Tag: HBCU Football

Former TSU Coach L.C. Cole Raises Alarm Over Missing 1998 and 1999 Championship Trophies

Brandon King

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Tennessee State University football coach L.C. Cole is asking the Tennessee State community for help after learning that the program’s 1998 and 1999 championship trophies are reportedly missing. Cole shared the news with Tennessee State fans on social media, urging anyone with information about the trophies’ whereabouts to come forward. “Tennessee State Fans I just got word that our 1998 and 1999 championships trophy’s are missing,” Cole wrote. Cole emphasized that the trophies represent more than just awards. They are reminders of the accomplishments of Tennessee…

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Stillman College Brings Back Tiger Football After Overcoming Financial Challenges

Brandon King

After more than a decade away from the gridiron, Stillman College is set to bring back Tiger football, marking a major milestone in the institution’s athletic revival. The program was discontinued following the 2015 season after the college made the difficult decision to eliminate nearly all athletic programs except men’s and women’s basketball because of severe financial challenges. At the time, school leaders said the cuts were necessary to stabilize the institution’s finances and ensure the college’s long-term future. Now, with the college on stronger financial footing, Stillman is preparing…

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Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Announces Matchups Through 2029, Featuring Jackson State, Morgan State and South Carolina State

Brandon King

The future of one of HBCU football’s premier opening weekend showcases is now set. The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff has officially announced its featured matchups for the next three seasons, with Morgan State, Jackson State, Norfolk State, South Carolina State, Alabama State and Alcorn State all slated to take center stage in nationally televised contests. The annual event continues to serve as a marquee showcase for Historically Black Colleges and Universities while highlighting the longstanding rivalry between the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). 2027: Morgan…

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South Carolina State Favored to Repeat as MEAC Champion in 2026 Preseason Poll

Brandon King

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has released its 2026 preseason football poll and preseason all-conference teams, with South Carolina State entering the season as the favorite to defend its conference crown. The Bulldogs received 49 points and five first-place votes to claim the top spot in the preseason predicted order of finish. North Carolina Central finished second with 42 points and one first-place vote, while Delaware State garnered 40 points and two first-place votes, setting up what could be a tightly contested race atop the conference standings. Morgan State was…

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Virginia Union Picked to Win CIAA as Conference Unveils 2026 Football Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason All-CIAA Team

Brandon King

irginia Union enters the 2026 football season as the team to beat after being voted the preseason favorite in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Predicted Order of Finish, announced during CIAA Football Media Day. The Panthers edged defending CIAA champion Johnson C. Smith for the top spot in voting conducted by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association. Fayetteville State was picked to finish third, followed by Virginia State and Winston-Salem State to round out the top five.  2026 CIAA Predicted Order of Finish Johnson C. Smith led all programs…

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2026 SWAC Football Predicted Order of Finish Released: Alabama State, Prairie View A&M Picked as Division Favorites

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has released its 2026 football predicted order of finish, with Alabama State and Prairie View A&M earning the top spots in their respective divisions following voting from conference coaches and media. East Division Predicted Finish Rank Team Points First-Place Votes 1 Alabama State 131 16 2 Jackson State 122 7 3 Bethune-Cookman 71 — 4 Florida A&M 70 — 5 Alabama A&M 66 1 6 Mississippi Valley State 29 — Alabama State enters the 2026 season as the favorite in the East Division after receiving…

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How an NCAA Technicality Could End Victory Vaka’s College Football Career

Brandon King

This is one of the more troubling college football stories to emerge this offseason. According to CBS Sports, former Texas Southern defensive tackle Victory Vaka left Western Kentucky after his mother unexpectedly passed away in April. He attended her funeral on May 9 and believed he had approval from the program to remain home before returning in June. However, on May 27, WKU informed him that his scholarship had been canceled.   The biggest issue isn’t just losing his scholarship—it’s how the school processed his departure. Western Kentucky reportedly classified…

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South Carolina State, Johnson C. Smith Headline Inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll

Brandon King

Defending HBCU champions South Carolina State and Johnson C. Smith have been voted No. 1 in the inaugural 2026 Preseason Black College Football Poll, making history as the first programs to top the newly established national rankings. The poll, which is endorsed by the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA and SIAC, provides an official weekly ranking of HBCU football programs across NCAA Division I (FCS) and Division II. The rankings are determined by a panel of HBCU head coaches and media members and are designed to become the definitive benchmark for Black…

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SWAC Announces 2026 Football Preseason Awards: Andrew Body, Kam Sallis Earn Top Honors

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has officially unveiled its 2026 Football Preseason Awards and All-SWAC teams, with Alabama State quarterback Andrew Body and Jackson State defensive back Kam Sallis earning the league’s top individual honors. Body was voted the 2026 SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after leading one of the conference’s most dynamic offenses last season. The Hornets signal-caller also earned First Team All-SWAC honors at quarterback. In just eight games during the 2025 campaign, Body completed 113 of 160 passes (70.6%) for 1,770 yards, 20 touchdowns, and…

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SWAC Announces 2026 Football Media Day Attendees

Brandon King

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has officially released the list of head coaches and student-athletes who will represent each program at the 2026 SWAC Football Media Day, set for July 15 in Birmingham, Alabama. The annual event serves as the unofficial kickoff to the SWAC football season, featuring preseason storylines, player availability, and the release of the predicted order of finish. Each of the 12 member institutions will be represented by its head coach along with two student-athletes. 🏈 2026 SWAC Football Media Day Attendees Alabama A&M Alabama State Alcorn State…

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