HBCU Sports announced its nominees for the 2nd Annual HBCU Sports Awards on Tuesday. The program features 46 categories honoring individual, team, and administrative achievements across the entire HBCU athletics landscape.
Alabama State and Howard University lead all schools with 16 nominations each. Norfolk State and Jackson State also had double-digit nominations, with 15 and 13 nominations, respectively.
“The growth and response to our second annual awards program has been incredible,” said HBCU Sports Founding Editor and Publisher Kenn Rashad. “The quality and depth of nominees across all categories truly demonstrates the exceptional talent and leadership throughout HBCU athletics. We’re proud to continue elevating these outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who represent the very best of our institutions.”
The awards ceremony will honor achievements in various sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, golf, track and field, cross country, bowling, and volleyball. Additionally, the event recognizes excellence in athletic administration, media relations, and the band culture that is synonymous with HBCU athletics.
The show will be streamed live on YouTube on the HBCU Sports channel on Saturday, July 26, at 2:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. ET).
Below is the complete list of all nominees.
2025 HBCU Sports Awards Nominees
Women’s Soccer Player of the Year
- Olivia Ankrom, Shaw
- Isabella Dillow, Texas Southern
- Rachel Suttle, Howard
- Alyssa Taylor, Texas Southern
- Giftee Tor, Southern
- Luci Schroeder, Xavier U. (La.)
- Annalisa Vincent, Talladega
Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year
- Kiersten Eggleton, West Virginia State
- Dakotah Holmes, Fort Valley State
- Reagan Jones, Fisk
- Jannice Lynch, Bluefield State
- Rya McKinnon, Howard
- Kylee Owens, Prairie View A&M
Softball Player of the Year
- Taylor Ames-Alexander, South Carolina St.
- Ameenah Ballenger, Howard
- Kamryn Broussard, Grambling State
- Coreena Dunham, Bowie State
- Lindsey George, Bowie State
- Lauren Haskins, Stillman
- Monica Rose, Tuskegee
Baseball Player of the Year
- Daniel Figueroa, Bethune-Cookman
- Torry Jones, Edward Waters
- Miguel Oropeza, Talladega
- Emory Stephens, Albany State
- Cardell Thibodeaux, Southern
- Brayden Thomas, Savannah State
- Justin Journette, Norfolk State
Bowler of the Year
- Maya Avilez, North Carolina A&T
- Jayda Gordon, Prairie View A&M
- Jenna Knight, Alabama State
- Ericka Reed, Fayetteville State
- Paige Rockwell, Fayetteville State
- Kiersten Michel, Norfolk State
Defensive Football Player of the Year
- Isaac Anderson, Virginia Union
- Benari Black, Johnson C. Smith
- Ckelby Givens, Southern
- Andrew Jones, Grambling State
- Robert McDaniel, Jackson State
- Elijah Williams, Morgan State
- Lashon Young, Miles
Offensive Football Player of the Year
- Jada Byers, Virginia Union
- Brevin Caldwell, Johnson C. Smith
- Draylen Ellis, Tennessee State
- Irv Mulligan, Jackson State
- Eric Phoenix, South Carolina State
- J’Mari Taylor, North Carolina Central
- David Wright III, Clark Atlanta
Women’s Basketball Player of the Year
- Joy Campbell, Xavier U. (La.)
- Taleah Dilworth, Jackson State
- Jordyn Dorsey, North Carolina A&T
- Diamond Johnson, Norfolk State
- Mikayla Woods, Langston
- Nya Morris, Claflin
- Taliah Wesley, Allen
Men’s Basketball Player of the Year
- Jamal Gibson, Southern-New Orleans
- Blake Harper, Howard
- Jordan Hinds, Bluefield State
- Amarr Knox, Alabama State
- Alvin Miles, Miles
- Brian Moore Jr., Norfolk State
- Sterling Young, Florida A&M
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year
- Shamia Jones, Alabama State
- Ja’Neisha Collins, Philander Smith
- Jewel Cross, Talladega
- Anaya Martin, Tuskegee
- Rose Muturi, Virginia State
- Peninah Mutisya, Hampton
- Joslyn Crosby, Howard
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year
- Javoun Goldsby, Wiley University
- Brian Kemei, Morehouse
- Victor Kibet, Bethune-Cookman
- Franklin Kipchirchir, Virginia Union
- Andrew Kiplagat, Jackson State
- Meshack Kuyo, North Carolina Central
Women’s Golfer of the Year
- Trinity Ahing, North Carolina Central
- Paris Fieldings, Howard
- Salma Ibrahim, Southern
- Lucia Parada, Alabama State
- Kathryn Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
Men’s Golfer of the Year
- Alexander Hambleton, Bluefield State
- Jose Berenguel, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Jamal Hutchinson, North Carolina Central
- Sascha Robinson, Florida A&M
- Marcus Smith Jr., Howard
- Micah Stangebye, Kentucky State
- Niall Bagnell, Alabama A&M
Women’s Tennis Player of the Year
- Sofya Chursina, South Carolina State
- Natalya Ogunwale, Albany State
- Ekin Ozmen, Bluefield State
- Sara Rakim, Florida A&M
- McKenna Wheatley, Xavier U. (La.)
