Connect with us

HBCU ORIGINAL

🦁🐺 HBCU Original — Lincoln & Cheyney Deliver Big Performances at Widener Schuylkill Showdown

HBCU ORIGINAL

Published

on

Philadelphia, PA — The Widener Schuylkill Showdown (Jan. 31–Feb. 1, 2026) at the Jane & David Ott Center served as a proving ground for regional indoor track & field talent, and HBCU programs Lincoln University (PA) and Cheyney University (PA) rose to the challenge with standout performances across sprints, hurdles, relays, jumps, middle distance, and throws.


🔥 Lincoln University (PA) Puts HBCU Track on Notice

Lincoln University delivered one of the most complete HBCU performances of the meet, highlighted by elite sprinting, record-setting marks, and relay dominance.

🥇 Men’s 4×400 Meter Relay — MEET HIGHLIGHT

Lincoln’s “A” relay squad (Nasir Scott, Devin James, Sahfi Reed, Carlo Johnson) captured 1st place in 3:14.87, earning:

  • Meet win

  • New HBCU #11

  • New NCAA DII #19

The Lions also showed depth with a “B” relay clocking 3:27.23, while a third squad was entered.


Sprint Power: Men’s 200m

Lincoln sprinters dominated the 200 meters with nationally ranked HBCU marks:

  • Devin James (FR)21.78 (New HBCU #52, New DII #75, Season Best)

  • Sahfi Reed (SO)21.85 (New HBCU #60, New DII #94)

  • Carlo Johnson (FR)21.87 (PR, New HBCU #64, New DII #98)

This trio solidified Lincoln as one of the fastest HBCU sprint groups indoors.


🏃‍♂️ 400m Strength

  • Nasir Scott (SR)50.49 (Season Best)

  • Lamine Kane (SO)51.04

  • Malachi Williams (SO)52.42


🚧 Hurdles & Jumps

Men’s 60m Hurdles

  • Terry McNeil (SR)8.44

  • Adam Green (JR)8.67

  • Sayeed Buie (FR)8.95

  • Jayden Jones (FR)9.81

Men’s High Jump

  • Adam Green (JR)1.83m (6-00.00)

Men’s Long Jump

  • Tehuti Cononver (SO)6.67m (21-10.75) (New HBCU #69)

  • Adam Green (JR)6.50m (21-04.00)


🏃‍♀️ Women’s Track Highlights

Women’s 60m

  • Darriel Whiting (FR)7.90

  • Shanna Todman (SO)8.52

Women’s 400m

  • Dayshana Kellogg (FR)59.25

  • Kenya Williams (SO)1:02.74 (PR)

  • Daleeah Alexander (FR)1:03.96

  • Paris Talley (JR)1:04.35

Women’s 800m

  • Aniya Whitfield (JR)2:31.78

  • Eternity Bellamy (SO)2:49.25


🏃‍♀️ Distance & Triple Jump Excellence

Men’s Mile

  • Thomas Jones (SO)4:34.92 (PR, New HBCU #41)

Women’s Mile

  • Madison Morgan (SO)6:01.69 (New HBCU #70)

  • Miranda McLean (JR)6:11.36 (New HBCU #80)

  • Isabella Wright (SO) — *6:29.02 (PR, New HBCU #88)

Women’s Triple Jump

  • Gabrielle Lanier (SO)11.27m (36-11.75)
    2nd place | New HBCU #43 | New DII #80 | Season Best


🔁 Women’s 4×400 Relays

  • Lincoln “A”4:04.26 (New HBCU #28, New DII #86)
    (Whiting, Whitfield, K. Williams, Kellogg)

  • Lincoln “B”4:13.86


🐺 Cheyney University (PA) Shows Growth & Freshman Impact

Cheyney University competed across sprints, middle distance, jumps, and throws, with freshmen playing key roles.

