“This will be a day these guys can look back on when they become professionals in life,” Blakeney added.

Normally the highlight of the NBA All-Star Saturday is the prime time showcase featuring the three-point shooting contest and the slam dunk  competition.  However, this HBCU Classic was the premiere event of the Saturday schedule.  In this frozen moment of Black College Sports history, HBCU culture and entertainment merged at the intersection of SportsCenter and Access Hollywood to create the atmosphere of HBCU homecoming.

ESPN and TNT used primarily HBCU talent for their broadcast such as Winston Salem State alumni Stephen A. Smith and Coppin State’s Stephanie Ready.  Hampton’s Brian Custer also handled the play by play for the worldwide leader of sports’ coverage.

Before the game, NBA stars Stephen Curry and Chris Paul spoke to each team in the locker room before the game, which was broadcast nationally on TNT and ESPN2 simultaneously, while Keke Palmer performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as well as the national anthem.

Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young took photos with the Morgan State players before tipoff at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center.

There were celebrities lining the front row seats for a glimpse at the HBCU experience.  Young NBA All Stars Khris Middleton, Collin Sexton, and Gary Payton witnessed the flavor of basketball with soul where timeouts and halftime are part of the show.

 Spike Lee, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson shared this moment of Black History from the most expensive seats as well.

Howard won their sixth consecutive game and capped a sweep against the slumping Bears.  The Bison trailed by as many as 12 after the intermission and reeled in Morgan for the second time this season. Morgan is mastering the second half meltdown. They have squandered leads of more than ten points in three of their last four games.

 Kyle Foster, who continues adding to his Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player of the Year candidacy, scored a team-high 18 points and helped Howard erase a 12-point deficit in the final period against their Charm City rivals again. Foster started the game as the NCAA leader in three-point shooting percentage, but made two clutch free throws in the final seconds to put a Lake Erie chill on the victory.

“The biggest thing is the culture-like understanding where you come from and what goes into that is really important,” Foster said.  “The HBCU experience really emphasizes that.  It’s a growing thing now and I think we’re on the map.”

De’Torrion Ware led Morgan State with 19 points and seven rebounds but faded down the stretch with his teammates again.

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By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor
mgreen@afro.com

Fisk University announced on Feb. 11 that the institution will be the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU), and the first in the state of Tennessee to have an intercollegiate gymnastics team.  

“Women’s gymnastics exemplifies the values of Fisk University: determination, excellence, and a commitment to a more just and equitable future,” the University wrote in a statement. “These values have consistently been at the forefront of women’s gymnastics and Fisk could not be more excited to welcome these remarkable student-athletes to the campus starting this coming fall.”

Fisk’s decision to begin a women’s gymnastics team came after there was demand for such a program and thousands of young ladies interested in HBCUs.

We thought it was an opportunity right now because there are so many young women who want to come to an HBCU,” said Fisk President Vann Newkirk Sr. To the Tennessean. “We’ve got interest right now from 60 to 70 young women and so with that kind of interest, we said it’s better now than later,” she said. 

According to the Tennessean Athletic Director Larry Glover hopes to hire a gymnastics coach within the next few months.

Fisk is part of the National Athletic Intercollegiate Association (NAIA) and has six men’s teams (basketball, soccer, outdoor and indoor track, golf and cross country) and currently six, soon to be seven, women’s team (basketball, indoor and outdoor track, golf, volleyball, cross country and now gymnastics).

The University is looking for a roster of ideally 20-30 young women.  The University is already working to secure scholarship funding for the future gymnasts. 

Fisk plans to have at least five meets in fall 2022, competing in Divisions I, II and II. Glover said the institution plans to train the new team at Nashville Gymnastics Training Center and home meets will take place on Fisk’s campus inside the Henderson A. Johnson Gymnasium.

In preparation for the gymnastics team’s launch, Fisk worked with a group of advisors, including Fisk Board Trustee Frank Simmons, Vice President of Finance Norman Jones, W.E.B. DuBois Honors Program Director LaTonya Rogers, Rutgers University coach Umme Salim-Beasley and Brown Girls Do Gymnastics Founder Derrin Moore.

The University plans to host conferences, clinics and invitationals with some of their partnerships organizations, such as Brown Girls Do Gymnastics.

Many people expressed their excitement for the announcement on social media.

“Great for Fisk,” one person wrote on the AFRO’s Facebook when announcing the news on the show “AFRO News at Noon.”

“Guys Fisk University just became the first HBCU to sponsor women’s gymnastics? The best news!,” a woman wrote on Twitter, garnering more than 1,000 likes and reactions.

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By Associated Press

The inaugural NBA HBCU Classic between Howard and Morgan State will be televised nationally as part of All-Star weekend festivities as the league expands support of historically Black colleges and universities.

The Feb. 19 game will be broadcast on TNT and ESPN2 from Wolstein Center, Cleveland State’s home arena.

Along with the exposure, the schools will receive $100,000 donations from the NBA and AT&T, with the gifts intended to support Howard and Morgan State student-athletes with academic and wellness resources and more.

The league expects some of its All-Stars and members of the 75th Anniversary team to attend the game.

“The historic partnership that has given rise to the NBA HBCU Classic is helping to elevate HBCUs at a critical time for our country,” Howard Athletic Director Kery Davis said. “HBCUs and the NBA have a shared legacy of using their platforms to serve their communities and amplify the voices of marginalized people.”

Led by former union president Chris Paul, the National Basketball Players Association pushed to get HBCUs connected to the All-Star Weekend in 2021. Although many events were altered by the COVID-19 pandemic, $3 million was raised.

In addition to playing during All-Star Weekend, Morgan State and Howard’s teams will meet with NBA and team executives as well as current and former players in programs focused on professional development and networking.

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

The ups and downs of a young but talented team continued for  Howard University (HU) at their home of Burr Gymnasium when University of Maryland-Eastern Shore (UMES) made their annual pilgrimage to the District last weekend.  However, there were flashes of dominance before and after halftime as the Bison pulled away for a 72-64 win.

HU improved to 9-10 (3-3) while the Hawks dropped to 7-10 (2-4) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) standings.  The tension of recent games between these two programs during this rivalry brought an early intensity to the floor that portends of MEAC Tournament basketball games normally played in March. 

“This win said a lot about our team,” said Howard men’s basketball head coach Kenny Blakeney. “It was a grind out, methodical kind of effort from our guys and it showed great poise, maturity and resilience. It was a great win for us.”

The Bison needed to re-acquaint themselves with the comforts of “The Burr” after a visit to the Carolinas where they finished 1-1. HU followed an emotional  75-74 overtime win at N.C. Central with a lackadaisical performance at S.C. State where they lost 58-55.

There were no style points in this victory as Howard struggled mightily to put the ball in the basket for most of the game. HU shot a paltry 39-percent (23-of-59) from the field despite nine Bison who scored in the game.  Kyle Foster, who entered the contest as the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, led all scorers with 20 points on 7-of-13 shooting.  Foster was able to force the UMES defense to extend itself outside the lane, by making 4-of-9 from beyond the three point arc.

During the first half the less than aesthetic struggle produced countless empty possessions despite a frenetic pace throughout the period. Howard grabbed the upper hand before intermission. HU clamped down on the defensive end and held Eastern Shore scoreless over the final five minutes before halftime. The Bison closed the half on a 9-0 run to lead 32-24 at the break. 

However, the good fortune was short-lived after the break. HU squandered their eight point halftime lead as the lid temporarily closed on their side of the court after the intermission. The Hawks defensive intensity disrupted Howard’s offense and gave them the chance to climb back into the game.  UMES tied the game at 44 thanks to a jumper from Nathaniel Pollard, Jr., who led them with 19 points.

 Howard answered the Hawks’ charge by tapping into their reservoir of resilience with a 21-4 run that gave them control for good. Junior Khalil Robinson nailed a jumper with less than four minutes left that effectively put the game on ice 65-48. 

 The reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week Elijah Hawkins scored 12 points, dropped eight assists and grabbed four boards. Redshirt sophomore Steve Settle, III chipped in with 10 points and four rebounds in the win.

“I love our balance,” Blakeney said. “Even though Elijah and Steve don’t have a lot of playing experience, it’s great that they can rely on guys like Kyle, Randall Brumant and Tai Bibbs. 

 Brumant finished with eight points, four rebounds and two blocked shots. Bibbs scored four points and collected five boards.

“It was a great balanced team victory,” Blakeney said.

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By Mark F. Gray
Special to the AFRO

Of the many stars who rose from the days of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) when it was the best conference in college basketball, there was nobody who personified its legacy more than Earl “The Pearl” Monroe.   

Monroe will join fellow basketball Hall of Famer Bob Dandridge, who also ranks in the pantheon of CIAA lore, by tipping off the festivities in Charm City during the Baltimore Youth Sports Clinic on Feb. 19 at the UA House training facility. While many of the camp’s attendees parents were not alive to remember he nor Dandridge during their paths to basketball immortality, Monroe is hoping they can bridge the generational gaps between baby boomers and the post millennials through the spectrum of basketball.

“When you think in terms of Black basketball was the premiere conference when we played,” said Monroe, who played for the legendary coach Clarence “Big House” Gaines  at Winston Salem State, who is an alumnus of  Morgan State. “It was the best basketball you could see.”

The Youth Sports Clinic will be one week to the day from the CIAA’s Championship Saturday on Feb. 26 at the Royal Farms Arena. Monroe and Dandridge will focus their conversations on capitalizing on the opportunities that basketball presents to potential student-athletes after they step away from the court.

“Me and Bobby are going to do a Q & A session that will answer questions kids have on their mind,” Monroe said. “Some of the same questions we had back in our day they are asking today. Although times are different the same questions are being asked by this generation.  

During his senior year at Winston Salem State, Monroe led the Rams to an NCAA Division II title, averaging 41.5 points per game. As his legend grew on the basketball floor, a local sportswriter in Winston Salem, N.C. launched the phrase “Earl’s Pearls” as a homage to his prolific scoring and the moniker that made him an icon was born.

  Monroe was the second overall pick in the 1967 NBA Draft by the Baltimore Bullets (now the Washington Wizards). His impact was immediate with the Bullets and he was able to take advantage of the late Wes Unseld’s rebounds that launched their fast break, which allowed one of the more creative scoring players in history to bring his showmanship to a passionate basketball fan base. Monroe’s Bullets reached the NBA Finals, but lost to Dandridge’s Milwaukee Bucks in 197X in seven games.  

From his perch as an all-time HBCU Sports legend, Monroe sees the proliferation of talent coming back to Black Colleges as a renaissance in athletics.  He sees the pathways to pro basketball leveling that there is an easier path to the NBA from Black Colleges than there has been for the last half century.

“I think this is amazing. The idea of this was that they would never be coming back from the beginning,” Monroe said. “Since most of the major college programs were built on Black players, why shouldn’t they now be coming back to Black schools.”

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By AFRO Staff

From left, Ashley Watson, Rolando Reid, Shanwayne Stephens and Matthew Wekpe, members of the Jamaican four-man bobsled team, are back in the Winter Olympics for the first time since 1998. Reid, a former track and field standout, is a 2016 Morgan State graduate.

Three-time Olympian and Morgan State University graduate (class of ‘80), Neville G. Hodge, has put together a Jamaican sled team for the first time to compete for the gold at this year’s 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Hodge was a former head coach of MSU’s track and field team. Bobsledding portion of the Olympics, runs from Feb. 12 – 19. 

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

Two milestones featuring a pair of walk off game winning shots led to victories for Bowie State and Howard as both teams started resembling teams that were expected to be contenders in the CIAA and MEAC.

BSU alumnus and head men’s basketball coach Darrell Brooks became the winningest coach in program history after the Bulldogs 71-68 win at the buzzer against Elizabeth City State. Brooks sealed his 200th career win as senior Justin Route hit a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer for the win.

“200 wins, wow – when I took the job here 12 years ago that never crossed my mind, but I got here with great players, great coaches and the grace of God,” said Brooks. “I am so happy for my guys, I owe a lot to them and the coaches that have been here over the last 12 years. I am happy to get it, but I had a lot of help along the way.”

 Sophomore David McCullough led Bowie State in scoring with 14 points and six rebounds, while both Kobby Ayetey  and sophomore Anthony Carpenter added 13 points. Junior Quinton Drayton and Route added 10 points and six rebounds in the Bulldogs home victory.

 ECSU led by 19 in the second half, but the Bulldogs were relentless in their comeback effort. BSU cut the lead to single digits four times before a three-pointer from Carpenter led to an 8-0 run for BSU.  However, over the last 2:49  another 10-4 run ended with a 3-pointer from Ayetey with 36 seconds left. The Bulldogs forced a turnover and after an offensive rebound before Carpenter found Route in the corner for the last second heroics.

Meanwhile, Howard grad-student Kyle Foster scored a career-high 27 points, including the game-winning three-pointer, to lift the Bison past North Carolina Central 75-74 in overtime. Foster nailed what proved to be the game winner with a corner three-pointer with only two seconds left in the extra period. It was HU’s first win at NCCU’s McDougald-McLendon Arena since December 2015.

Howard’s pulled to within the .500 mark overall and evened their (8-9, 2-2 MEAC) standing, while getting its second win during this critical four-game road swing while ending the NCCU curse that has plagued them on Tobacco Road.

 Foster blistered the nets shooting 10-of-12 from the floor, which included making 5-of-6 on his three point shots.  He also contributed  defensively while recording two steals.

HU led 39-22 at halftime but N.C. Central opened the second half on a 7-0 run, capped by a layup from Randy Miller, Jr., that pulled the Eagles to within 39-29.  

The Bison, who once led by 24 points, saw their lead totally evaporate when NCCU’s Justin Wright scored on a fastbreak layup and put the Eagles ahead 48-47 midway through the final half of regulation. Howard erased a six point deficit over the final five minutes to force the extra period by tying the score at 62.

NCCU held an eight-point advantage after a trey ball by Marque Maultsby, but the Bison had one-last run in extra time. Five time MEAC Rookie of the Week Elijah Hawkins forced several turnovers leading to fastbreak points.

With :18 seconds left in OT, the Eagles lead, but Howard senior Deven Richmond grabbed a loose offensive rebound and found Hawkins who passed off to Foster in the corner for the game winner.

 Redshirt sophomore Steve Settle III  had another solid all around performance finishing with 17 points, three rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Hawkins added nine points, seven assists and a career-high seven steals.

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By Micha Green,
AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor
mgreen@afro.com

In a few short weeks Charm City will host the 76th Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament, ushering in important athletic, political, career and social events for young people to seasoned adults. While the celebration’s official kickoff date is Feb. 22, CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams told the AFRO there will be events to get the CIAA party and tournament started a whole week before any institution will be going toe-to-toe for the coveted championship trophy. After missing a year of an in-person tournament, McWilliams, the CIAA team, hundreds of thousands of fans and supporters and, most important, the student athletes, are ready for the week of basketball, educational opportunities, service projects, performances and fun.

“It’s 365 days of planning, but really it’s been more than that because we hadn’t been able to get to Baltimore. Last year we had the virtual tournament so that we can stay connected to the community and relevant and continue to tell our stories, and the team has been working diligently since then to get ready for the tournament that’s coming up in less than 20 days,” Commissioner McWilliams said. “We’re all anxious, everybody’s excited. We have concerns in the sense of, we want to make sure that we put in the proper protocols to put this tournament on and make people feel good about coming,” she added.

Despite optimistic thoughts of a COVID-free tournament in 2022, after vaccinations and lowering coronavirus rates, Omicron reared its highly contagious head, requiring some changes to the original plans. 

“Now that Omicron came, we’re having to shift a little bit,” McWilliams said. 

“We work in sports, so we can change the play however we need to,”  the former CIAA athlete-turned-president aptly added.

For McWilliams, the first priority in pivoting has been the students who spend their whole lives prepping for their CIAA moment.

“Most important to me has been the student athletes, the venue is ready for them to play, that we put in the protocols that they are safe, and we put the right people around them to make sure that they’re safe so that they can have a great experience. The Championship means everything to every student athlete that plays in the CIAA. I played in the CIAA. If you can’t win a CIAA Tournament, it’s like disappointing for life, so at the end of the day we start in the venue and move out to all the spectacular things that are going on,” the Commissioner said.

Having accounted for the players’ and venue safety, updated protocols and mandated masks, the Commissioner said the week is fun-filled with several daily activities that will allow for Tournament attendees to safely attend the games as well as engage with the packed programming that offer tools, outlets and resources important to the Black community.

“To engage our community, knowing that we’re in Baltimore, the virtual pivot was huge for us,” she said. “What’s going to happen if we can’t be in person? The relevancy in making sure that people feel connected to something. It’s Black History Month. Our tournament is at the end of the month, where people can come celebrate and reconnect. It’s a family reunion. So you had all these spaces in the virtual tournament, still allowing for connections, but not in the same way. We’ll do a hybrid this year. We’ll have the virtual platform, but we’ll also have in-person events. There’ll be a lot of in-person events, but we’ll also pipe those into the virtual.”

In addition to the basketball games, performances and parties, the CIAA will be offering educational resources for physical, mental and women’s health, Hall of Fame celebrations, the Career Expo and its annual service project.

“With Samaritan’s Feet, we’ll do the community work and deliver shoes at a local elementary school not too far from downtown Baltimore. We did that last year with Bowie State University, we distributed 500 shoes within the community, working with Samaritan’s Feet as our partners,” Commissioner McWilliams said.

“The things that are important to us will never end,” she emphasized. “We’ll keep doing it, even if we have to do it differently. We’re very good at pivoting. Is it a lot of work? Absolutely.”

However, the hard work of changing the play, still can lead to a big win, at least that’s what McWilliams expects from this year’s tournament.  

“CIAA is of value to the economics in Baltimore. We can’t put our hand or finger on what we think those numbers will be this year, but we have people coming to the community, folks who’ve never been there, who want to come to the Tournament.  It’s great exposure for the city, it’s great exposure for the community, and the way that we engage in the community, it allows for people to value all 12 of our member institutions,” McWilliams said. “And most definitely we want to recruit in Baltimore and the DMV area. We want these students to see CIAA as a platform. We’re a platform for 12 member institutions, and really for HBCUs. Anytime any of our Conferences that hold big events, like the Celebration Bowl, we’re all tapped into that. We support each other, we celebrate each other and it really gives us an opportunity to really gain exposure for HBCUs across the world. CIAA has that platform.”