- Kesmat El Tawil, Alabama State
Men’s Tennis Player of the Year
- Mikael Carpenter, Morgan State
- David Jeanne-Grandinot, Alabama State
- Jackson McIlwain, Morehouse
- Lucas Coupo-Moison, North Carolina A&T
- Nereo Suarez, Xavier U. (La.)
Women’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year
- Savoria Anderson, Prairie View A&M
- Jada David, Benedict
- Andreana Graham, Florida Memorial
- Tia Jackson, Morgan State
- Yassine Kamara, Bowie State
- Spirit Morgan, North Carolina A&T
- Julieth Nwosu, North Carolina A&T
- Domanique Knowles, Fayetteville State
Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year
- Joseph Briscoe, Virginia State
- Jayden Burris, Voorhees
- Xavier Partee, North Carolina A&T
- Roman Smith, Southern
- Wesley Tyndall, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Zach Washington, Benedict
- Christopher Watson, Dillard
- Andrew Betton, Coppin State
Women’s Track & Field Runner of the Year
- Alyvia Brown, Texas Southern
- Joslyn Crosby, Howard
- Jewel Cross, Talladega
- Shaneal Clarke-Giddings, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Anaya Martin, Tuskegee
- Rose Muturi, Virginia State
- Jaymee Yelton, Huston-Tillotson
Men’s Track & Field Runner of the Year
- Kirk Dawkins, Florida A&M
- Brian Kemei, Morehouse
- Ian Kimutai-Ruot, Edward Waters
- Andrew Kiplagat, Jackson State
- Zion Murry, Claflin
- Decquan Nisbett, Talladega
- Gidion Sigei, Norfolk State
Women’s Track & Field Sprinter of the Year
- Nya Blocker, Florida A&M
- Kevell Byrd, Dillard
- Kailei Collins, Howard
- Shantae George, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Charnessa Reid, Winston-Salem State
- Marcia Sey, Howard
- Shevanae Thomas, Lincoln (Mo.)
Men’s Track & Field Sprinter of the Year
- Jarrett Gentles, Coppin State
- Sharim Hamilton, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Kibren Moore, Albany State
- Jordan Pierre, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Jamarion Stubbs, Alabama State
- Isaiah Taylor, North Carolina A&T
- Tyson Williams, Johnson C. Smith
Female Student-Athlete of the Year
- Kesmat El Tawil, Alabama State
- Nia Gibson, Fayetteville State
- Janiya Harmon, Virginia State
- LillieAnn Hollom, Kentucky State
- Cassidy Lowe, Dillard
- Chidubem Okwudibonye, Delaware State
- Alaya Rhodes, Mississippi Valley State
Male Student-Athlete of the Year
- Jared Achuff, Bowie State
- George Aguilera, Miles
- Shandee Brooks, Lincoln (Mo.)
- David Buggs, Florida Memorial
- Juan Cruz, Alabama State
- Christopher Flippin, Maryland-Eastern Shore
- Myles Johnson, Hampton
Baseball Coach of the Year
- Kendrick Biggs, Wiley
- Marcos Dominguez, Talladega
- Scot Hemmings, Albany State
- Jonathan Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman
- Reginald Johnson, Edward Waters
- Jamey Shouppe, Florida A&M
Bowling Coach of the Year
- Andrew Chatmon, Alabama State
- Tiffany Clark, Prairie View A&M
- Barry Doyle, Southern
- Robert Henderson, Fayetteville State
- Kim Terrell-Kearney, North Carolina A&T
Cross Country Coach of the Year
- Clyde Duncan Sr., Texas Southern
- Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State
- Willie Hill, Morehouse
- Nile Legania, Dillard
- Eric Pilcher, Tougaloo
- Kenneth Taylor, Albany State
- Inez Turner, Fayetteville State
Football Coach of the Year
- Chennis Berry, South Carolina State
- Eddie George, Tennessee State
- Jarrail Jackson, Texas College
- Dr. Alvin Parker, Virginia Union
- Bobby Rome, Florida Memorial
- Sam Shade, Miles
- T.C. Taylor, Jackson State
Golf Coach of the Year
- Mike Grugin, Kentucky State
- Quincy Heard, Alabama State
- Bobby Pope, Southern
- Sam Puryear, Howard
- Mike Rice, Florida A&M
- E. Lee Coble, Virginia Union
- Roger Toten, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year
- Pete Asmond, Miles
- Bo Browder, Xavier U. (La.)
