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?
The SWAC delivered one of the biggest championship storylines of the season as Jackson State and Florida A&M claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
Jackson State shocked the conference by capturing the men’s championship, powered by explosive sprint performances and clutch relay execution. The Tigers built momentum throughout the meet and held off late pushes to secure a historic breakthrough title.
On the women’s side, Florida A&M continued its championship tradition, controlling the meet with consistent scoring across sprints, hurdles, and field events. The Rattlers’ depth once again proved decisive as they stayed ahead of a competitive field to claim another SWAC crown.
Two different stories — one breakthrough, one dynasty — defined the SWAC season.
The SIAC championships belonged to Morehouse and Tuskegee as both programs delivered complete team performances to claim the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
On the men’s side, Morehouse controlled the meet from start to finish, scoring consistently across sprints, distance, and field events to build separation early. The Maroon Tigers maintained their advantage through the final events, sealing another conference championship built on depth and execution.
On the women’s side, Tuskegee continued its dominance with a back-to-back SIAC championship performance. The Golden Tigers delivered strong scoring across sprints, relays, and field events, holding off the field once again to repeat as conference champions.
Together, Morehouse and Tuskegee set the standard in SIAC track & field heading into postseason competition.
The HBCUAC championship meet marked a new era as Voorhees and Dillard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles in defining early conference performances.
Voorhees secured the men’s championship through consistent scoring across sprints, middle distance, and field events, proving to be the most complete team in a tightly contested meet.
Dillard followed on the women’s side with a strong all-around effort, highlighted by relay execution and key individual performances that helped them control the championship race from start to finish.
The HBCUAC now begins its competitive identity with two early benchmark programs setting the standard.
The MEAC once again ran through two familiar powers as Norfolk State and Howard claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field championships in dominant fashion.
On the men’s side, Norfolk State continued its conference dynasty, securing its fifth straight MEAC outdoor title. The Spartans delivered across sprints, hurdles, and relays, using depth and execution in the final events to separate from the field and close out another championship run.
On the women’s side, Howard extended its own reign of dominance, stacking points across distance races, field events, and relays to secure another MEAC crown. The Bison’s balance and consistency across all disciplines once again proved too much for the rest of the conference.
MEAC dominance remains firmly in the hands of Norfolk State and Howard heading into postseason competition.
The CIAA saw strong championship performances on both sides as Virginia Union and Winston-Salem State claimed the 2026 outdoor track & field titles.
Virginia Union controlled the men’s meet with steady scoring across sprints, middle distance, and field events, building enough separation to hold off challengers and secure the championship.
On the women’s side, Winston-Salem State continued its strong run in CIAA competition, delivering a balanced performance highlighted by relay strength and consistent event scoring to secure another conference title.
CIAA track & field continues to run through two established powers at the top of the conference.
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