Sports
HBCU Commissioners Sound Alarm: College Sports at Risk as Congress Pushes Dangerous Policy
HBCU Athletics Under Attack? Leaders Warn Congress of Devastating Consequences
HBCU sports are at a breaking point—and Washington might be to blame. Just a few years after experiencing a resurgence, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are now facing policies that could cripple their athletic programs.
The commissioners of the four major HBCU conferences—MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, and CIAA—are calling on the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to intervene before it’s too late. Their warning? The growing movement to classify college athletes as employees could financially devastate HBCUs, forcing massive cuts to scholarships and programs.
A Direct Threat to HBCU Sports
If athletes become paid employees, schools will be forced to add them to payrolls—making them and the institutions subject to heavy taxation. Unlike powerhouse programs in the Power 4, most HBCUs don’t generate millions from media deals. Instead, they rely on school funds and donors—many of whom are already pulling back due to corporations slashing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
“We’re watching the dismantling of HBCU athletics in real-time,” said Anthony Holloman, SIAC commissioner. “These schools won’t be able to keep up.”
Even with recent partnerships, like the SIAC, CIAA, and SWAC streaming deals with Allen Media Group’s HBCU Go, HBCUs are still financially outmatched. Power 4 programs rake in billions from broadcasting rights, while HBCUs struggle to secure similar opportunities.
NIL and the Transfer Portal: Widening the Gap
HBCUs are also being left behind in the new era of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. While Power 4 athletes sign multimillion-dollar contracts, HBCU athletes are overlooked, making recruitment and retention even harder.
The extended NCAA transfer portal has made matters worse, with top HBCU athletes being poached by larger programs with deeper pockets. “We’re being used as a stepping stone,” Holloman admitted.
Congressional Black Caucus Steps In
CBC Chairwoman Yvette Clarke has agreed to meet with HBCU commissioners this month. Their plea? Federal intervention to stop a patchwork of state laws that are creating chaos in college athletics and harming HBCU programs the most.
“To ensure that college sports broadly—and HBCU sports especially—can continue to thrive, it’s essential that Congress affirm that student-athletes are not employees,” the commissioners wrote in their letter.
HBCU Sports at a Crossroads
Not long ago, HBCU athletics were thriving. Deion Sanders’ tenure at Jackson State brought national attention, and post-George Floyd donations helped programs expand. Morgan State even revived men’s wrestling under Olympic champion Kenny Monday.
But now, all of that progress is in jeopardy.
If Congress moves forward without HBCU voices in the conversation, the very foundation of HBCU sports could crumble. The commissioners’ message is clear: If Washington doesn’t act now, it will be responsible for the downfall of Black college athletics.
The question is—will Congress listen?
HBCU Cross Country Championship Season Is Coming: Dates and Locations for Five Conferences
By HBCU Original
October 7, 2026
Championship season is almost here, and HBCU cross country runners are preparing to put months of training to the test. Across the HBCUAC, CIAA, SWAC, MEAC and SIAC, the coming weeks will bring opportunities for athletes to earn individual titles and help their schools bring home conference championships.
For fans looking to follow the action, the championship calendar stretches from an October stop in New Orleans to a listed November meet in Georgia. Here is where things stand.
The HBCU Athletic Conference will hold its men’s and women’s cross country championships on Friday, October 16, at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation will host the event, with women competing in a 5K race and men taking on an 8K course. DJ Wild Wayne of Q93 will serve as the meet’s emcee and DJ, adding a local connection to championship day.
Next on the calendar is the CIAA, which will bring its men’s and women’s championships to Green Hill Park in Salem, Virginia, on Thursday, October 22. Fayetteville State enters the season as the defending conference champion on both sides after winning the men’s and women’s titles in 2025. That gives the rest of the conference a clear target as teams prepare for this year’s meet.
The SWAC will head to Tallahassee, Florida, for its men’s and women’s championships on Tuesday, October 27. Apalachee Regional Park is the scheduled site, bringing the conference’s distance runners together with team trophies and individual honors on the line.
The MEAC will close out October with its men’s and women’s championships on Friday, October 30, in Cary, North Carolina. North Carolina Central University will serve as the host, according to the conference’s championship schedule.
The SIAC championship date still needs clarification. Spring Hill College lists Friday, November 6, at the Georgia Premier Cross Country Course in Macon, Georgia. Clark Atlanta University also lists November 6 in Macon on its men’s and women’s schedules. However, LeMoyne-Owen College lists October 24 with the location undetermined. Fans and media planning to attend should confirm the final details with the SIAC before making travel arrangements.