- Tyreece Brown, Fayetteville State
- Alico Dunk, Stillman
- Carlos Funchess, Southern
- Larry Vickers, Norfolk State
- Chris Vincent, Langston
Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year
- Lonnie Blow Jr., Virginia State
- Jimmy Drew, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Robert Jones, Norfolk State
- Tony Madlock, Alabama State
- Joseph Price, Dillard
- Fred Watson, Miles
- Chris Wright, Langston
Soccer Coach of the Year
- Kendall Ayers, Texas Southern
- Ashley Cordeiro, XULA
- Jeremy Fontenot, Southern
- Brent Leiba, Howard
- Randy McClure, Shaw
- Junior Noel, Talladega
Softball Coach of the Year
- Vernon Bland, Prairie View A&M
- Kevin Montgomery, Jackson State
- Angie Nicholson, Norfolk State
- Joel Penfield, Stillman
- Ed Powell, Bowie State
- Dietrich Randle, Tuskegee
- Tori Tyson, Howard
Tennis Coach of the Year
- Anuk Christiansz, Alabama State
- Tim Dunford, Bluefield State
- Hernan Geria, Jackson State
- Alan Green, Xavier U. (La.)
- Gregory Green, Tuskegee
- Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State
- D. Curtis Lawson, North Carolina Central
Track & Field Coach of the Year
- Garfield Ellenwood, Florida A&M
- Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State
- Allen Johnson, North Carolina A&T
- David Oliver, Howard
- Yhann Plummer, Xavier U. (La.)
- Kenneth Taylor, Albany State
- Victor Thomas, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Antonio Wells, Winston-Salem State
Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year
- David Brooks, Delaware State
- Angela Franke, Dillard
- Verniece Graham, Albany State
- Avery Moore, West Virginia State
- Jonathan Paulk, Shaw
- Amanda Walker, Virginia State
- LaShaunda Spurgeon, Talladega
- Gokhan Yilmaz, Florida A&M
Best Social Media Presence
- Alabama A&M
- Albany State
- Grambling State
- Jackson State
- Norfolk State
- Wiley University
Best Broadcaster
- Charles Edmond, Alcorn State
- Kyle Borg, Coppin State
- Ross Gordan, Norfolk State
- Thai Floyd, Alabama A&M
- Rob Jay, Jackson State
- Michael Truilo, Bethune-Cookman
Sports Information Director of the Year
- Derek Bryant, Howard
- Adrian Ferguson, Fayetteville State
- Andrew Glover, Wiley University
- Brian Howard, Alabama A&M
- Travis Jerome, Jackson State
- Scott Wallace, Fisk
Conference Media Relations Director of the Year
- Anna Butzlaff, CIAA
- Dani Wright, HBCUAC
- Patricia Porter-Mayfield, MEAC
- Jaymonte McLeod, SIAC
- Andrew Roberts, SWAC
Conference Commissioner of the Year
- Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, HBCUAC
- Anthony Holloman, SIAC
- Dr. Charles McClelland, SWAC
- Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA
- Sonja Stills, MEAC
Athletic Conference of the Year
- Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA)
- HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC)
- Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
- Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
- Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Athletic Director of the Year
- Anthony Bennett, Fayetteville State
- Dr. Paul Bryant, Alabama A&M
- Dr. Jason Cable, Alabama State
- Ashley Robinson, Jackson State
- Etienne Thomas, Winston-Salem State
- Melody Webb, Norfolk State
- Terrance Whittle, Stillman
Athletic Program of the Year
- Alabama State
- Dillard
- Fayetteville State
- Howard
- Norfolk State
- Tuskegee
- Virginia State
Band of the Year
- Alabama State
- Jackson State
- Norfolk State
- North Carolina A&T
- Savannah State
- Southern
- Texas Southern
- Virginia State
Lifetime Achievement Award: Female
- Patricia Cage-Bibbs (Grambling, Hampton, North Carolina A&T)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Male
- Rod Broadway (North Carolina Central, Grambling, North Carolina A&T)