Top Highlight

Women’s Long Jump

  • Opeyemi Ojo (FR)5th place, 5.10m (16-08.75)
    Personal Record

Ojo also doubled on the track:

  • Women’s 60m8.57

🏃‍♂️ Men’s 800m

  • Yasir Logan (FR)2:12.16

🏋️ Throws

Men’s Shot Put

  • Benjamin Bell (JR)8.50m (27-10.75)

Women’s Shot Put

  • Kimberly Arias (FR)9.46m

  • MyAngel Salisbury (FR)9.32m

  • Demetria Williams (FR)6.24m

Cheyney’s participation across multiple disciplines reflects a program building depth and competitive confidence.

FULL RESULTS CLICK LINK 

We are dedicated to celebrating the rich history, vibrant culture, and enduring legacy of Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Our mission is to provide a platform that honors the invaluable contributions of HBCUs to higher education, social justice, and community empowerment. Through insightful articles, engaging narratives, and meaningful dialogue, we strive to amplify the voices, experiences, and achievements within the HBCU community. By fostering awareness, appreciation, and support for HBCUs, we aspire to inspire current and future generations to pursue excellence, equity, and inclusivity in education and beyond.

Campus

Howard Alumnus Chequan Lewis Takes the Helm as CEO of Crunch Fitness

HBCU ORIGINAL

Published

on

Former Mister Howard Chequan Lewis is bringing lessons in leadership, ambition and legacy from Howard University into his new role leading one of the world’s largest fitness brands.

Howard University alumnus Chequan Lewis has reached another major milestone in a career that has taken him from Washington, D.C. classrooms to executive leadership.

Lewis, a 2005 Howard graduate, has been named CEO of Crunch Fitness after previously serving as the company’s president. He now leads a global fitness organization with more than 550 locations and millions of members around the world.

It is a path Lewis admits he did not originally picture for himself.

When he graduated from Howard, Lewis had his sights set on politics and even dreamed of one day becoming President of the United States. Business leadership was not part of his original plan.

Still, the same ambition that pushed him toward politics eventually helped him build a career that included leadership roles at Pizza Hut and Crunch Fitness.

For Lewis, Howard University played a major role in preparing him to take advantage of opportunities he could not have predicted.

From Howard to Corporate Leadership

Lewis studied political science and economics at Howard, where he built an impressive record as a student.

During his time on campus, he served as Mister Howard, participated in student government, became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and graduated with a perfect GPA.

He credits the university with teaching him not to place limits on what he could accomplish.

That mindset became important as his career moved in directions far different from what he imagined as a college student.

Lewis later attended Harvard Law School before building experience in business and corporate leadership. He began his professional career at McMaster Carr Supply Company before eventually joining Pizza Hut U.S.

At Pizza Hut, Lewis served as chief operating officer and also became the company’s first chief equity officer. His responsibilities included operations, workplace culture, talent development and community impact.

Those experiences eventually helped lead Lewis to Crunch Fitness.

He joined Crunch as president in 2024 and helped oversee a major period of expansion for the company. Crunch grew into a systemwide business valued at approximately $1.5 billion before Lewis moved into the CEO position.

Building the Next Chapter of Crunch Fitness

As CEO, Lewis is responsible for the overall direction of Crunch Fitness.

His responsibilities include operations, branding, marketing, member experience, franchise relationships, innovation and global expansion.

Crunch currently operates clubs in the United States and international markets including Australia, Canada, Costa Rica and India.

Lewis expects the company to continue expanding rapidly, with hundreds of additional locations possible in the coming years.

But his vision goes beyond simply opening more gyms.

Lewis wants Crunch to become a brand that plays a meaningful role in people’s lives.

For him, fitness centers can become places where people improve their health, gain confidence, find employment opportunities and begin working toward a better version of themselves.

That larger purpose is something Lewis considers central to the next stage of Crunch’s growth.

Howard Remains at the Center of His Story

Although Lewis later attended Harvard, he continues to describe Howard as the institution that had the greatest influence on the leader he became.

Howard gave him more than an education.

It exposed him to Black history, culture, achievement and leadership while surrounding him with people who pushed him academically and personally.

