HBCU Sports

Here are the Top 5 HBCU band halftime shows from Week 6 The Battle of the Bay between Hampton and Norfolk State was the flagship HBCU football event of Week 6. Because Week 6 also marked the first week of October, it kicked off an annual trend many of us enjoy during this time of year: homecoming. This week’s top 5 HBCU band halftime shows feature performances from the Battle of the Bay, a homecoming performance, and performances from the Gulf Coast Challenge, featuring Jackson State and Alabama A&M. Below are the top five HBCU band halftime shows of Week 6.

Here are the Top 5 HBCU band halftime shows from Week 6

The Battle of the Bay between Hampton and Norfolk State was the flagship HBCU football event of Week 6. Because Week 6 also marked the first week of October, it kicked off an annual trend many of us enjoy during this time of year: homecoming.…

Can Southern run it back? The Jaguars are preseason SWAC favorites Southern had a magical run to a SWAC championship and an NCAA tournament run a year ago. The Jaguars are expected to play deep into March again, following the team's selection as preseason favorites. Southern, which won 21 games and became the first SWAC program to win a women's NCAA tournament game, earned 265 total points and 14 first-place votes to secure the top spot in the poll.

Can Southern run it back? The Jaguars are preseason SWAC favorites

5 Games to Watch in Week 7 of the HBCU football season All eyes are on the SWAC East showdown between Jackson State and Alabama State in week seven of the HBCU footballs season in what many are dubbing the 'Game of the Year.' Elsewhere, the SIAC has a pair of matchups with championship implications while two contenders in the CIAA clash with a chance to taking a big step to punching their ticket to the title game. Here are the 5 Games to Watch in Week 7 of the HBCU football season. Clark Atlanta vs. Albany State When: October 11; Time: 1:00 p.m.

5 Games to Watch in Week 7 of the HBCU football season

All eyes are on the SWAC East showdown between Jackson State and Alabama State in week seven of the HBCU footballs season in what many are dubbing the 'Game of the Year.' Elsewhere, the SIAC has a pair of matchups with championship…

HBCU could be forced to have road named after conservative provocateur Charlie Kirk A Florida state representative has introduced a controversial bill requiring all public colleges and universities in the state to rename at least one roadway on their campuses in honor of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The bill, filed by Republican Representative Kevin Steele from Dade City, mandates that within 90 days of enactment, each institution's board of trustees must rename a prominently traveled road or segment on their campus to "Charlie James Kirk Road," …

HBCU could be forced to have road named after conservative provocateur Charlie Kirk

HBCU Chris-tal ball Picks: Will Week Seven be Heaven…or the other place for HBCU football teams? HBCU Football enters the second half of the season this weekend. SWAC/CIAA/SIAC play promises to be exciting while the MEAC is finally winding down their never-ending non-conference schedule. Week Seven will be a fun one to predict, but before your friendly neighborhood HBCU football prognosticator drops this week’s science, let’s look back at Week Six’s results. Week Six Record: 16-9…

HBCU Chris-tal ball Picks: Will Week Seven be Heaven…or the other place for HBCU football teams?

HBCU Football enters the second half of the season this weekend. SWAC/CIAA/SIAC play promises to be exciting while the MEAC is finally winding down their never-ending non-conference schedule. Week…

HBCU receives record gift during homecoming week One HBCU has an extra 5 million reasons to celebrate their homecoming this week. Arkansas-Pine Bluff was the recipient of a school-record $5 million donation from the Windgate Foundation, slated for an addition to the Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts Center. The addition will include new classrooms, studio space and gallery areas. UAPB Chancellor Anthony Graham says the gift will be transformational for the university.

HBCU receives record gift during homecoming week

One HBCU has an extra 5 million reasons to celebrate their homecoming this week. Arkansas-Pine Bluff was the recipient of a school-record $5 million donation from the Windgate Foundation, slated for an addition to the Hathaway-Howard Fine Arts…

HBCU expects to play homecoming game despite questions about opponent Alcorn State's homecoming football game is still scheduled for now, despite previous uncertainty about whether its opponent would participate. Speaking to reporters this week, Braves head coach Cedric Thomas said he was assured by school officials at Lincoln University-California that the Oakland-based team would be in Lorman for Saturday's game. “As of this (Monday) morning, everything’s on schedule — they’re set to arrive Friday and be here Saturday for the game,” Thomas said.

HBCU expects to play homecoming game despite questions about opponent

Bethune-Cookman men picked as preseason SWAC basketball favorite For the first time in seven years, Bethune-Cookman will open the season as the team to beat. The Wildcats were voted preseason favorites to win the conference title, collecting 12 of a possible 22 first-place votes in the league’s annual poll — their first top preseason selection since 2018, when they were members of the MEAC. Southern University and Jackson State rounded out the top three preseason picks, earning the second and third spots, respectively.