Cross country may not always receive the same attention as football or basketball, but these championships deserve a place on the HBCU sports calendar. Every race brings a chance to recognize the runners putting in the work, the teams building competitive programs and the schools chasing conference pride.
For HBCU fans, October is about more than what happens inside the stadium. There are championships to watch out on the course, too.
HBCU Original’s Cross Country Watch List: 25 Runners Making Their Mark This Fall
Individual victories, school records and breakout performances are putting HBCU distance runners in the spotlight this fall.
HBCU Original’s latest watch list highlights 25 men’s and women’s runners representing the HBCUAC, MEAC, SIAC, SWAC and CIAA. These athletes have earned attention through meet results and conference recognition as the season moves deeper into October.
About this list: Selections reflect reported performances and weekly awards available through October 7, 2026. Athletes are grouped by men’s and women’s competition and are not listed in ranked order. Course conditions, distances and competition levels differ, so this is an editorial watch list rather than an official national poll.
Men’s runners to watch
Clinton Kipruto — Norfolk State | MEAC
Kipruto delivered an impressive victory at the Virginia Invitational, covering the 6K course in 17:39.0. The freshman’s second consecutive win came against a field that included a strong North Carolina contingent, giving Norfolk State a standout early-season result.
Ryan Achau — Jackson State | SWAC
Achau continued his winning run at the Nicholls Invitational, completing the four-mile race in 20:01.0 for his third consecutive individual victory. The freshman also collected his third SWAC weekly award, making him a compelling newcomer to follow.
Franklin Kipchirchir — Fayetteville State | CIAA
Kipchirchir has delivered both fast times and winning finishes. He placed second at the Queen City Invite with an 8K time of 24:45.5 before winning the Rams Atlantic Region Preview in 25:29.9.
Edwin Kiprono — Tuskegee | SIAC
Kiprono earned his third individual victory of the season at Twilight at PR’ville, finishing in 24:32.4. His roughly 30-second winning margin added another strong result to a season already featuring repeated trips to the front of the field.
Aaron Alukunyang — North Carolina Central | MEAC
Alukunyang won the Elon Opener’s 6K race in 18:57.6, finishing first in a field of 131 runners. He followed that performance with another victory at the Queen City Invite, winning the 8K race by 37 seconds.
Allan Kipkorir — Virginia Union | CIAA
The Virginia Union freshman claimed the CNU XC Invite title with an 8K performance of 25:33.4. That victory brought CIAA weekly recognition and gives Panthers fans a young runner to watch as the season progresses.
Hassan Kiplangat — Morehouse | SIAC
Kiplangat finished second at the Willie Laster Invitational, covering 8K in 28:03.5. The freshman helped Morehouse secure second place in the team standings and earned SIAC Runner of the Week recognition.
Javoun Goldsby — Wiley | HBCUAC
Goldsby has earned repeated HBCUAC recognition this season, with Wiley announcing his third Runner of the Week honor in early October. Those awards put him firmly on the radar as a runner to follow in the conference.
Jordan Ellman-Sanders — Voorhees | HBCUAC
Ellman-Sanders secured a ninth-place finish at the Winthrop Invitational and earned HBCUAC Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Week honors. The freshman’s top-10 performance gives Voorhees an encouraging individual result entering October.
Lekan Sotonwa — Delaware State | MEAC
Sotonwa defended home ground with a victory at the Delaware State Invitational. His winning 5K time of 15:14.4 supplied the Hornets with a strong individual highlight.
Banele Mkabela — Maryland Eastern Shore | MEAC
Mkabela opened with a third-place finish at the Salisbury Fall Classic, completing the 8K course in 24:57.0. As the Hawks’ leading finisher, he provided an early example of the scoring impact he can bring to the lineup.
Aden Ortega — Texas Southern | SWAC
Ortega recorded a time of 26:12.1 at the Chile Pepper Festival, earning recognition as the fastest SWAC freshman at the meet. The performance brought him the conference’s newcomer award.
Thierry Garcon — Prairie View A&M | SWAC
Garcon won the Bearkat Twilight with a time of 16:04.6 and earned SWAC Runner of the Week honors. The senior’s victory gave Prairie View A&M an individual title to build on early in the season.
Women’s runners to watch
Laura Avila — Alabama A&M | SWAC
Avila won her race at the Louisville Classic, completing the 5K in 18:20.2. Her performance helped Alabama A&M secure its third consecutive team victory and earned her SWAC Runner of the Week recognition.
Faith Kiplimo — Fayetteville State | CIAA
Kiplimo placed second at the Rams Atlantic Region Preview with a 6K time of 22:37.3. The sophomore’s podium finish earned CIAA weekly recognition and added to Fayetteville State’s strong showing on the distance course.