Lewis has said the leadership qualities he carries today were shaped primarily by his family, his faith and Howard University.

His connection to the university remains strong.

In 2024, Lewis returned to Howard’s School of Business as part of its Executive Lecture Series. His presentation, Legendary: Powered by Legacy, gave him an opportunity to speak directly with students sitting in the same classrooms and walking the same campus he once did.

The moment carried special meaning because Lewis remembered visiting the School of Business as an undergraduate.

Although he was not a business student, he would notice the photographs of executives and business leaders displayed as part of the school’s Executive Lecture Series.

Years later, Lewis returned as one of the leaders invited to share his own journey.

For Lewis, leadership is also connected to what a person leaves behind.

He views legacy as more than what previous generations provide. It also includes what today’s leaders create and pass to the people coming behind them.

Choosing Howard

Lewis’ connection with Howard began before he ever arrived in Washington.

He grew up in an HBCU family with strong ties to Tougaloo College in Mississippi, where his parents met.

Many members of his family expected him to continue that tradition.

Lewis chose another direction.

His interest in politics attracted him to Washington, D.C., while Howard’s history attracted him to the university itself.

The accomplishments of Howard figures such as Thurgood Marshall, Charles Hamilton Houston, Andrew Young and Donny Hathaway helped Lewis see the university as a place where he could become the person he wanted to be.

As a top student coming out of Haltom High School in Texas, Lewis had several academic options. Still, he believed Howard was the right place to begin his college journey.

Looking back, he considers choosing Howard at 17 years old one of the most important decisions of his life.

A Message for the Next Generation

Lewis now uses his platform to encourage young people and future leaders to think beyond the careers they currently imagine.

His own journey demonstrates why.

The political science and economics student who once dreamed about running the country eventually became the leader of a billion dollar fitness organization.

Lewis encourages students to dream big while also developing the skills needed to turn opportunity into results.

He emphasizes preparation, authenticity, humility, intentional leadership and substance.

He also challenges younger leaders to aim beyond the accomplishments of the people they admire.

For Howard students, Lewis’ career represents another example of how an HBCU experience can prepare graduates to lead across industries they may never have originally considered.

His career has taken him from Howard University to Harvard Law School, Pizza Hut and now the top position at Crunch Fitness.

Through every chapter, Howard remains part of the foundation.

And as Lewis begins his tenure as CEO, his story continues to show that the path from an HBCU campus can lead almost anywhere.

Continue Reading

HBCU ORIGINAL

HBCU Football Classics and Homecomings Set the Stage for an Exciting 2026 Season

HBCU ORIGINAL

Published

on

HBCU football is more than just a game. Homecoming represents tradition, family, alumni pride, campus culture, and generations of memories coming together. Every fall, thousands of fans return to their campuses to celebrate their schools while supporting student-athletes on the field.

The 2026 HBCU football season will once again feature a strong lineup of homecomings across the country, including conference matchups, rivalry games, and special campus celebrations.

Here is the complete 2026 HBCU FCS Homecoming schedule.

Saturday, September 19

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Homecoming

Opponent: Virginia University of Lynchburg
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida


Saturday, October 3

Grambling State Tigers Homecoming

Opponent: Alcorn State Braves
Location: Grambling, Louisiana

Southern Jaguars Homecoming

Opponent: Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana


Saturday, October 10

Morgan State Bears Homecoming

Opponent: Robert Morris Colonials
Location: Baltimore, Maryland

North Carolina Central Eagles Homecoming

Opponent: William & Mary Tribe
Location: Durham, North Carolina

Alabama State Hornets Homecoming

Opponent: Florida A&M Rattlers
Location: Montgomery, Alabama

Delaware State Hornets Homecoming

Opponent: Franklin Pierce Ravens
Location: Dover, Delaware

Alcorn State Braves Homecoming

Opponent: Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes
Location: Lorman, Mississippi

Texas Southern Tigers Homecoming

Opponent: Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Location: Houston, Texas

Norfolk State Spartans Homecoming

Opponent: Virginia University of Lynchburg
Location: Norfolk, Virginia


Saturday, October 17

Howard Bison Homecoming

Opponent: Morehouse Maroon Tigers
Location: Washington, D.C.