Bethune-Cookman men picked as preseason SWAC basketball favorite

Norfolk State & Michael Vick to play Howard at neutral site stadium Thanks to Michael Vick, a MEAC football game is being moved to a larger venue. Howard University and Norfolk State University are set to clash at Audi Field on Saturday, Nov. 22, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET in a contest billed as the Truth and Service Classic, presented by AT&T, and broadcast live on ESPN+. This anticipated matchup not only continues Audi Field’s five-year tradition as an HBCU football showcase in the nation’s capital but also marks the venue’s debut as a host for a regular-season college football game.

Norfolk State & Michael Vick to play Howard at neutral site stadium

Norfolk State predicted to win MEAC men’s basketball title again Norfolk State looks to repeat as MEAC men's basketball champions for the second time this decade and the preseason voters believe they can, naming the Spartans the conference's top team during Wednesday's media day event. Norfolk State led all teams with 118 voter points while Howard was picked second with 97 points. Rounding out the top four are last season's surprise team South Carolina State…

Norfolk State predicted to win MEAC men’s basketball title again

Norfolk State looks to repeat as MEAC men's basketball champions for the second time this decade and the preseason voters believe they can, naming the Spartans the conference's top team during Wednesday's media day event. Norfolk…

Blexit conservative group planning to invade HBCU campus homecomings Saying it wants to foster critical thinking and "challenge the status quo," a group of Black conservatives has scheduled an HBCU homecoming campus tour. Blexit—an organization founded by conservative commentator Candace Owens—is taking a tour called “Educate to Liberate” to 10 campuses this month. According to the Blexit website, the mission of the tour is about "sparking powerful conversations on HBCU campuses.”

Blexit conservative group planning to invade HBCU campus homecomings

Howard tops MEAC women’s hoops preseason poll The Howard women's basketball team has made the MEAC championship game each of the last five seasons, winning the championship in 2022, so it's no surprise the preseason voters expect them to make it back again this year. The Bison were selected as the top team in the MEAC women's basketball preseason polls with 118 points. Three-time defending champion Norfolk State was picked second with 107 points, while Maryland-Eastern Shore (93 points) and North Carolina Central (68 points) round out the top half of the rankings. Back to back preseason No.

Howard tops MEAC women’s hoops preseason poll

The Howard women's basketball team has made the MEAC championship game each of the last five seasons, winning the championship in 2022, so it's no surprise the preseason voters expect them to make it back again this year. The Bison were selected as the…

Breaking down Body vs. Morgan ahead of HBCU football’s biggest game Andrew Body and Jacobian Morgan are set to face off in what is probably the biggest game of the HBCU football season. The spotlight falls squarely on the two dynamic quarterbacks, each looking to make a statement for their respective teams, Alabama State and Jackson State, in a matchup that will decide which team wins the SWAC East. Morgan, of course, has already won a SWAC and HBCU national championship. He was also voted preseason SWAC Offensive Player of the Year. A win on Saturday would give the Tigers an inside track on another SWAC East championship.

Breaking down Body vs. Morgan ahead of HBCU football's biggest game

Another HBCU band bows out of ESPN competition Weeks after one HBCU band asked to be removed from the ESPN Red Lobster Band of the Year rankings, another band's director expressed the same position. Donovan V. Wells, director of Bethune-Cookman's Marching Wildcats, shared a post on Facebook Tuesday, accusing ESPN of "forcing" institutions into the contest. "Despite my repeated requests to exclude the Marching Wildcats, since the event's inception, my requests have been ignored," Wells wrote. "Instead, it feels as though we are being forced into competition. I cannot, in good conscience and as an educator, accept this rule of thought for the young women and men I represent in this band program."

Another HBCU band bows out of ESPN competition

Weeks after one HBCU band asked to be removed from the ESPN Red Lobster Band of the Year rankings, another band's director expressed the same position. Donovan V. Wells, director of Bethune-Cookman's Marching Wildcats, shared a post on Facebook…

How does DeSean Jackson’s first half as Delaware State football coach grade? A Hornet observer explains. The Delaware State football team has been through some massive changes in the last three years, including their third head coach in that time period, NFL all-pro and Super Bowl champion DeSean Jackson. Many outsiders wondered if Jackson was ready and willing for the task to rebuild a program that has not had a winning record in 13 years. Heading into their homecoming game against D2 Southern Connecticut State, the Hornets are 3-3, including a 3-game win streak that was the longest since their last winning season of 2012. As someone who grew up watching DelState football, covering the program as a student reporter and covering them again 20-plus years later for HBCU Sports (damn, I’m old), I believe I have the insight necessary to explain why this year is cause for hope in a dark, nearly 20-year period of futility.