In addition to the important public exposure gained through the CIAA offers, the Tournament is often a moment to offer opportunities for the next generation of basketball stars, CEOs and thought leaders.

“You talk about Sports, and politics, and community. Sports have always been an avenue, throughout the history of this country to lead, and HBCUs have been always in this country to lead in sports. And CIAA has left great impressions, we have Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, that played at Winston Salem State on the first Division II National Championship Team, he will be part of the experience.  He’s been part of the experience since Day one, when Baltimore came to take the Tournament, and same thing with Bobby Dandridge. We’ll do a Sports Clinic the Saturday prior, so that we can speak to these youth, give life to these youth, give them all these opportunities and accesses that they have, not just in the CIAA, but throughout life,” McWilliams said. “We all did it, we used the CIAA to get us there.  I was a CIAA athlete, I played in the game, and here I am some years later, since 1991 when I graduated, now the Commissioner. So I think CIAA is important for jobs, access, and opportunity.” 

Finally, with COVID-19 still plaguing the world and hitting Black communities hard, the Commissioner emphasized that it is up to all Tournament attendees to do their due diligence to keep others safe. 

“We’ll be wearing masks and that’s not an option. People will need to wear masks at all of our events. We take it very seriously. Our community is impacted by COVID at the highest rates, so we have a responsibility,” she said. “If we’re going to have an event of this magnitude, then we need to make sure that people are following the protocols and being good players. We need everybody to be a part of the team so we can win.”

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

There was never a time where Howard seemed fazed by anything Morgan threw at them Saturday afternoon in Baltimore. Despite a barrage of three pointers in the first half, which led to a 10-point lead, the Bison remained poised and executed head coach Kenny Blakeney’s offense.

For a team who let their game against Notre Dame slip through their fingertips thanks to a meltdown of execution, Howard held off the Bears in the first of what could be three meetings this year with a 91-82 win at Hill Field House.

The Bison, who are being led by a talented group of freshmen that has found its rhythm, ended a three game losing streak while earning its first conference win of the season.  Howard entered the week 7-8 overall and 1-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.  The win was also the first time coach Blakeney won a MEAC game away from Burr Gym.

“I’m really proud of the effort our guys played with today,” said Blakeney. “Morgan State is really good. It was a great job for us to come into Baltimore and get this win.”

To this point in the young conference season Morgan has underachieved. A Bears team that was picked to finish second behind Norfolk State continues to rely heavily on three point shooting which failed them badly in the second half.  The loss dropped MSU to 6-9 overall and 1-2 (MEAC).  

Howard was led by a trio of 20 point performances that were especially clutch during the second half stretch, which propelled them to the victory.  Graduate student Randall Brumant finished with a season-high 22 points on 10-of-12 shooting.  Brumant had his way with the soft Bears interior defense that often late with their rotations leaving him to terrorize them in the paint.   

“We’ve been putting in the work all season long,” said Brumant, who leads Howard in rebounding (5.7 rpg). “We’ve been in a lot of close games and came up short. It was good to get this road win.”

The Bison’ dynamic DeMatha High freshman duo of Steve Settle III and Elijah Hawkins played big in helping them secure the first conference win of the season.  Settle took advantage of the porous Morgan interior scoring 21 points and grabbing eight rebounds.  Walker’s leadership was  beyond his years  down the stretch as he was able to calmly direct their offense during critical moments in the second half and finished the game with 20 points.

Morgan opened the game blistering the nets from the perimeter to start the first half behind junior guard De’Torrion Ware, who led the Bears with 23 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Ware was in and out of their lineup while appearing to receive medical attention for a hand injury that kept them out of the lineup during several stretches, especially in the second half. It was his third consecutive game recording a double-double and the sixth of his career.  

The next time these two teams meet will be in Cleveland during the NBA All-Star weekend festivities in a nationally televised matchup on NBA-TV Feb. 19.

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By Mark F. Gray,
Special to the AFRO

The countdown to the tip off of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) trip to Baltimore is in full swing. Charm City has already rolled out the welcome mat as witnessed by the logos of all the CIAA schools that are currently draped across the Harborplace walkway on Pratt Street.

From Feb. 22-26 the nation’s premiere Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) basketball event will take over downtown, in what, city officials are hoping, will be a financial windfall for tourism during what is normally a barren time for the hospitality and tourism industries during the latter days of winter.

After a year’s delay, the CIAA Basketball Tournament will debut in Royal Farms Arena for a week of activities that is bigger than just the men’s and women’s conference championships. It has become a week of social activities surrounding the game and has made it a cultural experience. Maryland’s largest city hopes to benefit from a potential $30 million impact on the economy.

“Baltimore is a basketball town through and through and this tournament will bring the best of Black America to Baltimore,” said Mayor Brandon Scott. “Students and graduates of HBCUs will visit Baltimore in just a few weeks to experience our great city and everything that we have to offer.”

Baltimore’s three-year agreement to host the nation’s oldest HBCU basketball tournament was scheduled to start last February.  However, because of the pandemic the festivities were canceled and a tournament without basketball was held virtually.     

The CIAA Tournament ended a successful 17-year run in Charlotte, N.C. that brought greater attention to basketball through national television and radio exposure. However, as the cache of tournament became more of a “thing” that influenced visitors to “The Queen City” for events other than basketball, the conference began losing out to fans who were there to party and not watch the games. While it proved to be an economic boom for that metropolis in the Carolinas, the CIAA struggled to put fans in the seats. 

Estimates are that the tournament had between a $30-50 million impact on the local economy in that region. However, the conference recognized their fan base in the Northeast had been clamoring for the tournament being relocated to the I-95 corridor. Scores of CIAA alumni from the “Tri-State” (NJ, NY, CT) area along with Philadelphia and D.C. hadn’t been traveling to the tournament because of its proximity to them.

“We recognized early on that social activities are a big part of the CIAA Tournament experience, ” said Al Hutchinson, president and CEO of Visit Baltimore, the organization who led the bid process and represents as hosts for the city. “That’s why we immediately set out to find minority promoters to help stage events that provide safe entertainment options for visitors of all ages.

As always there will be the customary multitude of affiliated events that officials are hoping will appeal to a diverse demographic of alumni, fans, and tourists. The week’s activities will include Education Day, and a Career Expo which are designed to engage high school students about HBCUs and to expose upcoming graduates to job opportunities with various companies.

The free CIAA Fan Fest and Super Saturday, step-shows and concerts will again be featured during tournament week at the Baltimore Convention Center. Among the artists confirmed to perform at the official CIAA Tournament events are Big Daddy Kane, YoYo, Monie Luv, Rakim and Michel’le, DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Kool.

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By George B. Cunningham, Texas A&M University

A couple of weeks after the close of the National Football League’s regular season, there is just one Black head coach and one Latino head coach left in the League – Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Ron Rivera of the Washington Football Team, respectively. This follows the firing of Brian Flores by the Miami Dolphins and David Culley by the Houston Texans.

In other words, in a league in which most of the players are Black, 30 of the 32 NFL head coaches are white.

I have studied diversity and inclusion in sport for more than two decades, including the ways in which race and gender intersect to affect leadership opportunities for women and men. My research shows that biased decision-making, organizational cultures that value similarity, and societal forms of bias and discrimination are all to blame for the lack of diversity among NFL head coaches.

History of exclusion

The dismal numbers are nothing new. In 1989, Art Shell became the first Black head coach of an NFL team in the modern era. But his hiring did not break down the barriers other minority coaches face in the NFL.

Seeking to address its diversity problem, the NFL adopted the Rooney Rule in 2003, requiring teams to interview at least two minority candidates for their head coach openings. In 2021, the league expanded the rule to include general managers and offensive and defensive coordinators.

The policy had positive short-term effects, as the league saw an increase in Black and Latino coaches. The gains have since diminished, though, and the number of Black head coaches at the start of the 2021 season, three, was the same as in 2003.

In short, the NFL is back to where it started.

When looking for explanations, it is helpful to explore factors at the individual, organizational and societal levels. Research evidence shows some of these explanations are better than others.

Individual factors

At the individual level, people might not obtain a job if they lack skills or experience, don’t have contacts or don’t apply. There is no consistent evidence, though, that any of these explanations describe Black coaches.

For example, scholars have found that Black assistant coaches in college football were less likely to be promoted and had less career satisfaction than their white counterparts, but neither was a function of the coaches’ experience, skills or social networks. This is the case in the NFL, too, where sports economists have also shown that Black assistant coaches are equally as skilled as their white counterparts.

Other researchers have analyzed NFL data from 1985 to 2018 and found no racial differences in the performance of head coaches.

In short, there is no evidence that Black coaches are unqualified.

Ron Rivera of the Washington Football Team is the only Latino head coach in the NFL. Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images

Organizations and leaders

On the other hand, research does show that leaders and organizations make a difference in who gets hired. For example, an analysis from Arizona State University’s Global Sports Institute shows that seven NFL teams have hired only white head coaches.

The types of positions Black coaches have access to also matters. Offensive and defensive coordinators are frequently in line for head coaching opportunities. But research at the NFL and NCAA levels reliably shows that white coaches are overrepresented in these coveted coordinator positions.

What’s referred to as “the glass cliff” offers another organizational explanation. This theory suggests that members of underrepresented groups are most likely to be hired by organizations that have a history of poor performance or that are in crisis. When performance continues to wane, the leaders are likely to be replaced by majority group members. Researchers have shown that race and racism also affect the glass cliff, including leaders in sport. Relative to white coaches, minoritized men’s basketball coaches were more likely to be hired to teams with a history of losing, and if they were unable to turn things around, they were likely to be replaced by white coaches.

These examples show that leaders clearly make a difference. A study of the Las Vegas Raiders further illustrates the point. Under former general manager Reggie McKenzie, who is Black, the Raiders had the highest share of Black players in the league, at 79.2%. In 2016, when McKenzie won NFL executive of the year, the Raiders also had the highest share of Black coaches, at 82.3%.

Raiders Head coach Jon Gruden was fired during the 2021 season after revelations he sent racist and homophobic emails. Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Following the 2018 season, the Raiders fired McKenzie and brought in a white head coach, Jon Gruden, and a white general manager, Mike Mayock. The percentage of Black players has decreased every year since. In 2021, in one of the most damaging blows to the NFL in recent memory, Gruden was fired for making racist and homophobic comments after an analysis of thousands of emails sent to NFL executives and others. McKenzie was fired after the season, too. At the same time, the percentage of Black players on the Raiders roster dropped to 67.2%.

Though the study on the Raiders focuses on players, organizational scholars have consistently shown that people are most likely to hire others who are of the same race. Bias among decision-makers can affect the diversity of the organization.

Systemic racism

Finally, societal factors make a difference, the most prevalent of which are systemic forms of racism, meaning racial bias at the community, state and national levels. Societal factors reflect people’s collective racial biases, as well as the racially tinged laws, policies and norms embedded in societies’ institutions.

A focus on systemic racism moves beyond individual actors and prioritizes the societal patterns of prejudice and discrimination. For example, my colleague and I have shown that county-level racism is predictive of fans’ reactions to Black Lives Matter protests by NFL players.

Systemic racism has an enduring impact that can affect people years later. Researchers have shown that counties most dependent on slavery in 1860 also have high levels of racism today. As systemic racism increased in these counties, Black residents’ poverty rates increased and their social mobility decreased.

Given the impact of systemic racism across all elements of society, it is hardly surprising that NFL coaches, analysts and scholars – including those in media studies, sport studies, sociology, sport management, and behavioral science – point to systemic racism as a reason for the lack of Black coaches in the league.

The evidence is clear: Organizations, their leaders and systemic racism all contribute. Until structural change occurs, the pattern will continue.

George B. Cunningham, Professor of Sport Management, Texas A&M University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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By Mark Gray 

(Zenger News) – At a time when the perception of football coaching at Historically Black Colleges and Universities is being defined by the personality of Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders at Jackson State, Bowie State’s Damon Wilson is a throwback.

Wilson’s path to what has become legendary status at his alma mater has not been easy. But he has helped transform a program that was an also-ran when he played there in the late 1980s into a nationally ranked power in the NCAA Division II.

“It was a process,” said Wilson. “When I transferred from junior college, and several teammates had a vision for this kind of success. We had only two years to impact the program as players and had some success, but once I graduated we were able to join the staff and help begin the process of moving things forward.”

Wilson was named 2021 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to their third consecutive Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship and a deep run in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Bowie State (10–2) advanced to the national quarterfinals for the first time in school history, the furthest an HBCU had been in the CIAA program since Winston Salem State won the national championship in 2012 and 2011.

“This particular award means a lot,” said Wilson. “There have been very few minorities to receive this accomplishment. When I learned I had won the award, it was almost surreal when you consider some of the legends like Eddie Robinson who never received an honor like this.

“As a coach at the Division II level, there are things you want to accomplish and this is one of those things.”

Wilson is something of an anomaly these days as many HBCU programs hire big-name former National Football League players as coaches to establish immediate credibility and hopefully expedite their move into championship caliber status — as Jackson State did with former NFL star Sanders.

Another option for many next-generation athletic administrators is hiring position coaches or coordinators from Division I Power 5 conference schools. Some HBCU programs are led by athletic directors with backgrounds at major college programs that have bypassed those who rise through the ranks of student-athlete, to position coach, to coordinator yet aren’t deemed qualified for head coaching jobs.

Often HBCU programs are professional pit stops on the road to major college opportunities. But Wilson has taken a more circuitous route to earn his place among elite coaches nationwide, and he recognizes the uphill battle those on his staff will face moving forward. Most of the coaches in the Bowie State program were former players under Wilson’s watch, and he hopes to continue to develop his own minority coaching tree, in addition to competing for championships.

“I don’t want any young coach to be concerned or discouraged about how to move forward in this profession,” said Wilson. “This is a cycle that we’re going through right now. I don’t look at HBCU as a different brand of football. It’s still college football, but the HBCU experience is different.”

One of the major differences is the resources, or lack thereof, that Wilson and most HBCU Division II coaches face. They have been notoriously underfunded. NCAA rules allow D-II programs to provide only 36 scholarships. Bowie State offers 18 in the best of financial times. This means the university misses the chance to sign many players from a talented recruiting base in the area and the opportunity to land transfer students who could make a difference.

‘A thinker and a great communicator’

“Damon is a thorough thinker and a great communicator, which has served him well on the field and off,” said Clyde Doughty, Bowie State’s vice president of intercollegiate athletics and recreation. “He comes in with a game plan that is strategic in his approach to development.”

Wilson learned as an understudy to former coach and mentor Henry Frazier III, a former Bowie State quarterback who was the head football coach at the university from 1999 to 2003. Frazier was the first coach to lead the program to a CIAA east division championship in 2002. His blueprint was to build a staff of former players and coach them to help young African American men grow into leaders off the field.

Frazier was also the architect of the first Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship in 2009 at Prairie View A&M, which lost 80 consecutive games between 1989–1998.

Frazier, now a part of Mike Locksley’s staff at the University of Maryland, said of Wilson: “He’s an old soul and a very humble man. This guy is a student of the game who soaks up knowledge like a sponge. There’s a formula for success at Bowie and once he figured it out, he stayed.

“This was never a pit stop for Damon. He loves Bowie State.”

In the aftermath of this historic season, Wilson has his eyes on the future. He is collaborating with Doughty to reach the financial goals that will help the program win a national championship. Though significant improvements have been made to the university’s football stadium, Wilson is one of the leaders of a fundraising campaign to build a new one.

He has started an endowment at Bowie State, one of the first steps he hopes will help keep the football team among the elite Division II in the quest for another national championship.

Over the past five years, Bowie State’s reputation nationally has grown in Division II circles.  With three consecutive CIAA football championships, a run to the NCAA quarterfinals, and the AFCA Coach of the Year award, the Bulldogs are no longer the best kept secret in the division.

However, Wilson said, “We aren’t going to be satisfied with just being a dominant HBCU program that is good with winning conference championships and making deep runs in the playoffs anymore.

“We’re competing to win a national championship.”

Edited by Judith Isacoff and Kristen Butler

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Submitted by Steven Kramer, Director of Athletic Communications

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Kimani Alphonse won the 400m dash and helped the 4x400m Relay to a silver to lead the Coppin State women’s track & field team in its season opener at the HBCU Showcase on Saturday afternoon at the NYC Armory.

Alphonse clocked an indoor personal record of 56.60 to blow out the 400m dash and was joined by Salomay Agyei, Claudina Constantine and Kamillah Monroque in the 4x400m Relay that took  second in 3:51.15.  Coppin’s 4×400 ‘B’ Relay team of Cathryn Lane, Shenelle Tomlinson, Jahmei Wyatt and Kaelyn Woodrum took fourth in 4:05.99.

Coppin had three other performers finish in second place in their individual events.  Tomlinson took second in the 800m Run (2:23.97), Monroque in the Mile (5:30.29) and Woodrum in the long jump (17’ 1.5”).

Olivia Wright also medaled for the Eagles, taking third in the triple jump (35’ 5.75”).

Earning valuable points in other events were Agyei in the 400m (4^th; 58.18), Wyatt (6^th; 5:45.16) and Constantine (7^th; 5:46.23) in the Mile, and both Erin Palmer (5^th; 9.18) and Woodrum (6^th; 9.21) in the 60m hurdles.

Lane led CSU in the 60m dash in 7.98 while Angel Davis doubled up in the 60m (8.46) and 200m dash (27.17).

Coppin returns to the track for the USC Indoor Open in South Carolina on January 22.

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By Mark F. Gray
Special to the AFRO

Damon Wilson, architect of three CIAA Football Championships at Bowie State University, was named the 2021 American Football Coaches Association National Coach of the Year for the NCAA Division II.  The announcement was made during the AFCA Convention in San Antonio, TX.

Wilson, now in his 12th year at the helm of the Bulldogs football program, is the first Bowie State and CIAA coach to win the national award which is the top coaching honor in Division II.

“This is the ultimate team award,” said Wilson. “I appreciate the recognition, but it’s impossible to win this award without great coaches, players and alumni buying in. I understand the impact of this award and its history.”

Wilson is a Bowie State and CIAA lifer who played at the school and has been a part of the ascension of the program from virtually dormant to becoming the most dominant in the conference. He was an all-conference tight end for the Bulldogs in 1998 and in first tour of duty as an assistant coach from 1999-2003.  