Tennessee State Tigers Homecoming

Opponent: Morgan State Bears
Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Alabama A&M Bulldogs Homecoming

Opponent: Grambling State Tigers
Location: Huntsville, Alabama

Prairie View A&M Panthers Homecoming

Opponent: Alcorn State Braves
Location: Prairie View, Texas

Jackson State Tigers Homecoming

Opponent: Florida A&M Rattlers
Location: Jackson, Mississippi

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions Homecoming

Opponent: Alabama State Hornets
Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils Homecoming

Opponent: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Location: Itta Bena, Mississippi


Saturday, October 24

Hampton Pirates Homecoming

Opponent: Monmouth Hawks
Location: Hampton, Virginia

South Carolina State Bulldogs Homecoming

Opponent: Norfolk State Spartans
Location: Orangeburg, South Carolina

Florida A&M Rattlers Homecoming

Opponent: Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
Location: Tallahassee, Florida


Saturday, October 31

North Carolina A&T Aggies Homecoming

Opponent: Elon Phoenix
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina


Section 1B: Division II HBCU Homecoming Games to Watch

The HBCU football tradition continues beyond the FCS level. CIAA and SIAC programs will also host major homecoming celebrations featuring historic rivalries and conference competition.

Saturday, October 10

Morehouse Maroon Tigers Homecoming

Opponent: Savannah State Tigers

Albany State Golden Rams Homecoming

Opponent: Lane Dragons

Virginia State Trojans Homecoming

Opponent: Livingstone Blue Bears


Saturday, October 17

Clark Atlanta Panthers Homecoming

Opponent: Allen Yellow Jackets

Savannah State Tigers Homecoming

Opponent: Fort Valley State Wildcats

Fayetteville State Broncos Homecoming

Opponent: Elizabeth City State Vikings


Saturday, October 24

Bowie State Bulldogs Homecoming

Opponent: Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls


Saturday, November 7

Winston-Salem State Rams Homecoming

Opponent: Fayetteville State Broncos

Tuskegee Golden Tigers Homecoming

Opponent: Miles Golden Bears

Saturday, August 29

MEAC/SWAC Challenge

Alabama A&M Bulldogs vs. Howard Bison
📍 Atlanta, Georgia


Birmingham Football Classic

Southern Jaguars vs. Alabama State Hornets
📍 Birmingham, Alabama


John Merritt Classic

Jackson State Tigers at Tennessee State Tigers
📍 Nashville, Tennessee


Nature State Kickoff Classic

Morehouse Maroon Tigers vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions
📍 Little Rock, Arkansas


Saturday, September 5

Louis Crews Classic

Miles Golden Bears at Alabama A&M Bulldogs
📍 Huntsville, Alabama


Pete Richardson Classic

Kentucky State Thorobreds at Southern Jaguars
📍 Baton Rouge, Louisiana


HOPE Labor Day Classic

Edward Waters Tigers at Jackson State Tigers
📍 Jackson, Mississippi


Labor Day Classic

Lane Dragons at Alabama State Hornets
📍 Montgomery, Alabama


Sunday, September 6

Labor Day Classic

Texas Southern Tigers at Prairie View A&M Panthers
📍 Prairie View, Texas


Orange Blossom Classic

Florida A&M Rattlers vs. South Carolina State Bulldogs
📍 Miami Gardens, Florida


Saturday, September 12

Aggie-Eagle Classic

North Carolina A&T Aggies at North Carolina Central Eagles
📍 Durham, North Carolina


The Legacy Series

Tennessee State Tigers at Alabama A&M Bulldogs
📍 Huntsville, Alabama


Southern Heritage Classic

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs. Alcorn State Braves
📍 Memphis, Tennessee


