Category: HBCU Sports

MEAC Expands Championship Lineup with Women’s Flag Football and Women’s Golf

Staff

Image via the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is continuing its commitment to growing opportunities for female student-athletes. Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, Women’s Flag Football and Women’s Golf will officially be added to the MEAC championship lineup, marking another significant step forward for the conference and its member institutions. The addition of both sports reflects the rapid growth of women’s athletics nationwide, particularly women’s flag football, which has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the country. Meanwhile, women’s golf provides another competitive platform for…

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Toyota Joins Celebration Bowl and MEAC/SWAC Challenge as Official Band of the Year Partner

Staff

The pageantry and tradition of HBCU marching bands will receive an even bigger spotlight as Toyota has been announced as the new presenting partner of the Official Fan Page Band of the Year competition for both the Cricket Celebration Bowl and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The partnership further strengthens Toyota’s longstanding commitment to HBCUs, student-athletes, and the rich culture surrounding Black college football. Through its support of the Band of the Year competition, Toyota will help celebrate the talented musicians, dancers, and directors who play a vital role in making HBCU…

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Bethune-Cookman Secures Future of Baseball Program, Extends Johnny Hernandez Through 2030

Staff

The foundation of Bethune-Cookman baseball is staying firmly in place. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats baseball has agreed to a four-year contract extension with head coach Johnny Hernandez, keeping him with the Wildcats through the 2030 season. The extension is a significant vote of confidence from the university and reinforces its commitment to sustained success on the diamond. Hernandez has played a key role in maintaining Bethune-Cookman’s status as one of the most respected baseball programs in HBCU athletics, helping the Wildcats remain competitive within the SWAC and on the national stage. By…

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Ohio Valley Conference announces return to traditional football branding

Staff

Courtesy of Kyle Schwartz, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Communications, Ohio Valley Conference Building upon a legacy that spans nearly 80 years and includes national championship teams, All-Americans, National Players of the Year and NFL draft picks, the Ohio Valley Conference announced today that its football-playing members will once again compete under the OVC name and logo beginning with the 2026 season. The return to the OVC identity follows three successful years of partnership with the Big South Conference under the names Big South-OVC Football Association (2023, 2024) and OVC-Big South…

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Tennessee State Athletics Unveils 2026 Hall of Fame Class

Staff

Tennessee State University Athletics has officially announced its 2026 Hall of Fame Class, adding another distinguished group of Tigers and Tigerbelles to one of the most prestigious honors in the university’s athletic history. The Tennessee State Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes former student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and contributors whose accomplishments have helped build TSU’s reputation as one of the premier athletic programs in HBCU sports. From national champions and Olympians to professional standouts and program builders, Hall of Fame inductees represent the very best of Tennessee State’s proud tradition. The 2026…

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Norfolk State’s Thomas Ealey Invited to USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp

Brandon King

Another major honor has come the way of Norfolk State standout Thomas Ealey, who has been invited to participate in the 2026 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp. The invitation places Ealey among the nation’s 56 top draft-eligible and draft-ineligible collegiate players competing for an opportunity to represent Team USA on the international stage.   “We are incredibly proud of Thomas and this well-deserved honor. Thomas is a special player and deserving of this honor. This is an exciting opportunity for him to showcase his skillset on the national…

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Former Jackson State Receiver D.D. Bowie Killed in Mississippi Shooting at 27

Brandon King

The Jackson State football community is mourning the loss of former wide receiver Idarrious “D.D.” Bowie, who was tragically killed in a shooting in Mississippi. He was 27 years old. According to reports, Bowie died following a shooting incident in Rankin County, Mississippi. Authorities responded to the scene and transported Bowie to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Law enforcement officials have since made multiple arrests in connection with the case as the investigation continues. Bowie was one of Mississippi’s most highly regarded football prospects coming…

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The John A. Merritt Classic moved to FirstBank Stadium

Staff

Courtesy of Courtesy of Tennessee State Athletics NASHVILLE — Tennessee State and Jackson State will renew one of HBCU football’s most storied rivalries at Vanderbilt University’s FirstBank Stadium when the teams meet in the 2026 John A. Merritt Classic, presented by the Tennessee Titans and ONE Community, on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tennessee State 2026 single-game tickets, including the John A. Merritt Classic, will go on sale Monday, June 15, at 9 a.m. CT. The game will be played at FirstBank Stadium due to NFL scheduling, which has the Tennessee Titans…

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Tennessee State Alum Shannon Harris Continues Elevating HBCU Coaching Legacy With DC Defenders

Brandon King

Image via the DC Defenders The impact of HBCUs on professional football extends far beyond the players on the field. Tennessee State University alumnus and DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris is proving that point in a major way. Harris has guided the Defenders to the UFL Championship Game for the second consecutive season, further solidifying his reputation as one of professional football’s rising coaching stars. His success represents not only a personal achievement but also another significant milestone for Tennessee State and the HBCU football community. A former quarterback…

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HBCU Legacy Bowl Headed To Atlanta In 2027

Brandon King

The HBCU Legacy Bowl is set for a major move in 2027, as the premier postseason showcase for NFL draft-eligible HBCU talent heads to Atlanta, Georgia. Organizers announced that the 2027 HBCU Legacy Bowl will take place at Center Parc Stadium, bringing one of Black college football’s most important events to one of the nation’s most influential Black cultural and sports markets. In addition to the all-star game, the event will feature its annual Career Fair on February 26, 2027, followed by the HBCU Legacy Bowl on February 27, 2027.…

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