Rebecca Jansen — Delaware State | MEAC
Jansen captured the Delaware State Invitational title with a 5K time of 19:33.3. Finishing first among 44 runners, the sophomore delivered a home victory and earned MEAC Runner of the Week honors.
Alaysa Chipunov — Edward Waters | SIAC
Chipunov won the Brewton Parker Invitational in 20:39.52 over 5K. The freshman’s individual title helped Edward Waters finish third as a team and earned her SIAC weekly recognition.
Aliyah Williams — Alabama State | SWAC
Williams finished third at the Azalea City Classic with a season-best time of 18:32.57. The graduate runner collected her second consecutive SWAC Runner of the Week award following that performance.
Mira Martin — Howard | MEAC
Martin finished second at the Mount 5K Duals in 19:05.53, helping Howard capture the team title. Her podium finish also brought MEAC weekly honors.
Brea Vann — Albany State | SIAC
Vann posted a personal-best 6K time of 23:46.1 at the Georgia Tech XC Invitational. She finished 68th in a field of 147 runners and received the SIAC’s October 6 weekly award.
Crystal Coke — Morgan State | MEAC
Coke won the UMES Soaring Hawks Invitational in 21:24.86 and helped Morgan State take the team title. The senior’s victory earned MEAC Runner of the Week recognition.
Iyndia Bey — Alabama A&M | SWAC
Bey finished inside the top eight of her Louisville Classic race, recording a 5K time of 19:02.5. The freshman earned her second SWAC newcomer award while contributing to another Alabama A&M team victory.
Miranda McLean — Lincoln University (PA) | CIAA
McLean placed fourth at the UMES Invitational in 22:08.57. The senior helped Lincoln finish third in the team standings and received CIAA weekly recognition for her effort.
Rainn Sheppard — Winston-Salem State | CIAA
Sheppard finished second at the Blue Bear Invitational, covering the 3K course in 11:28.2. Her performance helped Winston-Salem State claim the team championship with 30 points.
Diosleydis Gutierrez — Allen | SIAC
Gutierrez made an immediate impact in her cross-country debut, setting a school record at the Yellow Jacket Invitational. The sophomore’s first race brought SIAC Runner of the Week honors and a memorable start to her season.
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Jackson State Takes No. 1 as Morgan State Climbs in HBCU Football Poll
Jackson State moved into first place in the BOXTOROW HBCU FCS Coaches Poll following games played through October 3, 2026.
The unbeaten Tigers received 163 points, edging South Carolina State by three. Morgan State climbed from seventh to third after defeating Villanova, 38 to 35.
Alabama State and Alabama A&M completed the top five. Delaware State landed sixth, while Bethune-Cookman entered the rankings at eighth.
Alcorn State and Norfolk State tied for tenth, giving this week’s poll 11 teams.
BOXTOROW Week 5 HBCU FCS Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State | 5–0 |
| 2 | South Carolina State | 5–1 |
| 3 | Morgan State | 4–1 |
| 4 | Alabama State | 3–2 |
| 5 | Alabama A&M | 4–2 |
| 6 | Delaware State | 3–3 |
| 7 | Grambling State | 3–2 |
| 8 | Bethune-Cookman | 3–2 |
| 9 | Prairie View A&M | 2–4 |
| T10 | Alcorn State | 3–3 |
| T10 | Norfolk State | 3–3 |
Rankings and records are from BOXTOROW’s Week 5 poll, reflecting games through October 3.
Johnson C. Smith Returns to No. 1 in HBCU Division II Football Poll
Johnson C. Smith reclaimed first place in the BOXTOROW HBCU Division II Coaches Poll after defeating Bluefield State, 51 to 0.
The Golden Bulls received eight first-place votes and 153 points. Edward Waters jumped from sixth to second after a 61 to 42 victory over Kentucky State, finishing just seven points behind Johnson C. Smith.
Virginia Union and Virginia State placed third and fourth. Kentucky State dropped to fifth, while Central State entered the rankings at ninth.
The movement creates a competitive picture as the season continues, with the top two teams separated by a narrow voting margin.
BOXTOROW Week 5 HBCU Division II Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnson C. Smith | 4–1 |
| 2 | Edward Waters | 5–1 |
| 3 | Virginia Union | 5–1 |
| 4 | Virginia State | 5–1 |
| 5 | Kentucky State | 4–2 |
| 6 | Benedict | 4–1 |
| 7 | Fayetteville State | 3–3 |
| 8 | Shaw | 4–2 |
| 9 | Central State | 3–3 |
| 10 | Albany State | 2–3 |
Rankings and records reflect games through October 3, 2026.
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