Chicago Football Classic

Lincoln University (PA) Lions vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
📍 Chicago, Illinois


Saturday, September 19

Battle for Greater Baltimore

Morgan State Bears at Towson Tigers
📍 Towson, Maryland


Battle of the Bay

Hampton Pirates at Norfolk State Spartans
📍 Norfolk, Virginia


W.C. Gorden Classic

Tuskegee Golden Tigers at Jackson State Tigers
📍 Jackson, Mississippi


Saturday, September 26

State Fair Classic

Grambling State Tigers vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers
📍 Dallas, Texas


Boombox Classic

Southern Jaguars at Jackson State Tigers
📍 Jackson, Mississippi


Saturday, October 3

Battle of the Real HU

Truth and Service Classic

Hampton Pirates vs. Howard Bison
📍 Washington, D.C.


Gulf Coast Challenge

Alabama A&M Bulldogs vs. Jackson State Tigers
📍 Mobile, Alabama


Saturday, October 31

Magic City Classic

Alabama A&M Bulldogs vs. Alabama State Hornets
📍 Birmingham, Alabama


Saturday, November 21

Florida Classic

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. Florida A&M Rattlers
📍 Orlando, Florida


Capital City Classic

Jackson State Tigers at Alcorn State Braves
📍 Lorman, Mississippi


Thursday, November 26

Turkey Day Classic

Tuskegee Golden Tigers at Alabama State Hornets
📍 Montgomery, Alabama


Saturday, November 28

Bayou Classic

Grambling State Tigers vs. Southern Jaguars
📍 New Orleans, Louisiana

The Bayou Classic remains one of the most recognizable HBCU football events in the country, combining football, marching band traditions, alumni celebrations, and community events.


Championship Events

Saturday, December 5

SWAC Championship

SWAC East Champion vs. SWAC West Champion
📍 Campus Site


Saturday, December 12

Celebration Bowl

MEAC Champion vs. SWAC Champion
📍 Atlanta, Georgia

The Celebration Bowl will once again bring together the champions of the MEAC and SWAC in a nationally recognized postseason matchup celebrating HBCU football excellence.


Section 2B: Division II HBCU Classics to Watch

The HBCU football tradition continues throughout Division II with several major CIAA and SIAC events featuring historic programs.


Saturday, August 30

Red Tails Classic

Tuskegee Golden Tigers vs. West Alabama Tigers
📍 Montgomery, Alabama


Saturday, September 5

Port City Classic

Tuskegee Golden Tigers vs. Fort Valley State Wildcats
📍 Mobile, Alabama


Saturday, September 6

Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic

Albany State Golden Rams vs. Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls
📍 Canton, Ohio


Saturday, October 3

Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic

Morehouse Maroon Tigers vs. Tuskegee Golden Tigers
📍 Montgomery, Alabama


Sunday, November 8

Fountain City Classic

Fort Valley State Wildcats vs. Albany State Golden Rams
📍 Columbus, Georgia


Saturday, November 14

CIAA Championship

📍 Durham, North Carolina

SIAC Championship

📍 Location TBD

2026 Nonconference HBCU Matchups to Watch

Saturday, August 29

Morgan State Bears at North Carolina A&T Aggies

📍 Greensboro, North Carolina

The Bears and Aggies open the season with a matchup featuring two programs with strong HBCU football traditions.


North Carolina Central Eagles at Texas Southern Tigers

📍 Houston, Texas

A MEAC-SWAC matchup that brings together two programs looking to establish early momentum.


Howard Bison vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs

📍 Atlanta, Georgia

This matchup also serves as the 2026 MEAC/SWAC Challenge, bringing together two conference champions with national attention on opening weekend.


Sunday, September 6

South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. Florida A&M Rattlers

📍 Miami Gardens, Florida

Two traditional HBCU football powers meet in a matchup featuring championship-level history and conference pride.