He led BSU to its greatest football season ever in 2021 with a series of accomplishments that seemed virtually impossible when he played just before the turn of the century. Bowie State finished with a 12-2 record and their two losses were to Division I Delaware State of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and to Valdosta (GA) State in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Championship. 

Last year’s trip to the national playoffs, which ended two games away from the national championship, was the farthest the program had ever advanced.  It also marked the farthest a CIAA team had gone in the Division II playoffs since 2010 when Winston Salem State advanced to the national championship game. 

The Bulldogs also won their third consecutive  (CIAA) Northern Division title and conference championship with a 7-0 league record. It also marked the program’s fourth straight visit to the NCAA Playoffs and the first NCAA quarterfinal appearance in program history.

He was also named the CIAA Coach of the Year and AFCA Super Region II Coach of the Year. Wilson has an 89-45 overall record with a total of four NCAA playoff appearances along with seven CIAA Northern Division titles and three CIAA championships.  He has also led them to six CIAA Championship Game appearances.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of Wilson’s journey is that he is bringing unprecedented success to a program that faces a constant financial struggle to compete with the elite teams in NCAA Division II.  Bowie State has tight restrictions on recruiting because their budget prohibits them from aggressively recruiting out-of-state players.  They aren’t able to offer the full complement of 36 full scholarships and rely on aggressive recruiting and partial financial support to their athletes.

“I have worked alongside Coach Wilson for seven good years strategically planning to improve the functionality and performance of the Bulldog football program. This honor is well earned and well deserved,” said BSU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Clyde Doughty.

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BALTIMORE – The Coppin State University department of athletics mourns the passing of former Eagle baseball coach Reginald (Reggie) E. Smith. Smith battled with illness for two years and transitioned on December 30, 2021.

Smith was Coppin’s head baseball coach from 1984-1987 achieving an overall record of 46-106-1. He helped transition Coppin from NAIA to Division I. His best season with Coppin was the 1985 season and the Eagles went 17-28. In 1986, Coppin’s baseball team participated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and beat Princeton as a Division I institution and the Eagles were runner-up in the MEAC tournament that season.

“Coach Reggie Smith is a Baltimore City Baseball Ambassador and I’m fortunate to have known him for over four decades,” said head baseball coach Sherman Reed. “Coach Smith and his Family touched so many with his pioneering baseball programs originating in Baltimore City in the 70’s and 80’s when opportunities for black kids playing organized baseball was practically non-existent. He was a walking encyclopedia on Baltimore Baseball and for advancing opportunities for Baltimore Youths through his Cardinals Baseball Organization.”

“I’ll miss our long colorful discussions on the state of Baltimore Baseball. I’d always leave those discussions more educated and better equipped to face the Game’s Challenges. Our lives mirrored one another through our kids’ sports. Coach Smith and I reconnected years later watching our daughters compete against each other in Rec Basketball leagues, while spending long nights talking about our son’s college careers when they both were playing SWAC Baseball. (Smith at FAMU and Reed, Jr at Southern University). Coach Smith will surely be missed by all in the Baltimore, Maryland Baseball Community.”

In 1984, Reggie took over as head coach of the Coppin State College baseball program. From 1984 to 1987, drawing from his amateur program and the Baltimore area, Coach Smith raised the stature of that program while ushering several high-level players, including those with achievements in NCAA Divisions I and II, such as stolen base individual champion and stolen base team highest percentage, Academic All-Americans, Maryland representative for the inaugural National Olympic Baseball Team Tryouts and MLB professional baseball prospects. Under his tenure he coached Coppin Hall of Famer Jason Booker.

From 1988 to 1992, Reggie took positions serving as pitching coach then head coach for other colleges, returning to Coppin as pitching coach for the 1996-1997 season. After leaving the college ranks, Coach Smith continued to run the Presstman Cardinals and in the early 2000s began to involve his summer program in the Baltimore Orioles’ division of Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program, sponsored by Major League Baseball. After successful participation in the Baltimore RBI, Coach Smith was appointed to manage their Junior and Senior Allstar teams.

Smith is survived by former wife Cheryl Smith, son Rian Smith(Mervice) who he learned from and played for, and daughter Alisha Sepulveda (John) and one grandchild. He is also survived by brothers and a sister: Robert, Jr., Roland, Rodney, Ray, and Laverne, all of whom participated in the Presstman Cardinal Amateur Baseball Club.

Funeral arrangements have been made for January 8 at the March Life Tribute Center in Randallstown, Maryland. Any donations can be sent by Thursday, January 6 to Ikkeia Harrell-Torry at randallstown@marchfh.com.

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By Mark F. Gray
Special to the AFRO

Bowie State football’s greatest season in school history ended on Dec. 4 with a lopsided loss to one of the nation’s elite Division II football programs in the quarterfinals of the national playoffs.

However, the 10th ranked Bulldogs’ 41-17 loss to No. 5 Valdosta State, deep in the heart of Georgia, is a reminder of how much closer the program is to making a deeper national championship with adequate support from the university.  BSU ended the season with a 12-2 record with their two losses coming versus Division I Delaware State and a national power at their level.

VSU opened a 14-0 lead over the Bulldogs – who were built on defense and ball control – in the first quarter.  Once BSU fell behind their season-long game plan changed and forced the offense outside it’s comfort zone and the onslaught began from there.  Two early touchdowns that were yielded by the Bulldogs’ vulnerable secondary opened the floodgates that would ultimately season their fate.

 The Blazers scored their first touchdown barely three minutes after kickoff on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Ivory Durham to Brian Saunds and they never trailed. VSU jumped out to a 14-0 lead over the Bulldogs  when Durham connected with Lio’undre Gallimore with a 39-yard strike  with 6:19 left in the quarter.

By then the game became an inevitability.

Bowie State’s defense took a beatdown the likes of which they hadn’t faced at any point this season. The Bulldogs were bludgeoned for 533-yards of total offense.  Their often porous secondary allowed Durham to pass for 348 yards and the run defense gave up another 185 on the ground. 

Meanwhile, the Valdosta State defense put the clamps on the BSU offense and never allowed them to get into a rhythm.  BSU was held to 221 yards of total offense with only 72 rushing yards.

Senior quarterback Ja’rome Johnson finished his Bowie State career by finishing 14-of-28 passing for 149-yards and two touchdowns while senior running back Calil Wilkins was held to a respectable 62-rushing yards on 15 carries. Senior Isaiah Rainey-Nix made only three catches for 50-yards and a touchdown as the final gun went off to close their careers.

They were manhandled by a team with a full complement of scholarship athletes, which allows a larger pool of players to recruit from while BSU is confined to seeking players mostly from Prince George’s County, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.  Nonetheless, it underscored the brilliance of head coach Damon Williams and his staff to turn the once moribound program into a national contender.

Wilson and his staff have done a masterful job with limited resources and their quest to ultimately take a commitment from Bowie State to finalize a stimulus package for the Bulldogs’ football program- two giant steps forward to win the national championship.

In a time where Historically Black Colleges and Universities are in the spotlight athletically, it would seem to be in the best interest of the program for BSU to make an athletic scholarship investment into the football program. The best recruiting tool for an entire university are consistent, compliant, contending, national championship-caliber athletic programs.  

College teams that win and play on national TV have greater general student body enrollments and do a better job at retaining students as well. BSU’s athletic department has done as much as it can with a shoestring budget to bring shine to the Prince George’s County campus with their football program.  

Now is the time for the administration to step up and be willing to step up and add some additional financial support to get over the hump that would be a big win for the entire university.

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By Mark F. Gray
Special to the AFRO

Apparently the football gods have spoken and now the nation knows they play great Division II football at the oldest HBCU in Maryland.

The Bowie State Bulldogs advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs for the first time in school history with a 13-10 victory over Newberry College Saturday afternoon at Bulldogs Stadium.  Now they face an uphill task of beating No. 5 ranked Valdosta (GA) State in the Super Region 2 championship against one of the blue bloods of this division. 

 Bowie State, who entered the game ranked No. 10 in the nation, continues to hang their hat on defense. Once again the Bulldogs were stifling against a high octane offense in a pressure game. In a game where yards were hard to come by, they held Newberry to 214 yards of total offense.  However, the Bulldogs were by no means a juggernaut with the ball. 

 With quarterback Ja’Rome Johnson nursing an ankle injury, Newberry paid special attention to the BSU ground attack and put the clamps on it. The Bulldogs were limited to a season-low 20 yards rushing. However, when Johnson needed to make plays in the passing game he did just that.  Johnson, a Washington D.C., native completed 15 passes for 244 yards, while the defense was holding Newberry to 84.    

Valdosta State is a perennial national championship contender with a tremendous tradition in Division II football.  They are a four time national champion who last won the big prize in 2018.  The Blazers entered this year’s NCAA Playoffs as co-champions of the the Gulf South Conference title with their 66-35 win over West Georgia, who they lost to 61-42 in the season finale, which saw them share the conference championship. This weekend’s game versus Bowie State will be their tenth appearance in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals and they now have a 18-7 all-time record in the postseason when playing at home in Valdosta. With last weekend’s victory the Blazers improved to 27-13 all-time in the NCAA playoffs.  

No matter the outcome, this historic milestone validates BSU’s play among the elite teams in the smaller division of college football. It has raised their national profile, though it remains to be seen what extent that impacts the program. The Bulldogs have been the dominant team in a conference that’s known for basketball, while the roster is composed of kids who are primarily from their community.

While the challenge may be enormous, the opportunity is just as great for a program that is no longer the best kept secret amongst athletic programs in the State. Bowie State has brand value and name recognition locally and as the talent has increased in the region, so has the caliber of the recruiting.

The intangibles will play heavily into whether Bowie State can play into the national semifinal round of this year’s playoffs.  Valdosta is by no means Atlanta and there won’t be too many welcoming faces in south Georgia. The campus is just over 100 miles away from Brunswick, where three White men were convicted of murder in the death Ahmad Arbery.

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By Gregory Smith, Howard University News Service

WASHINGTON – They are a diverse bunch.

Some are just eligible to vote. Many are not old enough to legally drink, while others are full-grown adults working on graduate degrees.

Their hometowns and backgrounds are a microcosm of America and beyond — East Lansing, Michigan; Chesapeake, Virginia; York, Pennsylvania; Ellicott City, Maryland; Pearland, Texas; West Palm Beach, Florida; Memphis. 

Four are from Chicago with a metro population of eight million people and one is from Suwanee, Georgia with just 16,000 souls.

Another calls home tiny Lugazi, Uganda, whose sports claim to fame is that in In 2012 its Little League baseball team qualified for the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

They have been drawn together to Howard University by three things; first, their love of golf, seven-time NBA All-Star Stephen Curry’s money and finally, to answer a question the sports world has been asking since 2019 when it was announced that Curry had donated $6 million over six years to Howard to create a golf program at a university that hadn’t competed in the sport in nearly 50 years.

Can a seed planted and cultivated at a historically black university over time \grow into a full-blown, competitive NCAA Division 1 program in an athletic endeavor that many don’t even consider a sport, even after Tiger Woods? 

So far, the answer seems to be yes.

The team has equipment, uniforms, camaraderie, commitment, and talent and two golf teams, eight women on one and seven men on the other. So far, they already have posted wins and highly respectable first-year record in a sport season burdened by the coronavirus pandemic.

Additionally, the university raised an additional $3 million in July to support the program during its Bison at the Beach Golf Classic at Pebble Beach, California, golf course, the nation’s number one public golf course.

Curry made the commitment after then Howard student Otis Ferguson IV approached about the idea of a Howard golf program while Curry was screening a film he had made at Howard.

To begin the program, the university’s first step was to find an experienced leader who could build a program. 

They hired Sam Puryear. 

At Michigan State, Puryear became the first African-American head coach in a power five conference. He produced one national championship, one Big Ten championship, two coach of the year awards.

Prior to Michigan State, Puryear was an assistant coach at Stanford University, an intense program that attracted world-wide attention during Tiger Woods’ tenure.

Puryear said he expects to bring the winning pedigree to Howard

“My standards are the exact same,” Puryear said. “We want to find the best student athletes with the resources that we have available. Dealing with a champion like Curry could help us build something and go after the best players.” 

Puryear is no stranger to HBCU golf. He graduated in 1992 from Tennessee State University where he was captain of the golf team. The team was led by Catana Starks, the first woman to coach a men’s golf program at the highest collegiate level. 

“We want to build something that no one has seen,” Puryear said. “HBCU golf is getting stronger and better. I don’t feel pressured (by Curry or Howard) to win. All of the pressure that I have, I put on myself.” 

Howard’s men’s and women’s golf team could have the same success as previous teams he has coached, Puryear said, which is why he reached out for Everett Whiten Jr. 

Everett Whiten Jr., a junior majoring in marketing, received a call from Puryear just two days after he found out Hampton University discontinued their golf program due to budget cuts caused my COVID-19. 

“We had only been home for a few days because of the pandemic when my coach called and said that the program had been cut,” said Whiten of Chesapeake, Virginia. 

Whiten played multiple sports until 12 years old. His dad played golf and wanted him to play as well, but basketball had his heart. Whitten gave golf a chance in middle school and hasn’t looked back. 

Since joining the university’s golf team, Whiten has finished in the top 10 at the Georgetown Invitational, top 15 at the Howard Invitational and won the Towson Invitational. 

He credits much of his success to Puryear.

“Coach Sam is special,” he said. “At Hampton, I had a coach that went through the motion. Coach talks to us like we are one of his kids. We are really building a good culture for the next generation and I’m glad to be a part of it.” 

Whiten got a chance to play golf with Stephen Curry during a fundraising event for the program. 

“He’s a normal guy,” he said. “He came up to me and made a simple conversion like he was a Howard student himself. It’s exciting to see that he is invested into the program and not just financially.”

Puryear said he didn’t have much time to recruit after initially taking over the program, so during the recruiting process he targeted student athletes who were in the transfer portal. 

Raquel Simpson, a sophomore majoring in political science from Chicago, said that she was committed to Hampton University, but had to look elsewhere once the golf program was cut due to the pandemic.

“Coach reached out to my parents, because he heard about what happened at Hampton,” Simpson said. 

 Simpson did not qualify to play in any tournaments this fall. 

“I didn’t play as well as I hoped,” she said.” The regiment that coach has us on and the workouts with our trainer has me feeling prepared for the spring season.” 

To get Simpson on track, she works out three days a week with the athletic trainer. 

“On Tuesdays we work on lower body, Wednesdays is upper body, and Thursday is full body,” she said. “Other days we are expected to go to Woodmont Country Club, Argyle Country Club, or Woodmore Country Club to practice actual golf.” 

Puryear said Curry’s financial support for the program attracted him to the head coaching job. Puryear said he has since found Curry is personally really invested into the program. 

“The biggest thing is the support that Curry shows,” he said. “We have talked many times. He is a big supporter of the kids and actually wants them to play well.” 

Justin Green, a first-year business management major, said golf is the main reason he came to Howard. The university wasn’t on his radar until he saw the donation from Curry, he said. 

“My dad’s friend went to school with coach Puryear and that’s how we connected,” Green said. “I eventually came on a visit and continued to send my tournament result to him.” 

Green has qualified and played in four of the five tournaments this season. He attributes his early success to hard work, the coach and his teammates. 

“I use the donations from Curry as an opportunity,” he said. “We are really blessed because the coach has a lot of experience. He knows how to shape great golfers.” 

In two seasons Puryear has had three athletes win an event. 

Kendall Jackson, a first-year finance major from Pearland, Texas, said that she reached out to Puryear after learning about the donation from Curry. 

Jackson said she has been playing golf since she was 6 years old and has always wanted to play at the collegiate level. In middle school, Jackson started going to the golf course every day and began playing in tournaments. 

“I have always wanted to play golf at a HBCU,” she said. 

Being the only child, Jackson was hesitant about attending Howard, because she wanted to stay closer to home.

After talking to Puryear and meeting some of her teammates, she was sold, she said. Jackson said that there is a small ounce of pressure with all the eyes on the program. 

“I feel pressured slightly, but it’s more of a responsibility to be good,” she said. “The chemistry between us is good. We live together, have team bonding outside of golf, and support one another.”

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Highlighted by a season-opening trip to Cal Baptist University and a record 31 home games, the Coppin State baseball team released its 2022 season schedule on Monday afternoon.  The Eagles will also host Saint Peter’s, Cornell, Albany, Georgetown and Mount St. Mary’s during non-conference play.

“We are pleased to have a school record 31 home contests this spring,” said Head Coach Sherman Reed. “Being home the majority of the spring, will allow our student-athletes more time to continue the academic excellence we have become known for. Our guys tend to play well in the cozy confines of Joe Cannon Stadium as our pre-covid home winning percentage of .720 indicates.”

Coppin opens the season on Feb. 18-20 for a three-game series against the Lancers who won 40 games last season.  Following the trip across country, the Eagles will travel to face Navy before a seven-game homestand featuring a four-game series against Saint Peter’s on Feb. 25-27 and three games against Cornell on March 5-6.

The Eagles host a three-game weekend series against Albany on March 12-13 which is sandwiched by midweek trips to George Washington (Mar. 9) and George Mason (Mar. 15) before opening MEAC play at Joe Cannon Stadium against Delaware State on March 18-20.

Playing home-and-home series with the Navy & Gold are the Hoyas and The Mount with home dates set for March 23 and April 27, respectively.  Coppin will also travel again to Navy on March 30 and play at Towson on May 4.

MEAC play will feature 36 games with Coppin playing each conference rival 12 times.  Coppin will host a pair of four-game series against the Hornets and Maryland Eastern Shore while visiting Norfolk State for eight games.

Five All-MEAC performers return from last season’s squad, all of whom were either freshman or sophomores in 2021.  Coppin also welcomes back Marcos Castillo who rejoins a crowded outfield that featured All-MEAC selections Darren Hagan and Jordan Hamberg as well as last season’s leading hitter Wellington Balsley. Also returning are First Team catcher Mike Dorcean, Second Team first baseman Sebastien Sarabia and Third Team infielder Grant Williams.

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By J.J. McQueen, Special to the AFRO

For the fourth straight year, Bowie State played host to a Division II college playoff game. As they welcomed to town Lenoir-Rhyne who entered Bulldog country with a record of 8-2.