How does DeSean Jackson’s first half as Delaware State football coach grade? A Hornet observer explains.

The Delaware State football team has been through some massive changes in the last three years, including their third head coach in that time period, NFL all-pro and Super Bowl champion DeSean…

CIAA Basketball Media Day: Virginia State men are the team to beat The Virginia State Trojans men's basketball team come in to the 2025-2026 season as the team to beat, being picked to finish atop the CIAA standings in the conference's predicted order of finish. The 2024-2025 season was a year of improvement for the Trojans, upgrading from an 8-9 record against the CIAA the previous year to a 13-3 record, earning the CIAA North division title.

CIAA Basketball Media Day: Virginia State men are the team to beat

The Virginia State Trojans men's basketball team come in to the 2025-2026 season as the team to beat, being picked to finish atop the CIAA standings in the conference's predicted order of finish. The 2024-2025 season was a year of…

CIAA Basketball Media Day: Fayetteville State women picked to three-peat Much is expected of the two-time defending CIAA Women's Basketball champion Fayetteville State Broncos, being selected to win a third straight title in the conference's predicted order of finish. Last season, the Broncos recorded their second straight 20-win season, finishing with a 21-8 overall record, including a 13-3 record against the CIAA. After taking down Bluefield State and Virginia Union in the first two rounds of the CIAA tournament, they claimed back-to-back CIAA titles after defeating Virginia State…

CIAA Basketball Media Day: Fayetteville State women picked to three-peat

Much is expected of the two-time defending CIAA Women's Basketball champion Fayetteville State Broncos, being selected to win a third straight title in the conference's predicted order of finish. Last season, the Broncos…

James Colzie is feeling the pressure to fix Florida A&M. Can he save the season? Florida A&M head coach James Colzie called the Rattlers performance so far “not acceptable” while placing the burden on himself to save the season. “We’ve got to be more consistent,” Colzie said during his weekly media session. “1 and 3 is not acceptable here at this institution — not acceptable for myself, not acceptable for that locker room. To stay as the head coach at most universities, you’ve got to win and have success to keep that seat.

James Colzie is feeling the pressure to fix Florida A&M. Can he save the season?

Meet Diego Ryland, the unsung hero of Virginia Union’s championship team

The Virginia Union Panthers' football team remarkable ascent to championship contention has been a story of consistency, trust, and belief. While many will rightfully credit head coach Dr. Alvin Parker, who was hired to take…

Michael Vick vows Norfolk State will not give up despite Spartans ‘beating ourselves’ In a season already marked by growing pains, Norfolk State head coach Michael Vick is facing mounting adversity. The former NFL star and newly minted head coach has watched his Spartans struggle to find a consistent footing on the field, hindered repeatedly by penalties that surface at crucial moments and ultimately derail drives and momentum. In his candid remarks following recent games, Vick did not hold back.

Michael Vick vows Norfolk State will not give up despite Spartans 'beating ourselves'

SWAC heavyweights collide in high-stakes Alabama State–Jackson State matchup When Alabama State and Jackson State meet on Saturday, it won’t just be another conference game. It’s a battle soaked in SWAC tradition, a contest with division title implications, and a nationally televised showcase for two of the league’s top programs. For Hornets head coach Eddie Robinson Jr., the matchup carries a dual perspective — a deep historical connection, and the present-day urgency of chasing a championship.

SWAC heavyweights collide in high-stakes Alabama State–Jackson State matchup

Morgan State Hail Mary loss blamed on poor ‘situational football,’ says Damon Wilson Morgan State head coach Damon Wilson didn’t mince words after Saturday’s heartbreaking loss at Georgetown, a game that slipped away in the final seconds due to what he called poor “situational football.” The Bears had battled back from a 14–0 first-half deficit to seize control late, but a last-second Hail Mary touchdown pass by the Hoyas turned a comeback into a crushing defeat.

Morgan State Hail Mary loss blamed on poor 'situational football,' says Damon Wilson

HBCU football brawl leads to 20 suspensions and fines from conference The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has issued suspensions and fines following a postgame altercation between the Fort Valley State University and Central State University football teams on October 4. SIAC Commissioner Anthony Holloman expressed his disappointment, stating, "Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct have no place in intercollegiate athletics or within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference." He lamented that the incident overshadowed what was otherwise a fiercely competitive game.

HBCU football brawl leads to 20 suspensions and fines from conference

HBCU Football Week 6 Takeaways: Jackson State and Alabama State on a collision course Week six of the HBCU football season ends with a strong teaser for the upcoming weekend, setting up what will be the Game of the Year in the SWAC in week seven. The CIAA champs are on the fast track to a third straight title game appearance thanks to what has been a monstrous streak by their star running back.