Saturday, September 19

Hampton Pirates at Norfolk State Spartans

Battle of the Bay

📍 Norfolk, Virginia

One of the most anticipated rivalries in HBCU football returns as Hampton and Norfolk State battle for regional bragging rights.


Tennessee State Tigers at Florida A&M Rattlers

📍 Tallahassee, Florida

Two nationally recognized HBCU programs meet in a matchup featuring two proud football traditions.


Saturday, September 26

South Carolina State Bulldogs at Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

📍 Daytona Beach, Florida

A MEAC matchup featuring two programs with a history of competitive conference battles.


Saturday, October 3

Hampton Pirates vs. Howard Bison

Battle of the Real HU / Truth and Service Classic

📍 Washington, D.C.

A historic rivalry matchup between two universities that both proudly carry the Howard/Hampton “HU” identity.


Saturday, October 17

Morgan State Bears at Tennessee State Tigers

📍 Nashville, Tennessee

A late-season nonconference matchup bringing together two programs from different HBCU football traditions.


Regular Season MEAC vs. SWAC Matchups

The MEAC and SWAC will continue their historic conference rivalry during the 2026 season. Along with the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, four additional regular-season games will feature teams from both conferences.


Saturday, August 29

Howard Bison vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs

📍 Atlanta, Georgia

Conference Matchup: MEAC vs. SWAC


Saturday, August 29

North Carolina Central Eagles vs. Texas Southern Tigers

📍 Houston, Texas

Conference Matchup: MEAC vs. SWAC


Sunday, September 6

South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. Florida A&M Rattlers

📍 Miami Gardens, Florida

Conference Matchup: MEAC vs. SWAC


Saturday, September 26

South Carolina State Bulldogs at Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

📍 Daytona Beach, Florida

Conference Matchup: MEAC vs. SWAC


2026 HBCU Football Season Storylines

The 2026 season will once again showcase what makes HBCU football special: historic rivalries, passionate alumni, legendary marching bands, community celebrations, and nationally recognized football events.

From Labor Day classics to October homecomings and championship weekend, HBCU football will provide fans with opportunities to celebrate the culture and tradition that have defined Black college football for generations.

HBCU Original will continue following the season with game coverage, schedules, highlights, photos, and stories from across the HBCU football landscape.


SEO TITLE:

2026 HBCU Football Homecomings and Classics Schedule: Complete List of Games, Dates, Rivalries and Locations

META DESCRIPTION:

The complete 2026 HBCU football schedule featuring homecomings, classics, MEAC vs. SWAC matchups, Division II events, Celebration Bowl, and championship games.

SOCIAL MEDIA CAPTION:

🏈🔥 HBCU FOOTBALL IS BACK!

The 2026 season is loaded with legendary classics, unforgettable homecomings, historic rivalries, and championship moments.

From the MEAC/SWAC Challenge to the Bayou Classic, Florida Classic, Magic City Classic, Celebration Bowl, and everything in between, HBCU football tradition will once again take center stage.

📍 Save this schedule
📲 Share with your HBCU family
🏈 Follow HBCU Original for coverage all season long

#HBCUOriginal #HBCUFootball #BlackCollegeFootball #HBCUPride

 

Continue Reading

Campus

HBCU Athletic Conference Celebrates 988 Student-Athletes on 2025–26 Commissioner’s Honor Roll

HBCU ORIGINAL

Published

on

Continue Reading

Campus

Alabama State Receives Reduced NCAA Infractions Ruling, Will Serve Three Years of Probation

HBCU ORIGINAL

Published

on

Alabama State University’s long-running NCAA infractions case ended with a reduced classification after the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions ruled the matter as a Level I Mitigated case instead of the more severe aggravated designation.

The decision carries the minimum financial penalty allowed for a Level I violation: a $30,000 fine plus one percent of the football program’s budget, along with three years of probation. University officials said they accept the ruling and will not file an appeal, though they remain convinced the case never warranted one of the NCAA’s highest classifications.