Bowie State jumped out to an early lead behind quarterback Ja’rome Johnson who rushed for a 65-yard touchdown. Much to be expected, Lenoir-Rhyne put up a sound fight after having traveled from the southern mountain edge of North Carolina. With the defense building a turnover wall, and the offense capitalizing on opportunity after opportunity; the Bowie State Bulldogs were able to pull-off a 31-10 victory, and advance to the next round in CIAA playoffs.

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By Mark F. Gray
Special to the AFRO

For nearly two years Bowie State had been waiting to defend their back to back CIAA Football Championships thanks to the pandemic.  The Bulldogs weren’t flawless, but they were efficient in winning the title by completing an undefeated conference championship season with a 17-7 win over Fayetteville State to win their third consecutive CIAA title in Salem, VA.

The Bulldogs will face Lenoir Rhyne at Bulldog Stadium Saturday afternoon at 1pm in Bowie as they host a NCAA Playoff game for the second consecutive year that a full season was played.  Last year there was no CIAA intercollegiate athletic competition.  This was also the third straight time that Fayetteville State has fallen to Bowie State in the CIAA Championship Game.

Bowie State is  just the fifth school in history to three-peat and just the second school remaining to do so within the CIAA.  This was the crescendo in an era of unprecedented excellence in school history.  For a program that can’t recruit athletes from outside the DMV because of the cost for out-of-state students, the Bulldogs, under coach Damon Wilson, continue to shine.

“Bowie State is no longer a secret anymore,” said coach Damon Wilson.  “We aren’t an afterthought anymore, we are now a destination for student-athletes from the area and now they are seeking us out.” 

From the outset it was clear that this year’s Bulldogs, many of whom only know championship success, were the more poised team.  In their championship moment BSU made enough plays to claim the trophy.  While the performance wasn’t spectacular, it was efficient enough to bring the Bob Moorman Trophy back to Prince George’s County.

Senior running back Calil Wilkins was named Most Valuable Player after rushing for 163-yards. Senior quarterback Ja’rome Johnson completed seven passes for only 99-yards with two touchdowns.  Receivers Victor Olayinka and redshirt sophomore Quron Winder each caught a touchdown pass.

 Defensively, graduate senior Myles Wolfolk terrorized the Broncos and finished with a season-high 11 tackles, while forcing a fumble.  Redshirt sophomore Jonathan Ross added 10 tackles and two sacks.

Bowie State started fast and quickly set the tone for the game on the game’s first offensive series.  By the end of the opening period, they had served notice with a four-play 68-yard drive that concluded with a 10-yard reception touchdown from Johnson to Winder.

BSU scored again with under 50 seconds left in the first quarter.  Johnson connected with Olayinka for a nine-yard reception score that gave the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead heading into the second quarter, which for all intents and purposes, was game, set, match.

The Broncos put themselves in a potential rally when Braxton Knotts scored on a 26-yard reception to cut the Bulldogs lead 14-7 heading into the fourth quarter. However, Fayetteville State couldn’t get any closer.

From the beginning of the season, it was clear that Bowie State was built for more than just winning a CIAA Championship.  The Bulldogs play fast and physically offensively and defensively. They have been the standard bearer in the conference for the length of an entire freshman class. 

All that remains is to take advantage of the home seeding and ride that momentum into a deep run in the playoffs.

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Submitted by, Airis Thomas, Asst. Director of Athletic Communications

BALTIMORE- The Coppin State Women’s Volleyball program (15-11, 9-5) ended the regular season with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-21) sweep of crosstown rival Morgan State (5-23. 3-11) Friday night.  The Lady Eagles were led by Paola Caten and Miajavon Coleman with 10 and 9 kills respectively while Ashley Roman led the team with 14 digs.  The match also featured the unveiling of the 2020 MEAC Northern Division Championship banner.

Coppin scored fast and often as the Eagles jumped to a quick 5-1 lead in the first set forcing Morgan to call a timeout three minutes into the match.  Coppin continued dominating the set getting three service aces and 10 kills.  Morgan struggled with six attack errors and four service errors to give Coppin a comfortable buffer.  The Eagles finished the first set with a commanding 25-18 score.

The Eagles continued right where they left off in set two.  Hitting a .500 hitting percentage to compared to Morgan’s .188.  With both teams knotted at 7-7, the Eagles went on an 8-3 run capped by a Coleman kill from Andrea Tsvetanova.  Morgan state closed the gap to 15-13, but Coppin went on another scoring frenzy adding another seven points with a Caten kill from Ashley Roman.  Coppin closed out the second set 25-18.

Morgan showed it’s teeth the third and final set but the Eagles didn’t bend.  Bears jumped to a 5-2 lead and later expanded the lead to 8-4.  Trailing 10-7, the Eagles began a rally behind a Ahzi Colleman kill from Kareemah Hopkins.  The 8-3 run in favor of the Coppin had the Lady Eagles now ahead 15-13.  Both teams would battle back and forth as the score was again knotted at 18 apiece, before Coppin closed things out with a 7-3 run which included a service ace by Roman.  The Lady Eagles won the final set 25-21.

Coppin returns to action next Friday for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Volleyball Tournament hosted by Howard University.  As the likely three seed, The Lady Eagles will most likely play the 8pm nightcap on November 19.

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Submitted by Airis Thomas, Asst. Director of Athletic Communications

HARTFORD, CONN. – After a strong first half, Coppin State University Men’s Basketball team falls to No. 24/23 UConn Saturday afternoon inside Gampel Pavilion. The Eagles move to 0-4 while the Huskies improve to 2-0 season.

Coppin State (0-4) broke out to a 10-6 lead over UConn in the opening minutes, but a 14-0 run by the Huskies gave them the lead.

Alex Rojas and Tyree Corbett lead the eagles with nine points each. Rojas also led the team in rebounds with five as well as a team high in three-point field goal makes, hitting three of six from beyond the arc. Nendah Tarke also contributes eight points, four rebounds, and a team high of two steals. Jesse Zarzuela led all Coppin players in assists, with three along with six points.

Coppin starts the first half strong, with eight consecutive points, including a layup by Jesse Zarzuela, and back-to-back threes by Tarke and Rojas. Nendah Tarke gets hot in the first half as he hit 2-for-2 from beyond the arch. Justin Steers comes off the bench and kept the wheels turning with a steal which led to a jumper and two made free-throws by Tarke.

Coppin outshot the Huskies in the first half from beyond the arc, with a whopping 36% in correlation to UConn’s 29%.

Even though the Eagles scored first in the second half, the Huskies exploded on an 11-3 run to start the second half to hike the lead to 57-31, leaving little doubt about the outcome. The Eagles threw the first punch, with a made three by Alex Rojas. Tyree Corbett dominated the second half, where he scored seven of his nine points, and shot 4-of-6 from the free-throw line.

Coppin State plays UNCG Monday, November 15 at 7 p.m. inside the Fleming Gymnasium.

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By Alexis Williams, NewsVision reporter

The Howard University Bison Men’s Basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season after defeating the Regent Royals inside Burr Gymnasium on Wednesday, November 10. This is the best start of the season for the men since 2018. NewsVision reporter Alex Williams was there.

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Submitted by Airis Thomas, Coppin State Athletics Communications

CHICAGO- Coppin State’s men’s basketball team drops its season opener to Loyola Chicago Tuesday night at Gentile Arena. After falling to the Eagles in 2019, the Ramblers defeated Coppin 103-45.

Coppin State’s Jesse Zarzuela led all Eagles in points with eight while Nendah Tarke, Tyree Corbett, and Mike Hood had seven points apiece. Nathaniel Stokes led the team in rebounds with six, while Sita Corbett had five. CSU saw its bench score 21 points. Kyle Cardaci and Daniel Titus recorded two assists each.

The Ramblers had six players scoring in double figures and outscored the Eagles early in the first half and never looked back.  The Eagles physicality is what kept them in the game, as they drew nine fouls placing them in an early bonus.  Coppin shot 74-percent from the free-throw line, in correlation to Loyola’s 64 percent from the line.

Loyola opened up the game on a 14-2 run before Zaruela scored for the Eagles. The Ramblers went on another scoring run to go up 30-3 before a layup in the paint by Mike Hood gave the Eagles five points. Free throws from Kyle Cardaci and Justin Steers gave CSU a score of 40-9. A huge three from Mike Hood sparked the Eagles as they scored six more points to go into the half.

Down 35, CSU started the second half strong, outscoring Loyola 16-12. Coppin’s momentum in the second half was deflated by a 24-point Loyola run, including two threes by Ryan Schwieger and three layups by Ramblers leading scorer Aher Uguak.

Coppin State stays in Chicago to face DePaul tomorrow, November 10 inside the Wintrust Arena. Jump ball is slated for 9 pm ET.

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PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Coppin State’s volleyball team clinched its second-straight winning season with a 3-1 (24-26, 25-17, 25-10, 25-9) victory at Maryland Eastern Shore on Friday night at Hytche Center.  With the win, the Eagles improve to 14-10 overall and 8-4 in the MEAC while the Hawks fall to 11-12 on the year and 6-6 in league play.

Paola Caten and Miajavon Coleman had 15 kills apiece while combining to hit .369 from their outside positions.  Caten notched a double-double with 12 digs and made just four errors on 29 swings to hit .379 while Coleman swung at a .361 clip.

Chudear Tut also impressed with ten kills on .381 hitting as Hope Casel tallied a season-high eight kills on a .350 h7itting percentage.

Andrea Tsvetanova also picked up a double-double, recording 40 assists and ten digs while adding four aces on the offensive end.  Tsvetanova led Coppin to a .320 hitting percentage, while the defense, led by Ashley Roman’s match-high 20 digs, held the Hawks to .059 hitting. Ahzhi Coleman led all players with three blocks.

Despite leading 23-20 in the opening set, CSU came up short as UMES closed the frame on a 6-1 run.  A kill by Miajavon Coleman gave the Eagles a 24-22 advantage but the Hawks scored the next four points to take the opener.

Coppin used a 5-0 run in the early stages of the second set to open a 9-5 lead thanks to kills from Coleman and Tut along with an Aislynn Weaver ace.  UMES rallied to tie the score at 10-10 but the Eagles scored another five-straight and never looked back.

The Eagles started the third on a 7-1 run as Caten and Casel recorded two kills apiece. A 5-0 run late in the set sealed it for Coppin with Casel and Tut recording a kill and a block apiece. Coleman closed the set with a pair of kills.

Clinging to a 7-6 lead in the fourth, CSU went on an 8-1 run as Rebekka Hauri picked up back-to-back aces.  Following a UMES kill, Coppin scored another five-straight on a kill by Tut and four Hawks errors. The hosts scored just two more points the rest of the way with the Navy & Gold scoring ten of the final 11 points.

CSU closes out the regular season with home matches against Delaware State on November 7 at 3 pm, followed by Morgan State on November 12 at 7 pm.

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BALTIMORE– Coppin State volleyball’s Miajavon Coleman and Andrea Tsvetanova notched double-doubles and Paola Caten had a match-high 18 kills to lead the Eagles to a 3-1 (25-20, 29-31, 25-17, 25-17) win over Norfolk State on Friday night inside the PEC Arena. The Eagles move to 13-9 (7-3 MEAC) while the Spartans fall to 7-14 (3-7 MEAC).

A senior from San Antonio, Texas Coleman recorded 16 kills, 11 digs and two blocks while hitting an impressive .273. Caten just missed a double-double with eight digs but added four blocks on the defensive end. Chudear Tut had nine kills and five blocks on a .444 hitting percentage and Hope Casel finished with a season-high seven kills.

Tsvetanova recorded 39 assists and 12 digs along with a team-high five aces while helping Coppin outhit Norfolk, .190 to .067. Ashley Roman led all players with 25 digs.

The Eagles opened the first set on a 4-0 scoring run before the Spartans scored two points back-to-back. Two more scoring runs of 5-0 and 4-0 helped seal the deal for the Eagles as they took set one, 25-20.

A marathon second set eventually went to the Spartans as they rallied from a 13-7 deficit to take a 15-14 lead. NSU led by as many as 23-19 but Coppin went on a 6-1 run thanks to three kills by Caten to go up 25-24. Both teams had a pair of set-points but NSU came away with the win after a pair of CSU errors.

The Eagles opened set three on a 2-0 scoring run and the Spartans came within one before the Eagles went on a 9-4 scoring run. The Spartans scored three unanswered points, but the Eagles already had control over the set winning 25-17 and going up in the match, 2-1.

Coppin opened the fourth set with another scoring run including a kill by Miajavon Coleman to take a 3-0 lead. The Spartans answered back with a 4-0 run. After trailing 7-6, the Eagles went on an 8-2 scoring run and then a 4-0 run to the seal the match.

The Eagles are back in action on Sunday, October 31 at Howard inside Burr Gymnasium. First serve is slated for 1 p.m.

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BALTIMORE – Miajavon Coleman and Paola Caten notched double-doubles to lead the Coppin State volleyball team to a pivotal, 3-1 (25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 25-21) victory over N.C. Central on Sunday afternoon at Ron ‘Fang’ Mitchell Court inside PEC Arena.  With the victory, Coppin improves to 12-9 overall and 6-3 in the MEAC while N.C. Central falls to 6-12 on the year with a 5-4 mark in league play.

A senior from San Antonio, Texas, Coleman notched a match-high 19 kills to go with 15 digs while adding an ace and three blocks. Caten recorded 13 kills with just one error on 31 swings to hit .387 and was credited with 13 digs and a pair of aces.

Chudear Tut also had herself a day, recording nine kills on a .500 hitting percentage while tallying a team-high six blocks.  Also, on the offensive end, Ahzhi Coleman recorded six kills, followed by Kareemah Hopkins and Hope Casel with four apiece.

Andrea Tsvetanova and Hopkins split time at setter and combined for 47 assists with Tsvetanova recording 24, just one more than Hopkins. The duo led CSU to a .213 hitting percentage compared to just .193 for Central.

Elsewhere on the defensive end, Ashley Roman recorded a match-high 18 digs while Aislynn Weaver added seven more.  On the block, Ahzhi Coleman recorded four blocks while Casel and Jordan Celestine added two more.

With the opening set tied at 15-15, Coppin went on a 6-1 run with two kills and a block from Tut before Hopkins finished off the stretch with a kill. N.C Central did not go away as it answered with a fellow 6-1 run to tie the score at 22-22. After trading points, CSU finished off the set with a kill by Miajavon Coleman, followed by a block by the duo of Celestine and Tut.

CSU led 21-17 in the second set but failed to capitalize as the visitors scored five of the next six points to take a 24-23 advantage. Caten tied it up with a kill, but Central got a kill and a CSU error allowed Central to tie the match at a set apiece despite a .324 hitting percentage by the hosts.

Central retook a 22-21 lead in the third set after several ties and lead changes, but Coppin scored the final four points of the set to win, 25-21.  Tut had a pair of kills in the closing points to follow a Hopkins kill before Coppin forced a Central error.

The Navy & Gold had control of the fourth and final set early on and extended its advantage to 21-14 with a 5-0 run. Once again, Central did not go away and pulled to within 23-21, but Miajavon Coleman stopped the rally with a kill and Central recorded an error as Coppin took the match.

Coppin returns to the hardwood on Friday, October 29 at 6 pm when it hosts Norfolk State for Halloween Costume Night.

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BALTIMORE – After a pair of games to open the Coppin State Baseball Navy/Gold Fall Series, both teams have won a game.  Team Gold picked up the victory in the opening game, 7-4 last Wednesday while Team Navy tied the series with a 5-4 win in Game Two on Friday.

Game 1

Team Gold Offensive Stars

• Freshman Mike Edwards and senior Justin Oakley combined for three RBI.
• Edwards hit a long, towering double to left center to score freshman Landen Argabright who singled in Gold’s first run.
• Oakley singled through the middle to score both Edwards and freshman Eimir Perez who had a pair of singles.

Team Gold Pitching Stars

• Sophomore Giovanni Canales got the win, completing two scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and no walks.
• Sophomore Tim Ruffino earned the save in relief.

Team Navy Offensive Stars

• Senior Marcos Castillo led Navy by going 2-for-3 with three RBI.  His three-run blast to straight away left field tied the score at 3-3 in the third inning.
• Junior Corey Miley drove in Jordan Hamberg with a single after Hamberg doubled to the gap in left center to give Navy a brief 4-3 lead in the fifth.
• Sophomore Eddie Javier, Jr., had the only other hit for Navy.

Team Navy Pitching Stars

• Freshman Marcos Herrand threw two dominant scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
• Freshman Justin Johnson also completed a pair of innings and allowed no earned runs.

Game 2

Team Navy Offensive Stars

• Senior Marcos Castillo continued his hot hitting by going 2-for-3 with two RBI and scored the team’s first run in the opening inning.  His single in the second inning scored sophomore Darren Hagan who singled, and sophomore Sebastien Sarabia who reached on an error.
• Sophomore Mike Dorcean also went 2-for-3.
• Hagan made his fall debut and chipped in with a 2-for-2 performance, scoring a run and delivering with an RBI double to score junior Corey Miley.
• Junior Wellington Balsley went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in the first, scoring Castillo for the team’s first run of the game.

Team Navy Pitching Stars

• Sophomore Jordan Hamberg pitched two innings, allowing no earned runs on one hit while striking out four.
• Sophomore Luke Baker gave up just one run on one hit with a strikeout in his two innings on the mound.

Team Gold Offensive Stars

• Freshman Eimir Perez went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and an RBI double.  His two-base knock drove in freshman Josh Hankins who drew a walk just prior.
• Junior Brian Nicolas also went 2-for-3, recording a triple and scoring a run on sophomore Mario Cuevas’ single to right.

The next Navy & Gold game is scheduled for Friday, October 8 at Joe Cannon Stadium.  First pitch is slated for 2:30 pm.

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BALTIMORE – Coppin State’s volleyball team swept a MEAC matchup with archrival Morgan State, 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 27-25) on Friday night at the Bears’ Hill Field House.  The Eagles improve to 8-7 overall and 2-1 in league play while Morgan falls to 3-14 on the year along with a 1-2 mark in the MEAC.as

Paola Caten led Coppin with 12 kills on .290 hitting and added five digs and two aces while Miajavon Coleman added nine kills and seven digs.  Middle hitters Ahzhi Coleman and Jordan Celestine pitched in with six kills apiece and Hope Casel finished with four more.

