Latest news with #HBCU

Miami Herald
33 minutes ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU coach resigns as season nears
A fledging HBCU program is likely looking for a new leader. Toriano Morgan has reportedly stepped down from his position as Edward Waters University head football coach, according to Football Scoop. A former FootballScoop Minority Rising Stars honoree, has served as the head coach at Edward Waters since 2021. In that time, he oversaw the program's transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II and helped establish the Tigers as a competitive HBCU football program within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). He led Edward Waters to its first winning season in nearly two decades with a 6-4 record in 2023, and he finished with an 18-24 overall mark and a winning record in SIAC play. While sources told FootballScoop that Morgan is stepping away for personal reasons, he is expected to return to the coaching ranks soon and has already emerged as a sought-after candidate. A Florida native with previous college experience at Virginia State and a background as a high school coach in Fort Lauderdale, Morgan has been recognized nationally-including a selection to the NFL Coaching Academy. His departure leaves a major void at Edward Waters, which had hoped to build on its recent momentum as a rising HBCU football program. For Morgan, the resignation marks the end of a transformative chapter that elevated both the team and the university within the broader world of Division II and HBCU football. As Edward Waters prepares for the 2025 season, the team will have to compete under a new leader. EWU will open the season against Savannah State on Aug. 30. The post HBCU coach resigns as season nears appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025

Miami Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Former Tuba player returns to lead this CIAA Marching Band
Livingstone College alumnus Sir Davis is returning back to his HBCU in Salisbury, NC in a big way. The former Blue Thunder marching band member has been named the Executive Director of Band and Band Operations, bringing with him a renewed vision focused on discipline, innovation, and student success. His path now returns back to the competitive CIAA landscape and the East Coast HBCU Culture. Davis, who graduated from Livingstone in 2011, was once a tuba player in the Blue Thunder. Now, he's stepping into leadership with a clear mission: restore the storm and reestablish the band's reputation for musical excellence. 'When I was a student here, we prided ourselves on excellence. That foundation shaped me. Now it's time to pass it forward and raise the bar,' Davis said. Since earning his degree, Davis has become a respected music educator across the region. Most recently, he served as the band director at Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte. There, he revitalized the school's jazz program and led students to perform at the National Jazz Festival in Philadelphia and New Jersey-a first-time experience for many of them. 'I took a group that didn't think they'd ever get to that level-and they did. That's the kind of transformative experience I want to bring to Livingstone.' Davis joins Livingstone at a key moment. The HBCU band is set to debut brand-new uniforms, funded through generous support from alumni and community donors. With fresh resources and passionate leadership, Davis plans to build a competitive and well-equipped program. He's focused on excellence in every area-from halftime performances to concert ensembles. He also aims to elevate the band's profile by building partnerships with regional high school programs and preparing the Blue Thunder for events like the HBCU Battle of the Bands. 'I want people to say, 'Have you seen Livingstone?' That's the energy we're bringing back.' For Davis, it's about more than just music. 'This program is about relationships, discipline, and high expectations. I want our students to carry themselves with integrity-on and off the field.' Davis's deep ties to Livingstone give him a unique edge. As a student, he was involved in nearly every campus music outlet: jazz band, symphonic band, gospel choir, and local ministry. That experience, he said, makes this role especially meaningful. 'It's full circle. This campus shaped me, and now I get to shape the next generation.' Davis hopes to instill a standard of musical excellence without excuses. 'No matter the resources, you show up, you give your best, and you make no excuses. That's the standard I want Livingstone to represent.' The post Former Tuba player returns to lead this CIAA Marching Band appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025

Miami Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Relive Historic JCSU Turnaround with Brick x Brick Marathon
They built it brick by brick. Now it's time to binge it. HBCU Gameday is giving fans a front-row seat to the grind, the glory, and the growth of HBCU football. The network is running a Media Day Marathon of its hit original series, Brick x Brickwith JCSU Football. The binge-worthy broadcast streams live on the HBCU Gameday YouTube page at 11 a.m., following the CIAA Media Day broadcast. Whether you're a die-hard alum, a current student, or just here for the vibes, this is almost five hours of must-watch HBCU content. The series begins in 2022 with the first win under head coach Maurice Flowers. That game marked the start of a new chapter. The journey unfolds through every rep, rally, and setback, building to the final spring practice of 2025. This isn't your average highlight package. Brick x Brick dives deeper. It shows the early mornings, the long road trips, the heartbreak, and the hustle. It celebrates the coaches and student-athletes who are building more than just a football program - they're building a legacy. With HBCU Media Days taking place across the country, now is the perfect time to revisit the whole story. Each episode brings something new. From tense game weeks to quiet locker room moments, it tells the story of what it means to fight for greatness. It shows how HBCUs continue to shape elite athletes, powerful leaders, and unforgettable moments. The energy is raw. The storytelling is real. And the culture is front and center. Brick x Brick wth JCSU Football is more than a series. It's a reminder of what makes HBCU football special. The Media Day Marathon gives fans a rare chance to see the entire journey in one sitting. So grab your hoodie, fire up the group chat, and tune in-it's as fire as ever. The post Relive Historic JCSU Turnaround with Brick x Brick Marathon appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025


CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Pensole Lewis College, Detroit's only HBCU, blends history and design innovation
Did you know Detroit is home to the country's only Historically Black College focused entirely on design? Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC) is not only steeped in rich history, it's also redefining what higher education can look like. "Being able to be part of the reopening of an HBCU in the city of Detroit is beyond humbling," Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, president of Pensole Lewis College, said. Dr. Edwards didn't stumble upon PLC by accident. He's a visionary footwear designer who became the school's majority stakeholder in 2021, years after it closed in 2015 due to struggles adapting to a changing, tech-driven landscape. PLC was originally founded as Lewis Business College in 1928 by Dr. Violet T. Lewis, who opened the school in Indianapolis to support the development of Black secretaries. A Detroit branch followed in 1939. In 1987, it officially became an HBCU, one of just a handful established by a Black woman. "You have the second Black college, opened by a Black woman, in the city of Detroit," Dr. Edwards said. Enrollment soared growing by 600%, but the rise of the digital age outpaced the school's infrastructure. "The school couldn't adapt to the computer generation of the '80s and '90s," Edwards explained. "And so the school ultimately had to close." In 2021, Edwards renamed the school the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, combining its historical foundation with a new, design-focused future. "That was important because HBCUs didn't traditionally focus on design," Edwards said. Today, PLC is anything but traditional. It partners directly with major companies like Nike, New Balance, and Carhartt to co-create curriculum, giving students hands-on experience and faster pathways to employment. "That reduces the break-in time," said Edwards. "It makes our students more employable, faster." Beyond producing the next generation of designers, Edwards says the school is rooted in something bigger: community. "I want people to feel like this is their college," he said. "Because without the city, there is no college."

Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
ESPN TV schedule to showcase Jackson State and Southern heavily
The 2025 SWAC football television schedule has been officially released, with ESPN set to showcase some of the most high-profile HBCU matchups of the season. The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), one of the top conferences in Black college football, will have its games featured across ESPN's family of networks-highlighting fierce rivalries, iconic classics, and rising and Jackson State Lead the Way Two of the SWAC's marquee programs-Southern University and Jackson State-are at the forefront of this year's TV slate. Southern, the defending SWAC West Division champion, will kick off the HBCU football season in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge against North Carolina Central on August 23rd. The matchup will air nationally on ABC at 7:30 p.m. EST, setting the tone for an action-packed State, the 2024 SWAC champion with an undefeated conference record, is scheduled to appear in at least four ESPN games, in addition to its four games on HBCUGo. That includes major showdowns against Southern (Boom Box Classic), Florida A&M, Alabama State, and Alcorn State-all rivalries with deep SWAC roots. These games reflect Jackson State's status as a national draw in HBCU football. Classic Matchups Return to National SpotlightSeveral of HBCU football's most beloved classics return to the national spotlight: Orange Blossom Classic: Howard vs. Florida A&M (Aug. 30 on ESPNU)Magic City Classic: Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M (Oct. 25)Florida Classic: Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 22) These games bring not only on-field intensity but also cultural pageantry that defines HBCU football at its best. Full Coverage Across ESPN PlatformsThe schedule features games on ESPN+, ESPNU, ABC, and other platforms, ensuring comprehensive coverage for fans across the country. The 2025 Pepsi SWAC Football Championship Game will air live on ESPN2 on Saturday, December 6, followed by the Cricket Celebration Bowl on ABC a week later, where the SWAC champion will face the MEAC A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, and Grambling State also appear multiple times, reinforcing the strength and balance across the conference. With ESPN's continued commitment to HBCU sports and the SWAC's growing national footprint, the 2025 football season is poised to be one of the most exciting yet. The post ESPN TV schedule to showcase Jackson State and Southern heavily appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025