“This confirms what we have maintained from the outset — this case was improperly elevated,” Alabama State representative Dr. Jason Cable said. “The underlying conduct, tied to the former Sports Information Director and head coach, simply does not justify placement among the most severe cases in collegiate athletics.”

The case centered on the alteration of competition statistics for one student-athlete during the 2019 football season. Alabama State acknowledged that a former sports information director changed the athlete’s statistics on the school’s athletics website, allegedly at the direction of the former head football coach.

However, after a contested hearing, the NCAA Committee on Infractions determined there was not enough evidence to hold the former coach personally responsible for directing the changes. Alabama State said its acceptance of responsibility was based solely on the actions of its employee and not on any finding against the former coach.

University officials also emphasized that the NCAA found no lack of institutional control or failure to monitor within the athletics department.

Despite the reduced classification, Alabama State President Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr. questioned the consistency of the NCAA’s enforcement process.

“While today’s decision is a downgrade from the Level I aggravated classification, we still believe that the scope of the penalty does not reflect the university’s involvement, or lack thereof, in this matter,” Ross said.

Ross pointed to what he called a significant disparity between Alabama State’s penalties and those issued to the University of Arizona. According to the university, Arizona, which certified the student-athlete’s eligibility and benefited competitively, received a Level III violation and a $500 fine, while Alabama State was assessed a Level I violation despite not certifying the player’s eligibility or receiving a competitive advantage.

“We believe the standards should be applied consistently across all institutions,” Ross said. “This case underscores the importance of fairness and accountability throughout the NCAA governance process.”

Ross also credited Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and General Counsel Kenneth Thomas for helping secure a reduction in what could have been more severe sanctions.

To address the issues identified during the investigation, Alabama State said it has already implemented several compliance measures, including revised statistical reporting procedures, expanded auditing practices, enhanced postgame reviews, and additional NCAA compliance education for athletics staff.

The university said those measures will remain in place throughout its probationary period.

With the case now officially resolved, Alabama State plans to move forward without an appeal.

“The institution is ready to begin its probationary period, fulfill all associated obligations, and direct its full energy to its student-athletes, its programs, and its future,” the university said.

Continue Reading

Campus

Tuskegee University Introduces New Student Policies Focused on Professionalism and Career Readiness

HBCU ORIGINAL

Published

on

TUSKEGEE, Ala. Tuskegee University is introducing new student policies focused on professionalism, academic success, and career readiness as the university prepares to welcome its largest incoming class in 32 years.

In a message to parents of incoming students, President Dr. Mark A. Brown announced updated expectations covering student attire, classroom attendance, and cellphone use.

Under the new dress code, students will not be permitted to wear bonnets, du rags, bedroom shoes, or revealing clothing in classrooms, the university cafeteria, or during official campus events, including Convocation. Students attending business meetings and other professional events will also be expected to wear business attire with appropriate footwear.

Brown said the goal is to help students prepare for life after graduation, not to limit their college experience.

“The goal here is not meant to restrict students from enjoying the Tuskegee Experience, but to prepare them with a solid foundation for the workforce they will enter once they leave Tuskegee.”

The university is also strengthening its classroom expectations. Cellphones must remain off during class unless an instructor allows their use, and attendance will be monitored more closely to encourage academic success.

As part of its expanded career readiness initiative, students will be expected to complete internships, identify professional certifications related to their career goals, and build a professional resume before graduation. Tuskegee currently offers more than 30 professional certification opportunities at no additional cost.

The new policies have already sparked conversations throughout the HBCU community. Some believe the changes continue the long standing tradition of preparing students for professional careers, while others question whether banning items such as bonnets and du rags reinforces outdated views of professionalism.

Founded in 1881, Tuskegee University has built a legacy of developing leaders in business, education, science, engineering, the military, and public service. University leaders say these updated expectations are intended to strengthen that tradition while helping students transition successfully into the workforce.

As students return to campus this fall, many will be watching to see how the new policies shape the student experience and whether they become a model for other HBCUs across the country.

Continue Reading

Trending Now