Andrea Tsvetanova led all players with 34 assists as Coppin outhit Morgan, .180 to .160, and Ashley Roman was credited with a match-high 14 digs. Roman passed both Glorines Rosado and Andrea McGant on CSU’s all-time digs list and now stands second all-time with 1,094 career digs.

As expected in a rivalry match, the opening set was back-and-forth for most of the period.  Trailing, 18-17, Miajavon Coleman tied it up with a kill to start a 5-0 run, which she also finished with a kill.  Morgan pulled to within 23-21 after a pair of CSU errors but Caten and Casel put it away with a pair of kills.

The Eagles never trailed in the second set as they opened it  on a 5-1 run with kills by Caten and Ahzhi Coleman. Morgan got no closer than, 5-3 as the Eagles continued to slowly pull away. Coppin sealed the set with four of the last six points, featuring an ace and a kill by Caten and kills by both Ahzhi Coleman and Miajavon Coleman.

Coppin looked like it was running away with it early in the third set, but Morgan fought back to tie it up at 15-15 and eventually held a 21-18 lead. Kills from Caten and Miajavon Coleman cut the deficit to 21-20 but the Bears answered with two-straight points to extend their advantage back to 23-20. Coleman responded with a kill and forced an error to make the score 23-22, prompting a MSU timeout. Coppin served an error following the stoppage, giving Morgan a set-point, but the Coleman sisters combined on a block to tie the set at 24-24.

Miajavon Coleman gave CSU back the lead at 25-24 with a kill, but Morgan tied it up once again with a kill.  The Eagles defense was able to force back-to-back errors to seal the match and Coppin swept Morgan for the second-straight match.

CSU closes its four-game road trip to open MEAC play as it travels to Norfolk State on Friday, October 8 for a 6 pm start.  The Eagles will host Howard at 1 pm on Sunday, October 10 before welcoming Maryland Eastern Shore for Pink Night on Friday, October 15 at 6 pm.

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Scoring Summary (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

MORGAN STATE (1-3) vs. North Carolina A&T (3-1) 

Date: Sep 22, 2018 • Site: Greensboro, N.C. • Stadium: BB&T Stadium 

Attendance: 15909 

Qtr Time Scoring Play V-H 2nd 09:45 NCAT – HILL,Leroy 23 yd pass from CARTER,Kylil (RAYNARD,Lamar pass failed), 2-33 0:40 0 – 6 05:32 MSU – HARRIS,DeAndre 10 yd run (RAYA,Alex kick), 9-65 4:13 7 – 6 3rd 07:56 MSU – RAYA,Alex 40 yd field goal, 7-32 5:29 10 – 6 02:24 NCAT – CARTWRIGHT,M. 19 yd run (RUIZ,Noel kick), 5-31 1:14 10 – 13 4th 09:18 MSU – RAYA,Alex 51 yd field goal, 11-40 4:32 13 – 13 00:00 MSU – RAYA,Alex 36 yd field goal, 7-55 3:19 16 – 13 

Kickoff time: 6:06 pm • End of Game: 9:06pm • Total elapsed time: 3:00 Officials: Referee: Jason Soistman; Umpire: Dauntae Finger; Linesman: Tobiah Johnson; Line judge: John Rice; Back judge: Jared Williams; Field judge: Corey Berry; Side judge: Bobby Gallagher; Center judge: Michael Kennedy; 

Temperature: 80 • Wind: NE • Weather: Cloudy

Team Statistics (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

MSU NCAT 

FIRST DOWNS 16 11 

 R u s h i n g 9 5 

 P a s s i n g 6 5 

 P e n a l t y 1 1 

NET YARDS RUSHING 132 120 

 Rushing Attempts 43 26 

 Average Per Rush 3.1 4.6 

 Rushing Touchdowns 1 1 

 Yards Gained Rushing 179 126 

 Yards Lost Rushing 47 6 

NET YARDS PASSING 138 88 

 C o m p l e t i o n s – A t t e m p t s – I n t 10-24-1 11-30-2 

 Average Per Attempt 5.8 2.9 

 Average Per Completion 13.8 8.0 

 Passing Touchdowns 0 1 

TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS 270 208 

 Total offense plays 67 56 

 Average Gain Per Play 4.0 3.7 

Fumbles: Number-Lost 2-1 1-0 

Penalties: Number-Yards 9-67 7-60 

PUNTS-YARDS 8-234 7-266 

 Average Yards Per Punt 29.2 38.0 

 Net Yards Per Punt 25.9 31.9 

 Inside 20 3 2 

 50+ Yards 1 0 

 T o u c h b a c k s 0 0 

 Fair catch 1 0 

KICKOFFS-YARDS 4-260 3-177 

 Average Yards Per Kickoff 65.0 59.0 

 Net Yards Per Kickoff 40.5 52.0 

 T o u c h b a c k s 1 0 

 Fair Catch Yards 0 0 

Punt returns: Number-Yards-TD 5-43-0 4-27-0 

 Average Per Return 8.6 6.8 

Kickoff returns: Number-Yds-TD 2-21-0 3-73-0 

 Average Per Return 10.5 24.3 

Interceptions: Number-Yds-TD 2-0-0 1-0-0 

Fumble Returns: Number-Yds-TD 0-0-0 0-0-0 

Miscellaneous Yards 0 0 

Possession Time 35:56 24:04 

 1st Quarter 8 : 3 7 6 : 2 3 

 2nd Quarter 8 : 2 1 6 : 3 9 

 3rd Quarter 11:07 3 : 5 3 

 4th Quarter 7 : 5 1 7 : 0 9 

Third-Down Conversions 5 of 16 1 of 12 

Fourth-Down Conversions 0 of 0 1 of 2 

Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-2 1-1 

 T o u c h d o w n s 1-2 1-1 

 Field goals 1-2 0-1 

Sacks By: Number-Yards 0-0 1-10 

PAT Kicks 1-1 1-1 

Field Goals 3-3 0-1 

Points off turnovers 0 6

Individual Statistics (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) MORGAN STATE North Carolina A&T 

Rushing No. Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg CHASE,Joshua 16 65 0 65 0 15 4.1 HARRIS,DeAndre 14 85 40 45 1 16 3.2 RIGGINS,Jordan 13 29 7 22 0 7 1.7 Totals 43 179 47 132 1 16 3.1 

Passing C-A-I Yds TD Long Sack HARRIS,DeAndre 10-24-1 138 0 34 1 Totals 10-24-1 138 0 34 1 

Receiving No. Yards TD Long HOLMES,Corey 3 47 0 24 BALDWIN,Daylen 3 38 0 25 MCCRACKEN,Jack 1 34 0 34 GRAVETTE,Xavier 1 9 0 9 WHITE,Deontaye 1 5 0 5 BAILEY,Manasseh 1 5 0 5 Totals 10 138 0 34 

Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 TB O’SHEA,Nicholas 6 210 35.0 57 3 0 TEAM 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 RAYA,Alex 1 24 24.0 24 0 0 Totals 8 234 29.2 57 3 0 

Punt Kickoff Intercept 

Returns No Yds Lg No Yds Lg No Yds Lg 

COFIELD,Jordan 2 24 4 0 0 0 WHITE,Deontaye 1 0 0 0 0 0 GARNES,Carl 1 8 8 0 0 0 LEWIS,Maurice 1 11 11 0 0 0 THORNS,Marquise 0 0 0 1 0 0 SMALL,Donte 0 0 0 1 0 0 Totals 5 43 11 2 21 11 2 0 0 

Field goals Qtr Time Dist Result RAYA,Alex 3rd 07:56 40 yards Good RAYA,Alex 4th 09:18 51 yards Good RAYA,Alex 4th 00:00 36 yards Good 

Kickoffs No. Yards Avg TB OB RAYA,Alex 4 260 65.0 1 0 

All-purpose Run Rcv KR PR IR Total CHASE,Joshua 65 0 0 0 0 65 HOLMES,Corey 0 47 0 0 0 47 HARRIS,DeAndre 45 0 0 0 0 45 COFIELD,Jordan 0 0 21 24 0 45 

Rushing No. Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg CARTWRIGHT,M. 12 59 5 54 1 19 4.5 CARTER,Kylil 5 43 0 43 0 13 8.6 MARTIN,J. 6 15 0 15 0 5 2.5 RAYNARD,Lamar 3 9 1 8 0 8 2.7 Totals 26 126 6 120 1 19 4.6 

Passing C-A-I Yds TD Long Sack CARTER,Kylil 7-15-0 55 1 23 0 RAYNARD,Lamar 4-15-2 33 0 10 0 Totals 11-30-2 88 1 23 0 

Receiving No. Yards TD Long WILSON,Malik 5 22 0 10 BELL,Elijah 2 17 0 10 HUNT,Ron 2 16 0 10 HILL,Leroy 1 23 1 23 LESLIE,Zachary 1 10 0 10 Totals 11 88 1 23 

Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 TB RIVERS,Michael 7 266 38.0 47 2 0 Totals 7 266 38.0 47 2 0 

Punt Kickoff Intercept 

Returns No Yds Lg No Yds Lg No Yds Lg 

BAKER,Kashon 2 -5 1 0 0 0 JONES,Will 1 12 12 0 0 0 BETHEA,Jalon 1 20 0 1 0 0 WILSON,Malik 0 0 0 0 0 0 Totals 4 27 12 3 73 38 1 0 0 

Field goals Qtr Time Dist Result RUIZ,Noel 4th 03:19 43 yards Missed 

Kickoffs No. Yards Avg TB OB RUIZ,Noel 1 60 60.0 0 0 ROGERS,Davis 2 117 58.5 0 1 

All-purpose Run Rcv KR PR IR Total WILSON,Malik 0 22 73 0 0 95 CARTWRIGHT,M. 54 0 0 0 0 54 CARTER,Kylil 43 0 0 0 0 43 HILL,Leroy 0 23 0 0 0 23 

FUMBLES: MORGAN STATE-HARRIS,DeAndre 1-0; COFIELD,Jordan 1-1. North Carolina A&T-RAYNARD,Lamar 1-0.

Defensive Statistics (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

# MORGAN STATE Solo Ast Total Sacks-Yds TFL-Yds FF FR-Yds Int-Yds BrUp Blks QBH 7 WHITAKER,Damare 11 2 12.0 – – – – – – – – 2 GARNES,Carl 4 1 4.5 – 1.0-1 – – – – – – 5 MCBORROUGH,Ian 3 0 3.0 – – – – – – – – 25 JOHNSON,Darius 2 0 2.0 – – – – – 1 – – 31 LEWIS,Maurice 2 0 2.0 – – – – – – – – 99 MCCRAY,Antoine 1 1 1.5 – – – – – – – – 9 AGBELESE,AJ 1 1 1.5 – – – – – – – – 28 KENNEDY,Rico 1 1 1.5 – 1.0-2 – – – 1 – 1 3 HOLMES,Corey 1 0 1.0 – – – – – – – – 51 HILL,Lamont 1 0 1.0 – – – – – – – – 27 WARRIOR,Colby 1 0 1.0 – 1.0-2 – – – – – 1 35 PARKER,Marcus 1 0 1.0 – – – – – – – – 95 CHESLEY,Cameron 1 0 1.0 – – – – – – – – 26 THORNS,Marquise 1 0 1.0 – – – – 1-0 1 – – 46 O’SHEA,Nicholas 1 0 1.0 – – – – – – – – 38 IRVING,Tariq 1 0 1.0 – – – – – 1 – – 55 FATOGOMA,Chris 1 0 1.0 – – – – – – – – 49 WILSON,Bryce 0 1 0.5 – – – – – – – – 52 WASHINGTON,D 0 1 0.5 – – – – – – – – 1 SMALL,Donte 0 0 0.0 – – – – 1-0 – – – Totals 34 8 38.0 0.0-0 3.0-5 0 0-0 2-0 4 0 2 

# North Carolina A&T Solo Ast Total Sacks-Yds TFL-Yds FF FR-Yds Int-Yds BrUp Blks QBH 95 MCKNIGHT,Julian 6 0 6.0 – 3.0-19 – – – – – – 94 CATES,Justin 6 0 6.0 – – – – – – – – 9 WILDER,Antoine 5 1 5.5 – – – – – – – – 34 JONES,Deion 4 2 5.0 – 1.0-3 – – – – – – 33 BETHEA,Jalon 4 2 5.0 – – – – 0-0 – 1 – 40 JOHNSON,Darryl 4 0 4.0 1.0-10 2.0-17 – – – 1 – 1 2 DARDEN,Jamaal 3 1 3.5 – – – – – – – – 29 MCCAIN,Franklin 2 3 3.5 – – – – 1-0 2 – – 54 HOWARD,Kyin 2 1 2.5 – – – – – – – 1 14 ABRAM,Timadre 2 0 2.0 – – – – – – – – 57 BLUE,Markeiss 2 0 2.0 – – – – – – – – 85 PETERSON,T. 2 0 2.0 – – – – – – – – 20 REAMS,Najee 2 0 2.0 – – – – – – – – 52 BRANCH,Michael 1 1 1.5 – – – – – – – – 44 REYNOLDS,Julius 1 1 1.5 – – – – – – – – 8 STUCKEY,Joseph 1 0 1.0 – – – – – – – – 96 BLUE,Sam 0 2 1.0 – – – – – – – 1 99 RICHARDSON,A. 0 0 0.0 – – – 1-0 – – – – 41 SMALLS,Leon 0 0 0.0 – – – – – – – 1 Totals 47 14 54.0 1.0-10 6.0-39 0 1-0 1-0 3 1 4

Drive Chart (By Team) (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

Drive Started Drive Ended Consumed 

Team Qtr Spot Time Obtained Spot Time How lost Pl – Yds TOP MSU 1st M20 15:00 K i c k o f f M25 12:04 P u n t 6 – 5 2:56 MSU M49 09:40 P u n t M41 08:20 P u n t 3 – (8) 1:20 MSU M37 06:47 P u n t N48 05:00 P u n t 4 – 15 1:47 MSU M43 00:00 P u n t N37 03:33 F u m b l e 0 – 20 0:00 MSU M20 03:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n M34 00:51 P u n t 6 – 14 2:34 MSU 2nd M13 13:54 P u n t M16 11:58 P u n t 3 – 3 1:56 MSU M31 10:30 D o w n s M31 10:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n 1 – 0 0:05 MSU M35 09:45 K i c k o f f N00 05:32 *TOUCHDOWN 9 – 65 4:13 . 

MSU M12 02:07 P u n t M13 00:00 End of half 3 – 1 2:07 MSU 3rd M45 13:25 P u n t N23 07:56 *FIELD GOAL 7 – 32 5:29 MSU M35 06:52 I n t e r c e p t i o n M48 03:38 P u n t 5 – 13 3:14 MSU M15 02:24 K i c k o f f M28 00:00 P u n t 5 – 13 2:24 MSU 4th M26 13:50 P u n t N34 09:18 *FIELD GOAL 11 – 40 4:32 MSU M26 03:19 Missed FG N19 00:00 *FIELD GOAL 7 – 55 3:19 . 

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 

MORGAN STATE Qtr Qtr Qtr Qtr Half Half Total Time of possession 08:37 08:21 11:07 07:51 16:58 18:58 35:56 3rd down conversions 1-6 3-4 0-3 1-3 4-10 1-6 5-16 Average field position M31 M22 M31 M26 M27 M29 M28 4th down conversions 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 

Drive Started Drive Ended Consumed 

Team Qtr Spot Time Obtained Spot Time How lost Pl – Yds TOP NCAT 1st N12 12:04 P u n t N20 09:40 P u n t 5 – 8 2:24 NCAT N18 08:20 P u n t N23 06:47 P u n t 3 – 5 1:33 NCAT N14 05:00 P u n t N17 03:33 P u n t 4 – 3 1:27 NCAT N37 03:33 F u m b l e N37 03:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n 1 – 0 0:08 NCAT N40 00:51 P u n t N48 13:54 P u n t 3 – 8 1:57 NCAT 2nd M40 11:58 P u n t M31 10:30 D o w n s 4 – 9 1:28 NCAT M33 10:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n M00 09:45 *TOUCHDOWN 2 – 33 0:40 NCAT N20 05:32 K i c k o f f N49 02:07 P u n t 7 – 29 3:25 NCAT 3rd N15 15:00 K i c k o f f N21 13:25 P u n t 3 – 6 1:35 NCAT N38 07:56 K i c k o f f N32 06:52 I n t e r c e p t i o n 3 – (6) 1:04 NCAT M31 03:38 P u n t M00 02:24 *TOUCHDOWN 5 – 31 1:14 . 

NCAT 4th N36 15:00 P u n t N39 13:50 P u n t 3 – 3 1:10 NCAT N25 09:18 K i c k o f f M26 03:19 Missed FG 14 – 49 5:59 

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 

North Carolina A&T Qtr Qtr Qtr Qtr Half Half Total Time of possession 06:23 06:39 03:53 07:09 13:02 11:02 24:04 3rd down conversions 0-3 1-4 0-3 0-2 1-7 0-5 1-12 

Average field position N24 N49 N40 N30 N33 N36 N34 4th down conversions 0-0 0-1 1-1 0-0 0-1 1-1 1-2

Drive Chart (By Quarter) (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

Drive Started Drive Ended Consumed 

Team Qtr Spot Time Obtained Spot Time How lost Pl – Yds TOP MSU 1st M20 15:00 K i c k o f f M25 12:04 P u n t 6 – 5 2:56 NCAT N12 12:04 P u n t N20 09:40 P u n t 5 – 8 2:24 MSU M49 09:40 P u n t M41 08:20 P u n t 3 – (8) 1:20 NCAT N18 08:20 P u n t N23 06:47 P u n t 3 – 5 1:33 MSU M37 06:47 P u n t N48 05:00 P u n t 4 – 15 1:47 NCAT N14 05:00 P u n t N17 03:33 P u n t 4 – 3 1:27 MSU M43 00:00 P u n t N37 03:33 F u m b l e 0 – 20 0:00 NCAT N37 03:33 F u m b l e N37 03:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n 1 – 0 0:08 MSU M20 03:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n M34 00:51 P u n t 6 – 14 2:34 NCAT N40 00:51 P u n t N48 13:54 P u n t 3 – 8 1:57 MSU 2nd M13 13:54 P u n t M16 11:58 P u n t 3 – 3 1:56 NCAT M40 11:58 P u n t M31 10:30 D o w n s 4 – 9 1:28 MSU M31 10:30 D o w n s M31 10:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n 1 – 0 0:05 NCAT M33 10:25 I n t e r c e p t i o n M00 09:45 *TOUCHDOWN 2 – 33 0:40 MSU M35 09:45 K i c k o f f N00 05:32 *TOUCHDOWN 9 – 65 4:13 . 