HBCU Football Week 6 Takeaways: Jackson State and Alabama State on a collision course

Week six of the HBCU football season ends with a strong teaser for the upcoming weekend, setting up what will be the Game of the Year in the SWAC in week seven. The CIAA champs are on the fast track to a third…

Ultimate HBCU Sports Division II Football Rankings – (Week 6) Week six of the Division II HBCU football season yielded results that prompted a significant shift in the rankings from the previous week. The biggest dropoff came from Livingstone, which suffered its first conference loss of the season against Elizabeth City State (first conference win of the year). Elsewhere, Virginia Union stayed undefeated in conference play with a win over Winston-Salem State,

Ultimate HBCU Sports Division II Football Rankings – (Week 6)

Week six of the Division II HBCU football season yielded results that prompted a significant shift in the rankings from the previous week. The biggest dropoff came from Livingstone, which suffered its first conference loss of the season…

The Ultimate HBCU Sports Division I Football Rankings (Week Six) Week Five went mostly by the letter in HBCU Division I Football, but one convincing win calls for a change at the top of the Ultimate HBCU Sports Division I poll. After that, not much more movement, but Week Six could bring a changing of the guard. Before we get there, here's our rankings after Week Five. 1. Jackson State (4-1) Last Week: Defeated Alabama A&M 57-24 in the Gulf Coast Challenge Up Next: vs. Alabama State, Saturday Oct. 11 The Tigers' offense looked otherworldly in handling AAMU in Mobile…

The Ultimate HBCU Sports Division I Football Rankings (Week Six)

Week Five went mostly by the letter in HBCU Division I Football, but one convincing win calls for a change at the top of the Ultimate HBCU Sports Division I poll. After that, not much more movement, but Week Six could bring a…

10 Most Attended Games from Week 6 of the HBCU football season The leader in the clubhouse in the attendance category for week 6 of the HBCU football season is Alabama State's high-scoring win over Bethune-Cookman. Alabama State vs. Bethune-Cookman: 24,736 South Carolina State vs. Savannah State: 24,322 Morehouse vs. Tuskegee: 14,586 North Carolina A&T vs. William & Mary: 12,783 Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M: 14,517 Hampton vs. Norfolk State: 9,710…

10 Most Attended Games from Week 6 of the HBCU football season

The leader in the clubhouse in the attendance category for week 6 of the HBCU football season is Alabama State's high-scoring win over Bethune-Cookman. Alabama State vs. Bethune-Cookman: 24,736 South Carolina State vs. Savannah State:…

HBCU Band Poll: Which band won the 2025 Battle of the Bay halftime show, Norfolk State or Hampton? Hampton and Norfolk State renewed their storied HBCU rivalry Saturday in the latest edition of the Battle of the Bay. The Spartans, led by first-year head coach Michael Vick, fell to 1-5 on the season after suffering a 41-34 loss to the Pirates. Hampton improved to 2-4 on the season. But when it comes to rivalries like these, there is another battle that is never determined by a final score, the halftime show between the two marching bands. We’ve found the halftime performances of the Hampton University Marching Force and the Norfolk State Spartan Legion.

HBCU Band Poll: Which band won the 2025 Battle of the Bay halftime show, Norfolk State or Hampton?

Hampton and Norfolk State renewed their storied HBCU rivalry Saturday in the latest edition of the Battle of the Bay. The Spartans, led by first-year head coach Michael Vick, fell to 1-5 on the…

1 dead, another injured in shooting at South Carolina State University A fatal shooting on the campus of South Carolina State University late Saturday night has left one student dead and another person injured. University officials confirmed that officers from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and campus police responded to reports of gunfire near the university’s student housing complex shortly after 11 p.m. According to authorities, the victim, whose name has not yet been released pending family notification, was pronounced dead at the scene. The injured individual was transported to the Regional Medical Center in stable condition. Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots during what appeared to be a confrontation near a parking area.

1 dead, another injured in shooting at South Carolina State University

HBCU homecoming marred by post-game fight HBCU homecomings usually happen in the spirit of fellowship and camaraderie, but unfortunately, one such game was not the case. Fort Valley State and visiting Central State exchanged blows in an ugly post-game brawl following the Marauders' 18-14 upset win over the Wildcats. Fort Valley State and Central State football teams got into a massive brawl at the conclusion of Fort Valley’s homecoming loss: pic.twitter.com/IfjYkarhBD — Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) October 4, 2025 The fight, which took the shine off CSU's second straight win under new head coach Tony Carter, capped a terrible week for Fort Valley State. The Blue Machine Marching Band was suspended, and members were criminally charged following allegations of hazing rituals.

HBCU homecoming marred by post-game fight

HBCU homecomings usually happen in the spirit of fellowship and camaraderie, but unfortunately, one such game was not the case. Fort Valley State and visiting Central State exchanged blows in an ugly post-game brawl following the Marauders' 18-14 upset win…