NCAT N20 05:32 K i c k o f f N49 02:07 P u n t 7 – 29 3:25 MSU M12 02:07 P u n t M13 00:00 End of half 3 – 1 2:07 NCAT 3rd N15 15:00 K i c k o f f N21 13:25 P u n t 3 – 6 1:35 MSU M45 13:25 P u n t N23 07:56 *FIELD GOAL 7 – 32 5:29 NCAT N38 07:56 K i c k o f f N32 06:52 I n t e r c e p t i o n 3 – (6) 1:04 MSU M35 06:52 I n t e r c e p t i o n M48 03:38 P u n t 5 – 13 3:14 NCAT M31 03:38 P u n t M00 02:24 *TOUCHDOWN 5 – 31 1:14 . 

MSU M15 02:24 K i c k o f f M28 00:00 P u n t 5 – 13 2:24 NCAT 4th N36 15:00 P u n t N39 13:50 P u n t 3 – 3 1:10 MSU M26 13:50 P u n t N34 09:18 *FIELD GOAL 11 – 40 4:32 NCAT N25 09:18 K i c k o f f M26 03:19 Missed FG 14 – 49 5:59 MSU M26 03:19 Missed FG N19 00:00 *FIELD GOAL 7 – 55 3:19 .

Quickie Statistics (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

MSU NCAT 

Score 16 13 

FIRST DOWNS 16 11 

RUSHES-YARDS (NET) 43-132 26-120 

PASSING YDS (NET) 138 88 

Passes Att-Comp-Int 24-10-1 30-11-2 

TOTAL OFFENSE PLAYS-YARDS 67-270 56-208 

Fumble Returns-Yards 0-0 0-0 

Punt Returns-Yards 5-43 4-27 

Kickoff Returns-Yards 2-21 3-73 

Interception Returns-Yards 2-0 1-0 

Punts (Number-Avg) 8-29.2 7-38.0 

Fumbles-Lost 2-1 1-0 

Penalties-Yards 9-67 7-60 

Possession Time 35:56 24:04 

Third-Down Conversions 5 of 16 1 of 12 

Fourth-Down Conversions 0 of 0 1 of 2 

Red-Zone Scores-Chances 2-2 1-1 

MORGAN STATE North Carolina A&T 

Rushing No. Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg CHASE,Joshua 16 65 0 65 0 15 4.1 HARRIS,DeAndre 14 85 40 45 1 16 3.2 RIGGINS,Jordan 13 29 7 22 0 7 1.7 

Passing C-A-I Yds TD Long Sack HARRIS,DeAndre 10-24-1 138 0 34 1 

Receiving No. Yards TD Long HOLMES,Corey 3 47 0 24 BALDWIN,Daylen 3 38 0 25 MCCRACKEN,Jack 1 34 0 34 GRAVETTE,Xavier 1 9 0 9 

Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 TB O’SHEA,Nicholas 6 210 35.0 57 3 0 TEAM 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 

Punt Returns No. Yards TD Long COFIELD,Jordan 2 24 0 4 LEWIS,Maurice 1 11 0 11 

Kick Returns No. Yards TD Long COFIELD,Jordan 2 21 0 11 

Tackles UA-A Total Sacks TFL WHITAKER,Damar 11-2 12.0 0.0 0.0 GARNES,Carl 4-1 4.5 0.0 1.0 MCBORROUGH,Ia 3-0 3.0 0.0 0.0 JOHNSON,Darius 2-0 2.0 0.0 0.0 

Rushing No. Gain Loss Net TD Lg Avg CARTWRIGHT,M. 12 59 5 54 1 19 4.5 CARTER,Kylil 5 43 0 43 0 13 8.6 MARTIN,J. 6 15 0 15 0 5 2.5 RAYNARD,Lamar 3 9 1 8 0 8 2.7 

Passing C-A-I Yds TD Long Sack CARTER,Kylil 7-15-0 55 1 23 0 RAYNARD,Lamar 4-15-2 33 0 10 0 

Receiving No. Yards TD Long WILSON,Malik 5 22 0 10 BELL,Elijah 2 17 0 10 HUNT,Ron 2 16 0 10 HILL,Leroy 1 23 1 23 

Punting No. Yds Avg Long In20 TB RIVERS,Michael 7 266 38.0 47 2 0 

Punt Returns No. Yards TD Long BAKER,Kashon 2 -5 0 1 BETHEA,Jalon 1 20 0 0 

Kick Returns No. Yards TD Long WILSON,Malik 3 73 0 38 

Tackles UA-A Total Sacks TFL MCKNIGHT,Julian 6-0 6.0 0.0 3.0 CATES,Justin 6-0 6.0 0.0 0.0 WILDER,Antoine 5-1 5.5 0.0 0.0 BETHEA,Jalon 4-2 5.0 0.0 0.0 

Qtr Time Scoring Play V-H 2nd 09:45 NCAT – HILL,Leroy 23 yd pass from CARTER,Kylil (RAYNARD,Lamar pass failed), 2-33 0:40 0 – 6 05:32 MSU – HARRIS,DeAndre 10 yd run (RAYA,Alex kick), 9-65 4:13 7 – 6 3rd 07:56 MSU – RAYA,Alex 40 yd field goal, 7-32 5:29 10 – 6 02:24 NCAT – CARTWRIGHT,M. 19 yd run (RUIZ,Noel kick), 5-31 1:14 10 – 13 4th 09:18 MSU – RAYA,Alex 51 yd field goal, 11-40 4:32 13 – 13 00:00 MSU – RAYA,Alex 36 yd field goal, 7-55 3:19 16 – 13

Participation Report (Final) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

MORGAN STATE 

Pos ## OFFENSE 

HB 55 FATOGOMA,Chris LT 66 MILES,Joshua LG 63 TOUANI,Stefan C 59 ALLEN,Adrien RG 74 THOMPSON,Matt RT 77 TRIGG,Bruce TE 89 MCCRACKEN,Jack WR 3 HOLMES,Corey QB 6 HARRIS,DeAndre RB 32 CHASE,Joshua WR 13 BAILEY,Manasseh 

Pos ## DEFENSE 

DE 9 AGBELESE,AJ DT 99 MCCRAY,Antoine DT 55 FATOGOMA,Chris DE 27 WARRIOR,Colby WLB 5 MCBORROUGH,Ian MLB 7 WHITAKER,Damare SLB 28 KENNEDY,Rico CB 1 SMALL,Donte SS 19 TRIGG,Dominick FS 2 GARNES,Carl CB 24 REVELL,Tra 

North Carolina A&T 

Pos ## OFFENSE 

WR 13 BELL,Elijah LG 68 HARDY,Macquel LT 73 PETTIFORD,M. C 55 WILSON,Dacquari RG 78 SHAW,Micah RT 79 KEYS,Dontae WR 81 HUNT,Ron 

WR 88 WILSON,Malik WR 19 LESLIE,Zachary QB 7 RAYNARD,Lamar RB 22 CARTWRIGHT,M. 

Pos ## DEFENSE 

DE 96 BLUE,Sam DE 40 JOHNSON,Darryl NG 95 MCKNIGHT,Julian DT 94 CATES,Justin LB 34 JONES,Deion LB 5 RICHARDSON,K. LB 9 WILDER,Antoine CB 29 MCCAIN,Franklin CB 14 ABRAM,Timadre ROV 2 DARDEN,Jamaal FS 33 BETHEA,Jalon 

MORGAN STATE: 12-RAYA,Alex, 25-JOHNSON,Darius, 26-THORNS,Marquise, 29-GOODWIN,D, 30-COFIELD,Jordan, 31-LEWIS,Maurice, 33-RIGGINS,Jordan, 35-PARKER,Marcus, 37-WHITE,Deontaye, 38-IRVING,Tariq, 39-PRESLEY,Jordan, 45-THOMPSON,Taylor, 46-O’SHEA,Nicholas, 49-WILSON,Bryce, 50-HONEYCUTT,John, 51-HILL,Lamont, 52-WASHINGTON,D, 70-JOHNSON,Tarik, 80-GRAVETTE,Xavier, 81-AKOJIE,Idahota, 83-THOMPSON,Derek, 85-BALDWIN,Daylen, 86-FRICKE,Mujahid, 88-KELLY,Charles, 95-CHESLEY,Cameron, 97-MABRY,Willie, 98-FRANCOIS,Marvin. 

North Carolina A&T: 4-HICKLIN,Isaiah, 8-STUCKEY,Joseph, 10-CARTER,Kylil, 15-BAH,Ahmed, 18-KITTLE,Richie, 20-REAMS,Najee, 21-WILLIAMS,Derrek, 23-WILLIAMS,Amos, 24-MCNEIL,Amir, 25-BAKER,Kashon, 30-MARTIN,J., 35-RUIZ,Noel, 38-ROGERS,Davis, 41-SMALLS,Leon, 42-JONES,Will, 44-REYNOLDS,Julius, 46-HOLLINGSWORTH,W, 47-RIVERS,Michael, 49-SIMPSON,William, 51-DAVIS,John, 52-BRANCH,Michael, 54-HOWARD,Kyin, 57-BLUE,Markeiss, 59-WESTBROOK,E., 62-JOHNSON,Malik, 74-SMITH,Sylvester, 75-ALI,Balil, 77-MATTHEWS,B., 82-REID,Jarvis, 85-PETERSON,T., 87-HILL,Leroy, 99-RICHARDSON,A..

Play-by-Play Summary (1st quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

1-10 MSU 35 NCAT ball on NCAT35. 

ROGERS,Davis kickoff 56 yards to the MSU9, COFIELD,Jordan return 11 yards to the MSU20 

(REAMS,Najee). 

1-10 MSU 20 CHASE,Joshua rush for no gain to the MSU20 (DARDEN,Jamaal). 

2-10 MSU 20 CHASE,Joshua rush for 1 yard to the MSU21 (BLUE,Sam;MCCAIN,Franklin). 

3-9 MSU 21 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to BAILEY,Manasseh. 

4-9 MSU 21 PENALTY NCAT personal foul 15 yards to the MSU36, 1ST DOWN MSU. X1 1-10 MSU 36 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to HOLMES,Corey (JOHNSON,Darryl). 

2-10 MSU 36 CHASE,Joshua rush for 1 yard to the MSU37 (HOWARD,Kyin). 

3-9 MSU 37 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for loss of 12 yards to the MSU25 (MCKNIGHT,Julian). 

4-21 MSU 25 O’SHEA,Nicholas punt 57 yards to the NCAT18, BAKER,Kashon return -6 yards to the NCAT12 (O’SHEA,Nicholas). 

6 plays, 5 yards, 2:56 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 12:04. 

1-10 Ncat 12 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 4 yards to the NCAT16 (MCBORROUGH,Ian). 

2-6 Ncat 16 RAYNARD,Lamar pass complete to HUNT,Ron for 6 yards to the NCAT22, 1ST DOWN NCAT P1 (WHITAKER,Damare). 

1-10 Ncat 22 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for loss of 2 yards to the NCAT20 (KENNEDY,Rico). 

2-12 Ncat 20 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to WILSON,Malik. 

3-12 Ncat 20 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to HICKLIN,Isaiah, dropped pass. 

4-12 Ncat 20 RIVERS,Michael punt 31 yards to the MSU49, downed. 

5 plays, 8 yards, 2:24 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 09:40. 

1-10 MSU 49 CHASE,Joshua rush for 2 yards to the NCAT49 (JONES,Deion;BRANCH,Michael). 2-8 Ncat 49 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to BAILEY,Manasseh. 

3-8 Ncat 49 HARRIS,DeAndre sacked for loss of 10 yards to the MSU41 (JOHNSON,Darryl). 

4-18 MSU 41 O’SHEA,Nicholas punt 41 yards to the NCAT18, out-of-bounds. 

3 plays, minus 8 yards, 1:20 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 08:20. 

1-10 Ncat 18 MARTIN,J. rush for 5 yards to the NCAT23 (KENNEDY,Rico;GARNES,Carl). 

2-5 Ncat 23 MARTIN,J. rush for no gain to the NCAT23 (CHESLEY,Cameron). 

3-5 Ncat 23 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to CARTWRIGHT,M.. 

4-5 Ncat 23 RIVERS,Michael punt 44 yards to the MSU33, COFIELD,Jordan return 4 yards to the MSU37 (PETERSON,T.). 

3 plays, 5 yards, 1:33 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 06:47. 

1-10 MSU 37 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 16 yards to the NCAT47, 1ST DOWN MSU (DARDEN,Jamaal). R2 1-10 Ncat 47 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for loss of 3 yards to the 50 yardline (MCKNIGHT,Julian). 

2-13 MSU 50 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to WHITE,Deontaye. 

3-13 MSU 50 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 2 yards to the NCAT48 (WILDER,Antoine). 

4-11 Ncat 48 O’SHEA,Nicholas punt 34 yards to the NCAT14, fair catch by BAKER,Kashon. 

4 plays, 15 yards, 1:47 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 05:00. 

1-10 Ncat 14 MARTIN,J. rush for 3 yards to the NCAT17 (WHITAKER,Damare), PENALTY NCAT holding 10 yards to the NCAT7. 

1-17 Ncat 07 1st and 17. 

1-17 Ncat 07 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to BAKER,Kashon. 

2-17 Ncat 07 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 10 yards to the NCAT17 (GARNES,Carl). 

3-7 Ncat 17 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to CARTWRIGHT,M., QB hurry by KENNEDY,Rico. 4-7 Ncat 17 RIVERS,Michael punt 40 yards to the MSU43, COFIELD,Jordan return 0 yards to the MSU43, fumble by COFIELD,Jordan recovered by NCAT RICHARDSON,A. at NCAT37. 

4 plays, 3 yards, 1:27 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 03:33. 

1-10 Ncat 37 RAYNARD,Lamar pass intercepted by SMALL,Donte at the MSU0, SMALL,Donte return 0 yards to the MSU0, touchback. 

1 play, 0 yards, 0:08 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 03:25. 

1-10 MSU 20 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for no gain to the MSU20 (MCKNIGHT,Julian). 

2-10 MSU 20 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 7 yards to the MSU27 (CATES,Justin). 

3-3 MSU 27 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to BAILEY,Manasseh for 5 yards to the MSU32, 1ST DOWN MSU P3 (JONES,Deion). 

1-10 MSU 32 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 2 yards to the MSU34, out-of-bounds (JONES,Deion). 

2-8 MSU 34 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to KELLY,Charles. 

3-8 MSU 34 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to HOLMES,Corey. 

4-8 MSU 34 QB hurry by SMALLS,Leon. 

4-8 MSU 34 O’SHEA,Nicholas punt 26 yards to the NCAT40, out-of-bounds. 

6 plays, 14 yards, 2:34 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 00:51. 

1-10 Ncat 40 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 2 yards to the NCAT42 (MCCRAY,Antoine;WHITAKER,Damare).

Play-by-Play Summary (1st quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

2-8 Ncat 42 RAYNARD,Lamar rush for loss of 1 yard to the NCAT41, fumble by RAYNARD,Lamar recovered by NCAT RAYNARD,Lamar at NCAT41. 

Time 1st Downs Conversions 

Quarter Summary Score Poss R P X T 3rd 4th Rushing Passing Penalties MORGAN STATE 0 08:37 1 1 1 3 1-6 0-0 12-6 1-7-0-5 0-0 North Carolina A&T 0 06:23 0 1 0 1 0-3 0-0 8-21 1-7-1-6 2-25

Play-by-Play Summary (2nd quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

3-9 Ncat 41 Start of 2nd quarter, clock 15:00. 

3-9 Ncat 41 RAYNARD,Lamar pass complete to BELL,Elijah for 7 yards to the NCAT48. 

4-2 Ncat 48 RIVERS,Michael punt 35 yards to the MSU17, LEWIS,Maurice return 11 yards to the MSU28, out-of-bounds (BLUE,Markeiss), PENALTY MSU personal foul 15 yards to the MSU13, 1st and 

10, MSU ball on MSU13. 

3 plays, 8 yards, 1:57 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 13:54. 

1-10 MSU 13 CHASE,Joshua rush for 1 yard to the MSU14 (CATES,Justin). 

2-9 MSU 14 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for loss of 3 yards to the MSU11 (JONES,Deion). 

3-12 MSU 11 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to BALDWIN,Daylen for 5 yards to the MSU16, out-of-bounds. 4-7 MSU 16 RAYA,Alex punt 24 yards to the MSU40, downed. 

3 plays, 3 yards, 1:56 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 11:58. 

1-10 MSU 40 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to CARTWRIGHT,M.. 

2-10 MSU 40 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 4 yards to the MSU36 (WHITAKER,Damare). 

3-6 MSU 36 CARTER,Kylil rush for 4 yards to the MSU32, out-of-bounds (WHITAKER,Damare). 4-2 MSU 32 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 1 yard to the MSU31 (AGBELESE,AJ;WHITAKER,Damare). 4 plays, 9 yards, 1:28 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 10:30. 

1-10 MSU 31 HARRIS,DeAndre pass intercepted by MCCAIN,Franklin at the MSU33, BETHEA,Jalon return 0 yards to the MSU33. 

1 play, 0 yards, 0:05 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 10:25. 

1-10 MSU 33 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 10 yards to the MSU23, 1ST DOWN NCAT (WHITAKER,Damare). R2 1-10 MSU 23 CARTER,Kylil pass complete to HILL,Leroy for 23 yards to the MSU0, 1ST DOWN NCAT, P3 TOUCHDOWN, clock 09:45. 

1-G MSU 03 RAYNARD,Lamar pass attempt failed. 

2 plays, 33 yards, 0:40 

ROGERS,Davis kickoff 61 yards to the MSU4, out-of-bounds, MSU ball on MSU35. 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 09:45. 

1-10 MSU 35 CHASE,Joshua rush for 1 yard to the MSU36 (JOHNSON,Darryl). 

2-9 MSU 36 CHASE,Joshua rush for 15 yards to the NCAT49, 1ST DOWN MSU (WILDER,Antoine). R4 1-10 Ncat 49 CHASE,Joshua rush for 1 yard to the NCAT48 (MCKNIGHT,Julian). 

2-9 Ncat 48 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to HOLMES,Corey, QB hurry by JOHNSON,Darryl. 3-9 Ncat 48 QB hurry by BLUE,Sam. 

3-9 Ncat 48 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to HOLMES,Corey for 24 yards to the NCAT24, 1ST DOWN MSU P5 (BETHEA,Jalon;MCCAIN,Franklin). 

1-10 Ncat 24 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 3 yards to the NCAT21 (MCCAIN,Franklin). 

2-7 Ncat 21 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to HOLMES,Corey. 

3-7 Ncat 21 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 11 yards to the NCAT10, 1ST DOWN MSU (DARDEN,Jamaal;BLUE,Sam). R6 1-G Ncat 10 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 10 yards to the NCAT0, TOUCHDOWN, clock 05:32. 

1-G Ncat 03 RAYA,Alex kick attempt good. 

9 plays, 65 yards, 4:13 

RAYA,Alex kickoff 65 yards to the NCAT0, WILSON,Malik return 20 yards to the NCAT20 

(LEWIS,Maurice). 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 05:32. 

1-10 Ncat 20 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 9 yards to the NCAT29 (GARNES,Carl). 

2-1 Ncat 29 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for no gain to the NCAT29 (MCCRAY,Antoine). 

3-1 Ncat 29 RAYNARD,Lamar rush for 1 yard to the NCAT30, 1ST DOWN NCAT (HILL,Lamont). R4 1-10 Ncat 30 RAYNARD,Lamar pass complete to WILSON,Malik for 10 yards to the NCAT40, 1ST DOWN NCAT P5 (JOHNSON,Darius). 

1-10 Ncat 40 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for loss of 1 yard to the NCAT39 (GARNES,Carl). 

2-11 Ncat 39 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to LESLIE,Zachary. 

3-11 Ncat 39 RAYNARD,Lamar pass complete to HUNT,Ron for 10 yards to the NCAT49, out-of-bounds (IRVING,Tariq). 

4-1 Ncat 49 RIVERS,Michael punt 47 yards to the MSU4, GARNES,Carl return 8 yards to the MSU12, out-of-bounds (BLUE,Markeiss). 

7 plays, 29 yards, 3:25 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 02:07. 

1-10 MSU 12 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 2 yards to the MSU14 (JONES,Deion). 

2-8 MSU 14 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 5 yards to the MSU19 (CATES,Justin). 

3-3 MSU 19 Timeout North Carolina A&T, clock 01:25. 

3-3 MSU 19 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 4 yards to the MSU23, 1ST DOWN MSU (CATES,Justin). R7 1-10 MSU 23 PENALTY MSU false start (ALLEN,Adrien) 5 yards to the MSU18. 

1-15 MSU 18 PENALTY MSU false start (THOMPSON,Matt) 5 yards to the MSU13. 

End of half, clock 00:00. 

3 plays, 1 yard, 2:07

Play-by-Play Summary (2nd quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

Time 1st Downs Conversions 

Quarter Summary Score Poss R P X T 3rd 4th Rushing Passing Penalties MORGAN STATE 7 08:21 3 1 0 4 3-4 0-0 11-50 2-5-1-29 3-25 North Carolina A&T 6 06:39 2 2 0 4 1-4 0-1 8-28 4-6-0-50 0-0

Play-by-Play Summary (3rd quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

Start of 3rd quarter, clock 15:00. 

1-20 MSU 13 MSU ball on MSU35. 

RAYA,Alex kickoff 65 yards to the NCAT0, WILSON,Malik return 15 yards to the NCAT15 

(LEWIS,Maurice). 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 15:00. 

1-10 Ncat 15 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for loss of 2 yards to the NCAT13 (WARRIOR,Colby). 

2-12 Ncat 13 RAYNARD,Lamar rush for 8 yards to the NCAT21 (MCBORROUGH,Ian). 

3-4 Ncat 21 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete (KENNEDY,Rico). 

4-4 Ncat 21 RIVERS,Michael punt 34 yards to the MSU45, out-of-bounds. 

3 plays, 6 yards, 1:35 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 13:25. 

1-10 MSU 45 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 15 yards to the NCAT40, 1ST DOWN MSU, out-of-bounds R8 (BETHEA,Jalon). 

1-10 Ncat 40 CHASE,Joshua rush for 3 yards to the NCAT37 (WILDER,Antoine). 

2-7 Ncat 37 CHASE,Joshua rush for 12 yards to the NCAT25, 1ST DOWN MSU (WILDER,Antoine). R9 1-10 Ncat 25 PENALTY MSU false start (THOMPSON,Matt) 5 yards to the NCAT30. 

1-15 Ncat 30 CHASE,Joshua rush for 7 yards to the NCAT23 (REYNOLDS,Julius;BETHEA,Jalon). 2-8 Ncat 23 PENALTY MSU holding (MILES,Joshua) 12 yards to the NCAT35. 

2-20 Ncat 35 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to GRAVETTE,Xavier for 9 yards to the NCAT26 (BETHEA,Jalon). 3-11 Ncat 26 PENALTY MSU holding (MILES,Joshua) 0 yards to the NCAT26, PENALTY NCAT face mask 0 yards to the NCAT26, NO PLAY. 

3-11 Ncat 26 PENALTY MSU false start (THOMPSON,Matt) 5 yards to the NCAT31. 

3-16 Ncat 31 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to BALDWIN,Daylen for 8 yards to the NCAT23 (ABRAM,Timadre). 4-8 Ncat 23 RAYA,Alex field goal attempt from 40 GOOD, clock 07:56. 

7 plays, 32 yards, 5:29 

RAYA,Alex kickoff 65 yards to the NCAT0, WILSON,Malik return 38 yards to the NCAT38 

(WASHINGTON,D;WILSON,Bryce). 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 07:56. 

1-10 Ncat 38 PENALTY NCAT holding (WILSON,Malik) 10 yards to the NCAT28. 

1-20 Ncat 28 MARTIN,J. rush for 4 yards to the NCAT32 (WHITAKER,Damare). 

2-16 Ncat 32 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to LESLIE,Zachary (THORNS,Marquise). 

3-16 Ncat 32 RAYNARD,Lamar pass intercepted by THORNS,Marquise at the MSU35, THORNS,Marquise return 0 yards to the MSU35. 

3 plays, minus 6 yards, 1:04 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 06:52. 

1-10 MSU 35 CHASE,Joshua rush for 4 yards to the MSU39 (JOHNSON,Darryl). 

2-6 MSU 39 CHASE,Joshua rush for 10 yards to the MSU49, 1ST DOWN MSU (MCCAIN,Franklin;HOWARD,Kyin). R10 1-10 MSU 49 CHASE,Joshua rush for 2 yards to the NCAT49 (HOWARD,Kyin). 

2-8 Ncat 49 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 4 yards to the NCAT45 (MCKNIGHT,Julian). 

3-4 Ncat 45 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for loss of 7 yards to the MSU48 (JOHNSON,Darryl). 

4-11 MSU 48 O’SHEA,Nicholas punt BLOCKED, recovered by MSU O’SHEA,Nicholas at MSU28 (blocked by BETHEA,Jalon), O’SHEA,Nicholas punt 15 yards to the MSU43, JONES,Will return 12 yards to 

the MSU31 (PARKER,Marcus). 

5 plays, 13 yards, 3:14 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 03:38. 

1-10 MSU 31 CARTER,Kylil rush for 2 yards to the MSU29 (WHITAKER,Damare). 

2-8 MSU 29 RAYNARD,Lamar pass incomplete to HILL,Leroy, dropped pass. 

3-8 MSU 29 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to BELL,Elijah. 

4-8 MSU 29 CARTER,Kylil pass complete to LESLIE,Zachary for 10 yards to the MSU19, 1ST DOWN NCAT P6 (THORNS,Marquise). 

1-10 MSU 19 CARTWRIGHT,M. rush for 19 yards to the MSU0, 1ST DOWN NCAT, TOUCHDOWN, clock 02:24. R7 1-G MSU 03 RUIZ,Noel kick attempt good. 

5 plays, 31 yards, 1:14 

RUIZ,Noel kickoff 60 yards to the MSU5, COFIELD,Jordan return 10 yards to the MSU15 

(STUCKEY,Joseph). 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 02:24. 

1-10 MSU 15 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete, QB hurry by HOWARD,Kyin. 

2-10 MSU 15 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 10 yards to the MSU25, 1ST DOWN MSU (BETHEA,Jalon). R11 1-10 MSU 25 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 7 yards to the MSU32 (REAMS,Najee). 

2-3 MSU 32 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for loss of 4 yards to the MSU28 (MCKNIGHT,Julian). 

3-7 MSU 28 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to BALDWIN,Daylen (MCCAIN,Franklin). 

4-7 MSU 28 O’SHEA,Nicholas punt 37 yards to the NCAT35, BAKER,Kashon return 1 yards to the NCAT36, out-of-bounds (HOLMES,Corey). 

5 plays, 13 yards, 2:24 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 00:00.

Play-by-Play Summary (3rd quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

Time 1st Downs Conversions 

Quarter Summary Score Poss R P X T 3rd 4th Rushing Passing Penalties MORGAN STATE 3 11:07 4 0 0 4 0-3 0-0 12-63 2-4-0-17 4-22 North Carolina A&T 7 03:53 1 1 0 2 0-3 1-1 5-31 1-6-1-10 2-10

Play-by-Play Summary (4th quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

1-10 Ncat 36 Start of 4th quarter, clock 15:00. 

1-10 Ncat 36 MARTIN,J. rush for 1 yard to the NCAT37 (JOHNSON,Darius). 

2-9 Ncat 37 MARTIN,J. rush for 2 yards to the NCAT39 (AGBELESE,AJ). 

3-7 Ncat 39 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to LESLIE,Zachary, QB hurry by WARRIOR,Colby. 4-7 Ncat 39 RIVERS,Michael punt 35 yards to the MSU26, WHITE,Deontaye return 0 yards to the MSU26 (PETERSON,T.). 

3 plays, 3 yards, 1:10 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 13:50. 

1-10 MSU 26 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to WHITAKER,Damare, dropped pass (MCCAIN,Franklin). 2-10 MSU 26 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to BALDWIN,Daylen for 25 yards to the NCAT49, 1ST DOWN MSU. P12 1-10 Ncat 49 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to MCCRACKEN,Jack. 

2-10 Ncat 49 PENALTY MSU false start (THOMPSON,Matt) 5 yards to the MSU46. 

2-15 MSU 46 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to HOLMES,Corey for 10 yards to the NCAT44 (ABRAM,Timadre). 3-5 Ncat 44 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to WHITE,Deontaye for 5 yards to the NCAT39, 1ST DOWN MSU P13 (BETHEA,Jalon). 

1-10 Ncat 39 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for 9 yards to the NCAT30 (JONES,Deion;WILDER,Antoine). 2-1 Ncat 30 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 2 yards to the NCAT28, 1ST DOWN MSU (DARDEN,Jamaal). R14 1-10 Ncat 28 HARRIS,DeAndre rush for loss of 2 yards to the NCAT30, fumble by HARRIS,DeAndre recovered by MSU HARRIS,DeAndre at NCAT36. 

2-18 Ncat 36 HARRIS,DeAndre pass incomplete to BALDWIN,Daylen. 

3-18 Ncat 36 CHASE,Joshua rush for 2 yards to the NCAT34 (WILDER,Antoine). 

4-16 Ncat 34 RAYA,Alex field goal attempt from 51 GOOD, clock 09:18. 

11 plays, 40 yards, 4:32 

RAYA,Alex kickoff 65 yards to the NCAT0, touchback. 

NORTH CAROLINA A&T drive start at 09:18. 

1-10 Ncat 25 CARTER,Kylil pass complete to WILSON,Malik for 2 yards to the NCAT27 (FATOGOMA,Chris). 2-8 Ncat 27 CARTER,Kylil rush for 11 yards to the NCAT38, 1ST DOWN NCAT, out-of-bounds R8 (WHITAKER,Damare). 

1-10 Ncat 38 CARTER,Kylil rush for 13 yards to the MSU49, out-of-bounds, PENALTY NCAT holding (BELL,Elijah) 10 yards to the NCAT41. 

1-7 Ncat 41 1st and 7. 

1-7 Ncat 41 Timeout North Carolina A&T, clock 07:24. 

1-7 Ncat 41 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to LESLIE,Zachary (JOHNSON,Darius). 

2-7 Ncat 41 CARTER,Kylil pass complete to BELL,Elijah for 10 yards to the MSU49, 1ST DOWN NCAT, P9 out-of-bounds (WHITAKER,Damare). 

1-10 MSU 49 CARTER,Kylil pass complete to WILSON,Malik for 6 yards to the MSU43, out-of-bounds (GARNES,Carl). 

2-4 MSU 43 CARTER,Kylil rush for 13 yards to the MSU30, 1ST DOWN NCAT (MCBORROUGH,Ian). R10 1-10 MSU 30 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to BELL,Elijah (IRVING,Tariq). 

2-10 MSU 30 CARTER,Kylil pass complete to WILSON,Malik for 1 yard to the MSU29, out-of-bounds (WHITAKER,Damare), PENALTY NCAT holding (HUNT,Ron) 10 yards to the MSU39. 

2-19 MSU 39 2nd and 19. 

2-19 MSU 39 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to BELL,Elijah. 

3-19 MSU 39 PENALTY MSU pass interference 15 yards to the MSU24, 1ST DOWN NCAT. X11 1-10 MSU 24 PENALTY NCAT false start (SHAW,Micah) 5 yards to the MSU29. 

1-15 MSU 29 CARTER,Kylil pass complete to WILSON,Malik for 3 yards to the MSU26 (WHITAKER,Damare). 2-12 MSU 26 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to BAH,Ahmed. 

3-12 MSU 26 CARTER,Kylil pass incomplete to WILSON,Malik. 

4-12 MSU 26 RUIZ,Noel field goal attempt from 43 MISSED – wide right, spot at MSU26, clock 03:19. 14 plays, 49 yards, 5:59 

MORGAN STATE drive start at 03:19. 

1-10 MSU 26 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to MCCRACKEN,Jack for 34 yards to the NCAT40, 1ST DOWN MSU. P15 1-10 Ncat 40 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for no gain to the NCAT40 (CATES,Justin). 

2-10 Ncat 40 HARRIS,DeAndre pass complete to HOLMES,Corey for 13 yards to the NCAT27, 1ST DOWN MSU P16 (MCCAIN,Franklin). 

1-10 Ncat 27 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 4 yards to the NCAT23 (BRANCH,Michael). 

2-6 Ncat 23 RIGGINS,Jordan rush for 1 yard to the NCAT22 (CATES,Justin). 

3-5 Ncat 22 CHASE,Joshua rush for 3 yards to the NCAT19 (REYNOLDS,Julius). 

4-2 Ncat 19 Timeout MORGAN STATE, clock 00:02. 

4-2 Ncat 19 Timeout North Carolina A&T, clock 00:02. 

4-2 Ncat 19 RAYA,Alex field goal attempt from 36 GOOD, clock 00:00. 

End of game, clock 00:00. 

7 plays, 55 yards, 3:19

Play-by-Play Summary (4th quarter) 

MORGAN STATE vs #4 North Carolina A&T (Sep 22, 2018 at Greensboro, N.C.) 

Time 1st Downs Conversions 

Quarter Summary Score Poss R P X T 3rd 4th Rushing Passing Penalties MORGAN STATE 6 07:51 1 4 0 5 1-3 0-0 8-13 5-8-0-87 2-20 North Carolina A&T 0 07:09 2 1 1 4 0-2 0-0 5-40 5-11-0-22 3-25

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BALTIMORE – A season-high performance by Miajavon Coleman helped Coppin State’s volleyball team defeat UMBC, 3-1 Monday night inside the Chesapeake Employers Arena. Coppin moves to 6-6 on the season while UMBC falls to 5-9.

Coleman had a double-double 21 kills and 16 digs while Paola Caten also recorded a double-double 14 kills and 11 digs. Andrea Tsvetanova led in assists with 44 and Ashley Roman had 16 digs.

Set one, UMBC had an early 20-14 lead before the Eagles went on a 5-1 run to cut into the Retrievers lead. A kill by Miajavon Coleman tied the set at 22 all and another kill sealed the deal for the Eagles to take the set 27-25.

In set two, points were exchanged back and forth before Coppin took a 13-10 lead causing an early timeout by the Retrievers. Coppin went ahead 17-13 before UMBC went on a 4-0 scoring run to tie the set at 17 all. UMBC’s Ayhan Beste finished the set with a kill and took the set 25-21.

The Eagles took an early 6-3 lead to begin set three. UMBC tied the match at 10 before a 4-0 scoring run gave them the 15-12 lead. Points went back-and forth before a kill by Ahzhi Coleman tied the match at 20. A kill by Sydney Hicks gave the Eagles set point and Coppin took set 3, 25-22 and lead the match 2-1.

A service error by UMBC gave the Eagles point one to begin the fourth set and Coppin capitalized taking an early 7-2 lead. The Retrievers cut into the Eagles lead with a 3-0 scoring run but it was not enough as Coppin stepped on the gas and increased their lead to 14-8 before UMBC used their final timeout. The Eagles finished the set on a 3-0 scoring run to take the set 25-19.

Coppin opens league play on September 24 taking on South Carolina State at 6 p.m. inside Dukes Gymnasium.

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Vice President Kamala Harris takes part in the ceremonial coin toss before an NCAA college football game between Howard and Hampton at Audi Field in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Harris attended Howard University and graduated in 1986. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

By The Associated Press

Jett Duffey threw for three touchdowns, including a 95-yarder to Hezekiah Grimsley as Hampton defeated Howard 48-32 before 14,000 fans on Sept. 18 in the inaugural Truth and Service Classic.

The 95-yard hookup from Duffey to Grimsley, who made the catch at about his own 25 and outran the defense the rest of the way, was the longest scoring pass in, not just Hampton’s, but Big South Conference history.

The 96th matchup between the two HBCU programs was the first college football game played at Audi Field, home of the D.C. United of Major League Soccer. It was also the fifth straight for Hampton in the so-called Battle of the Real HU.

Vice President Kamala Harris, a Howard alumna, made a surprise appearance and walked onto the field for the pregame coin toss. It was won by Howard, which deferred to Hampton. Symone Sanders, a spokeswoman for Harris, tweeted a photo after the toss of the gold-and-blue coin that had the words “Kamala D. Harris” and “49th Vice President of the United States” printed on it.

Hampton took advantage of three Howard turnovers in the second half to put some distance on the Bison.

Trailing just 21-17 after a half, Howard opened the third quarter with the ball but Hampton’s KeShaun Moore tipped a pass and picked it off, setting up a Keyondre White TD run. White ran for three touchdowns in the game.

A fumble recovery led to a Darran Butts 42-yard TD run and a 42-17 Hampton lead.

Howard came as close as 42-32 with two quick touchdowns — a Kasey Hawthorne reception in the end zone (plus a two-point conversion pass) and Jarett Hunter’s 8-yard run three minutes later.

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In this Aug. 13, 2021, file photo, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard runs a drill during joint practice with the Carolina Panthers at the NFL team’s football training camp in Westfield, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

By Barry Wilner
AP Pro Football Writer

The idea behind the HBCU Open House staged annually by the NFL is simple: providing opportunities.

Reactions from the recent event indicate the league is on the right track in opening off-the-field paths for students and alumni from the historically Black schools that provide so many players to pro football.

“The event was timely and strategic,” says Jacqie McWilliams, commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), one of three conferences in attendance. 

“It confirmed that over the past two years that there have been intentional efforts to support and identify opportunities with the HBCU conferences collectively. I appreciated the NFL Football Operations team creating space for thought leaders to share and be heard while identifying shared values to support meaningful opportunities that bring value, and added value, to both organizations.” 

The Open House featured one-on-one and group opportunities with a variety of NFL executives and personnel from departments in football strategy, development, data and analytics, talent acquisition, experience programs and more. 

Participants came from the CIAA, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA).

A partnership with the MEAC and SWAC begun in 2016 has been expanded to include the other two conferences. More than 3,000 students in the past five years have participated in programs carried out by the NFL’s football ops department.

“The NFL is one of the best in branding and telling stories,” McWilliams notes. “We both recognize there is a need for more Black and Brown professionals in the industry. HBCUs have one of the strongest recruiting bases for talent. HBCUs’ traditions and values align perfectly in assisting with focused programming on student development, career exposure and networking. It is always our goal to increase opportunities for students and athletic administrators from our HBCU institutions and the power of the NFL will assist in providing access and opportunities.”

Indeed, students from HBCU institutions have taken advantage of advancement opportunities through the Careers in Football Forum, the NFL Campus Connection and the HBCU Open House. Some of them are working for NFL teams or in the league office.

Natara Holloway, the NFL’s vice president of business operations and strategy for football operations, can’t hold back her excitement when speaking about the symbiotic relationship created by these initiatives. 

“HBCUs have a long history of diverse students coming out with so much talent, and to add value to companies, and they’ve been overlooked for a long time,” she says. “Not a lot of companies have traditionally recruited from HBCUs. We found on the field you can find great talent from the HBCUs, of course, and when we started the 2016 programs, found so much more talent. And we have more people from HBCUs in the offices around the league than on the field. People would be surprised to find out that.”

There were 32 HBCU players making opening rosters in 2020. The number for this season is uncertain because final rosters remain fluid until late next week.

One emphasis of the programs is making HBCU students and alumni aware of positions on the business side of the game. The vast majority of students won’t be emulating Darius Leonard, the Colts’ All-Pro linebacker from the MEAC’s South Carolina State.

Instead, they will be pursuing jobs that can range from the communications field to analytics to accounting to, well, pretty much anything involving the running of a franchise.

“We wanted to have a concentrated effort to help people become aware of what careers are available in football,” Holloway explains. “It’s an eye-opening experience for us, too. If we don’t know about these students and they don’t know about us, we have issues.”

McWilliams is confident the partnership between the HBCUs and the NFL will continue to grow — in size and impact.

“There is strength and power in creating an HBCU platform for all four conferences with the NFL,” she says. “My hope is that we can brand and market the rich legacy and tradition of players in the NFL, that we build on the leadership through the programs available, and we are intentional in identifying ways to impact our communities through the programs and beyond in our HBCU footprint.”

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NORFOLK, Va. – Coppin State’s Miajavon Coleman (San Antonio, Texas) was named the MEAC Volleyball Co-Player of the Week while Andrea Tsvetanova (Sofia, Bulgaria) received Setter of the Week honors, it was announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

This is the seventh time in her career that Coleman has been named the Conference’s Player of the Week, and the first weekly award of Tsvetanova’s tenure at Coppin after transferring from Western Nebraska CC prior to the season.

A senior from San Antonio, Texas, Coleman averaged 4.00 kills and 2.58 digs per set while hitting .198 with a pair of double-doubles, leading the Eagles to a 2-1 weekend at Penn’s Sheraton University City Volleyball Invitational.  Coleman was also named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts.

Open the Tournament with a four-set win over Canisius on Friday, Coleman recorded a double-double 14 kills and 12 digs to go with three blocks.  Coleman followed up with a 19 kill, nine dig performance in a win over Bucknell before tallying 15 kills and ten digs at Penn.

Coleman currently leads the MEAC with 4.05 kills per set and double-doubles (5) while ranking sixth with 3.27 digs per set.  Over the weekend, she passed Brittany Arvin for third on Coppin’s all-time kills list and now has 1,101 in her career. Coleman now ranks eighth in MEAC history with 1,214.5 points.

Hailing from Sofia, Bulgaria, Tsvetanova also earned All-Tournament Team honors over the weekend, putting up 7.83 assists, 3.42 digs and 0.50 blocks per set with three double-doubles. Splitting time at setter in the opener against Canisius, Tsvetanova tallied 15 assists and 15 digs before recording 37 assists and 12 assists in a win over Bucknell on Saturday.  Tsvetanova closed out the Tournament with a season-high 42 assists to go with 14 digs, five blocks and three kills against Penn.

Through six matches, Tsvetanova ranks fourth in assists (7.55) and second in double-doubles (four) while directing the Eagles offense to a .167 hitting percentage and 10.95 kills per set, both of which rank second in the MEAC.

The Eagles return to action on Wednesday, September 8 when they welcome George Washington University to PEC Arena for a 5 pm start.

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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Three Coppin State volleyball players notched double-doubles as the Eagles defeated Canisius, 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-20, 27-25) at The Palestra on Friday afternoon at Penn’s Sheraton University City Volleyball Invitational.  The Eagles even their record at 2-2 overall while the Griffins fall to 0-4.

Miajavon Coleman (San Antonio, Texas) recorded her fourth double-double in as many games as she tallied 14 kills and 12 digs along with three blocks.  Libero Ashley Roman (Isabela, Puerto Rico) recorded her first career double-double, matching a season-high with 23 digs along with a career-high ten assists.  Setter Andrea Tsvetanova (Sofia, Bulgaria) was credited with 15 assists and 15 digs while splitting time with Kareemah Hopkins (San Diego, Calif.) (11 assists).

Coppin had a well-balanced offensive attack as Sydney Hicks (Ashburn, Va.) finished with ten kills, followed by Paola Caten (Tampa, Fla.) with seven and Ahzhi Coleman (San Antonio, Texas) with six.  Coleman did not record an error to hit .375 while she led the Eagles with five blocks as Caten also tallied 12 digs and a pair of blocks.

In the opening set, Coppin led early on but Canisius regrouped with a 4-0 run to take an 8-7 lead.  The teams traded leads until the Eagles went on a 7-2 run, to take a four-point advantage at 17-13.  Canisius once again came right back, this time with eight-straight points to go up 21-17. CSU pulled to within, 22-20, before a Canisius kill, but the Eagles closed the set out with five-straight points, including kills from Miajavon Coleman and Ahzhi Coleman to finish it off.

Once again, Coppin got out to an early lead in the second set, and used a 5-0 run to go on top, 12-8. A 5-1 Griffins run tied the frame at 13-13, and after a couple of lead changes, Canisius took control at 21-19.  The Eagles pulled to within a point following a service error, but the Griffins took four of the next six points to even the match.

The Eagles controlled the third set from start to finish, opening the frame on a 5-1 run. Canisius got to as close as 8-7 but Hopkins helped stop the rally with a kill, an assist on a kill by Ahzhi Coleman and a solo block. Coppin kept it up from there, not allowing the Griffins to pull within three points the remainder of the way.

Canisius led the fourth set early on and held a pair of four-point leads in the opening third.  Coppin proceeded to go on a 7-1 run featuring a pair of kills from Miajavon Coleman before she combined for a block with her younger sister Ahzhi Coleman to put CSU on top, 13-11. The Griffins were able to regain the lead and looked in control at 22-19, but a pair of bad sets along with a block by Jordan Celestine (Stockbridge, Ga.) and Miajavon Coleman tied the set at 22-22. Canisius scored the next two points to force a set-point, but the Eagles forced a pair of errors to force the period into extras at 24-24.

The Griffins had another set-point at 25-24, but Coppin sealed the match as a pair of kills from Miajavon Coleman sandwiched a bad set from the Griffins.  Roman came through with the assists on the match-clinching point to notch the double-double.

Coppin returns to The Palestra on Saturday, September 4 as it battles Bucknell at 4 pm, followed by Penn at 7 pm.  The matchup against the Quakers will air on ESPN+.

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STATESBORO, Ga. –  Coppin State volleyball’s Ashley Roman was named to the Bash in the Boro All-Tournament Team, it was announced by Georgia Southern University on Saturday evening.

Georgia Southern’s Hanna McGlockton was named Most Valuable Player. The following student-athletes were also named to the All-Tourney team; Grace Slader (Georgia Southern), Paige Powers (Georgia Southern), Erin Cooke (Presbyterian), Rylee Moorhead (Presbyterian) and Jasmine Moore (Bethune-Cookman).

For the Tournament, Roman averaged 5.10 digs per set along with six assists and an ace. A junior from Isabela, P.R., Roman was credited with 11 digs to help the Eagles defeat Bethune-Cookman in straight sets on Friday afternoon. Roman also led the team in digs against Georgia Southern (23) and Presbyterian (17), respectively.

The Eagles are back in action September 3-4 for the Sheraton University City Volleyball Invitational, hosted by Penn in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. The Eagles will play Canisius on Friday, September 3 at 4 p.m. inside the Palestra, followed by Bucknell (4 pm) and the Quakers (7 pm) on Saturday.

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BALTIMORE – Fresh off a MEAC Northern Division Title, the Coppin State men’s basketball program announced its non-conference slate for the 2021-22 season on Friday morning.  The Eagles open the season on November 9 at Loyola Chicago, who advanced to the Sweet Sixteen last season, and host local rivals Loyola University Maryland (Nov. 17) and Towson (Dec. 11) as part of its early-season schedule.

Coppin will play five games in seven days to open the campaign, starting with the Ramblers on opening night before making the short trek crosstown to DePaul the following day.  Two days, later CSU heads to Rider before another 24-hour turnaround at University of Connecticut.  The Eagles round out their five-game season opening road trip with UNC Greensboro on November 15 before their home opener against the Greyhounds.

The Eagles will also make trips to Virginia (Nov. 19), East Carolina (Nov. 27), St. Bonaventure (Dec. 1), Cornell (Dec. 3), George Washington (Dec. 8), Drexel (Dec. 14), George Mason (Dec. 23) and Indiana State (Dec. 29) while Towson heads to PEC Arena on December 11.  Coppin will take part in the Lake Erie Challenge MTE which features road games at Cleveland State and Canisius on November 22 and November 24, respectively.

All game times and television schedules will be announced at a later date. MEAC play will open on January 8 as Coppin will play a home-and-home series with the other seven conference programs.  The MEAC Tournament is scheduled for March 9-12 at Norfolk Scope Arena.

The Eagles will be led by the reigning MEAC Rookie of the Year Nendah Tarke who was also a Third Team All-Conference selection.  Also, returning are guards Kyle Cardaci and Isaiah Gross while Justin Steers and Reggie James return from injury.

Season tickets are now on sale by logging on to www.coppinstatesports.com

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By Tahja Cropper

The COVID-19 pandemic was no match for the perseverance of Izaiah Brown, who as a freshman at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore earned his professional pilot’s license last month.

His interest in flight was influenced by his mother, who used to take him to a playground near the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), where he watched planes taking off and landing. UMES’ aviation science program, the only aviation bachelor’s degree program in Maryland, was a significant factor that attracted the Baltimore native to the university to pursue his goals.

“It takes a lot of dedication. There’s a lot of studying,” Brown said. “It’s not one of those things you can do just to do it. You have to really be interested in it or you’re not going to be able to do it.” 

Chris Hartman, aviation science assistant professor and program coordinator, said the path to earning a pilot’s license is intense.

“In order to become a private pilot, a student must complete the ground school course, pass a (Federal Aviation Administration) knowledge test, complete 40 hours of flight training and then pass a practical exam in the airplane with an FAA designated examiner,” Hartman said.

“A professional pilot student at UMES begins flight training in the first semester of their freshman year,” Hartman said. “This makes for an intense experience as the student must balance flight training with the normal freshman experience of classes.”

Because of COVID-19 contact restrictions, Brown was unable to start flight training in Fall 2020, so he completed all 40 hours of flight training and the private pilot certification in the Spring 2021 semester.

“Izaiah has shown exceptional dedication in his time here,” Hartman said

Brown acknowledged the importance of the UMES environment and support during this process — especially from faculty.

He received praise on social media earlier this month from a leader of a mentoring program, Next One Up, which he participated in as a middle and high school student.

“A scrappy kid from East Baltimore applied to Next One Up in 7th grade. He never stopped showing up,” said Matt Hanna, Next One Up’s founder and chief executive officer.

“A kid (who) had never been to the airport told us he wanted to be a pilot. Now, after just his freshman year at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, he has his pilot’s license,” Hanna wrote.

“He never complained, never missed a day and does what he says he will do. Your family is proud, Baltimore is proud. Well done my friend. Thank you for inspiring others, Izaiah, you are living your dream,” Hanna’s post said.

At the end of June, Brown will work with Boutique Air at BWI in a non-flight position. In the future, he looks forward to gaining flight experience in the U.S. military.

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Loyola University-Maryland basketball coach Tavaras Hardy. (Stockton Photo/Loyola Athletics)

By Demetrius Dillard
Special to the AFRO

It’s official. Collegiate athletes are now permitted to profit from the use of their name, image and likeness.

On June 30, governance bodies in all three NCAA divisions adopted a uniform interim policy suspending restrictions on NCAA name, image and likeness (NIL) rules for all current and incoming student-athletes in all sports. The policy has been in effect since July 1.

According to the NCAA, the new policy has outlined the following guidance for college athletes, recruits, their families and member schools:

• Individuals can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. Colleges and universities are responsible for determining whether those activities are consistent with state law. 
• College athletes who attend a school in a state without an NIL law can engage in this type of activity without violating NCAA rules related to name, image and likeness.
• Individuals can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
• Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.

In addition, the interim policy will remain in place until federal legislation is passed or new NCAA rules are implemented. Over the past month and a half, this has generated the most buzz in the sports world, besides the Tokyo Olympics, as the NIL policy is expected to change the future landscape of college athletics.

After decades of the NCAA prohibiting athletes from accepting any outside money to preserve ‘amateurism’ in college sports, the 460,000-plus athletes that make up the NCAA can now be compensated for a variety of NIL-related pursuits, from selling autographs and running sports camps to striking endorsements and securing major brand deals.

Athletes will also be allowed to hire agents to help them navigate the new NIL process and must report activities to their respective schools.

“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a press release. 

“With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment, both legal and legislative, prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve.”

In 2019, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would allow college athletes to make money off the use of their name, image and likeness, referred to as the ‘Fair Pay to Play’ Act. One could argue that law made way for the NCAA’s new NIL policy.

The Fair Pay to Play Act also allows athletes to sign with licensed agents and strike endorsement deals. The legislation, scheduled to go into effect in January 2023 in California, doesn’t require schools to pay athletes but makes it legal for college athletes to market their name, image and likeness for personal monetary gain.

Since California’s legislation, several states have already passed their own NIL laws. In Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas, it became law on July 1, with Arizona following suit in mid July.

Arkansas, Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina and Tennessee will enact laws in 2022, according to the Boston Globe, and Nebraska and Oklahoma will have laws no later than 2023. Maryland will join Colorado, Montana and California in 2023.

On May 18, Gov. Larry Hogan signed Senate Bill 439, also known as the Jordan McNair Safe and Fair Play Act, into law.

The bill, named after the University of Maryland football player who died of heat exhaustion during a workout in 2018, will require the state’s public universities to adopt new NIL and health-related policies. The health-related policies took effect on July 1 and the NIL features will be effective July 1, 2023.

Loyola University-Maryland basketball Tavaras Hardy agrees with the NCAA giving college athletes an opportunity to monetize the use of the name, image and likeness, but doesn’t want them to lose sight of the ‘student’ in student-athlete.

“I don’t want this to get into the way or interfere with our student-athletes still having the opportunity to pursue academic success and academic excellence,” said Hardy, a Joliet, Ill., native who is entering his fourth year as head of the program.

“While I embrace the opportunity for them to go out and make money, I want them to understand these full-ride scholarships are valuable, and I don’t want them to do anything to jeopardize those because you wouldn’t be making as much money for most student-athletes as you’re getting paid in scholarships.”

According to Hardy, Loyola student-athletes on full-ride receive roughly $70,000 a year in scholarships. 

He feels having academic costs covered along with the opportunity to compete in collegiate sports is more valuable than the possibility of capitalizing off NIL rights, which, in theory, will be more lucrative for students from top-tier basketball and football schools, such as Duke, Kansas, Ohio State, Michigan State, Alabama, Clemson and so on. 

“Just make sure you’re smart and understand that you still have to  be a good basketball player, in our situation, you still have to go to class and be a good student,” he said. 

“You still gotta do things the right way to maintain your scholarship because to me it’s much more valuable than the opportunity to make money off your name, image and likeness for most student-athletes.

“At the end of the day, I will still always say getting your education and having an incredible student-athlete experience is the most important thing, and if you can find a way to make some profits on the side, so be it. But we’re not going to put a whole lot of emphasis on that in our recruiting pitch.”

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