Latest news with #HBCUGameday
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
HBCU has new construction project for first time in 20 years
Clark Atlanta University is starting 2025 with a major milestone: the construction of a brand-new Student Success Center-the first new building on the HBCU campus in more than 20 years. "We are ready to go," said Clark Atlanta University President George French Jr., in an interview with WSB-TV. Bulldozers are already on site, preparing the ground for the $12 million project, which is designed to support the university's rapidly growing student population. Interest in the university has skyrocketed, with 48,000 applicants competing for just 1,200 spots in the incoming class. "Those 48,000 students had an average-those admitted-GPA of 3.71. Hence, we had to have student services like this for them," French said. The new 48,000-square-foot Student Success Center will house academic advisors, tutors, and programs aimed at helping students thrive. It will offer support with study skills and guidance on how to navigate college life-ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed from day one. French emphasized that the HBCU is focused on maintaining both the quality and quantity of its student body, and this project is a major step in that direction. "It's been over 20 years since we had construction on the campus. We're super, super excited," he said. The new Student Success Center is expected to open in fall 2026. The post HBCU has new construction project for first time in 20 years appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU track power rising picks up honors, transfers
HBCU powerhouse Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is celebrating a historic postseason after capturing the 2025 CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The Rams' momentum continued on the national stage, with multiple honors for both athletes and coaches, further cementing WSSU's rise in HBCU track and field. At the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships in Pueblo, Colorado, WSSU athletes Charnessa Reid and Brianna Benloss delivered standout performances. Benloss ran a personal-best 11.39 in the 100m prelims to qualify for the finals, finishing ninth overall and earning Second Team All-American honors. Reid, meanwhile, placed fourth nationally in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.35, securing First Team All-American status. Reid's dominance this season-undefeated in collegiate hurdles competition and victorious at the CIAA Championships-also earned her the title of USTFCCCA Division II Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year. WSSU assistant coach Paula Salmon, in her first season, was named Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year after leading WSSU's sprinters and hurdlers to five CIAA titles, ten school records, and 23 NCAA provisional marks. Adding to the momentum, HBCU standout Candace Morris is transferring to WSSU from West Virginia State. Morris, a First Team All-American in the 60m dash during the indoor season, also swept the 100m and 200m titles at the Mountain East Conference Outdoor Championships. Her arrival gives WSSU even more firepower heading into 2025. WSSU continues to showcase the strength and depth of HBCU athletics on the national stage, with its women's track program earning accolades and attracting elite talent. With All-Americans, championship hardware, and elite transfers, WSSU is setting the standard for HBCU excellence in track and field. The post HBCU track power rising picks up honors, transfers appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Former HBCU HC joins NFL coaching fellowship
Former Norfolk State University head coach and HBCU mainstay, Dawson Odums, is taking the next step in his coaching career, joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as part of the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship. This prestigious initiative provides minority coaches with invaluable experience working alongside professional teams during offseason programs and training camps. Odums, a respected figure in HBCU football, brings a wealth of experience to the Jaguars. He most recently led Norfolk State from 2021 to 2024. In his debut season, he guided the Spartans to a 6-5 record, their first winning campaign since 2007. His ability to turn around programs and build strong teams has earned him recognition across the HBCU community. Before Norfolk State, Odums had an impactful nine-year tenure as head coach at Southern University. There, he captured multiple SWAC West Division titles and was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 2013. He also served as an assistant coach at several institutions, including Gardner-Webb University, Georgia Southern University, Clark Atlanta University, Bethune-Cookman University, and North Carolina A&T State University. This wide-ranging experience has equipped Odums with a deep understanding of both player development and program building. A native of Shelby, North Carolina, Odums was a standout defensive lineman at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he served as team captain and earned All-CIAA honors. He holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from NCCU. Odums' selection for the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship highlights the increasing impact of HBCU coaches in the NFL. Other notable HBCU coaches who have participated in the fellowship include Connell Maynor (Alabama A&M), Trei Oliver (North Carolina Central), and Buddy Pough (South Carolina State). These coaches have not only strengthened the bridge between HBCU programs and the NFL but have also inspired future generations of players and coaches. The Bill Walsh Fellowship provides participants with hands-on experience during NFL training camps and offseason programs. This exposure helps minority coaches refine their skills, expand their networks, and prepare for future opportunities in professional football. Odums will join Ari Confesor and Anthony Gaitor as part of the Jacksonville Jaguars' fellowship group. Together, they will collaborate with the coaching staff, learn advanced strategies, and contribute to the team's development throughout the offseason. The post Former HBCU HC joins NFL coaching fellowship appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Jackson State woman kicker turns pro, stays at HBCU
Leilani Armenta, the trailblazing kicker for Jackson State University, is taking her talents to the professional ranks while continuing to pursue her degree at the HBCU that helped shape her journey. Armenta announced via social media on Saturday that she will join the Mississippi Panthers of the Women's National Football Conference (WNFC), marking a new chapter in her already groundbreaking career. The Jackson State standout became a familiar name in college football as one of the few women to compete in college football at the NCAA level. Despite entering the transfer portal after her playing future at Jackson State was thrown into uncertainty, Armenta chose to stay anchored at the HBCU, citing the institution's academic excellence and the opportunity to complete her degree. "While I never anticipated not playing at Jackson State, the decision was ultimately out of my hands," Armenta wrote. "My education has always been my primary focus, and Jackson State has provided me with a top-tier academic experience that I am proud of." Instead of transferring to another school, Armenta took an unexpected turn - going pro. By joining the WNFC, she not only remains in Mississippi but also continues to advocate for women in football, a cause she has long championed. "As someone who has always been and will always be an advocate for women in sports - especially in football - I am honored to represent both my university and the WNFC," she added. Armenta's move signals a growing recognition of women's contributions to football, both on and off the field. Her decision to turn professional without leaving her HBCU behind highlights the unique opportunities that institutions like Jackson State can provide to student-athletes. "This journey is about more than just me," Armenta concluded. "It's about pushing the boundaries for women in sports, seizing opportunity, and staying true to both purpose and passion." The post Jackson State woman kicker turns pro, stays at HBCU appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Bethune-Cookman battles hard, falls short at NCAA Regional
Bethune-Cookman Baseball saw its 2025 season come to a close over the weekend in the NCAA Tournament's Tallahassee Regional, falling to Florida State and Northeastern in a pair of hard-fought contests. The Wildcats opened the regional Friday against No. 9 national seed Florida State. Despite out-hitting the Seminoles 10-6, B-CU came up short in a 6-2 loss marked by a two-hour weather delay. Sophomore right-hander Joel Core stayed on the mound through the delay, striking out seven over seven innings. Jorge Rodriguez delivered a key two-run single to tie the game early, but FSU responded with a pair of home runs, including a two-run blast from Myles Bailey that put the Seminoles ahead for good. Saturday's elimination game against No. 19 Northeastern was a heartbreaker. The Wildcats battled back twice to tie the game, but the Huskies scored two runs in the top of the ninth to escape with a 4-3 win. A solo home run and a B-CU defensive miscue proved costly, although the Wildcats mounted a last-inning threat. With runners in scoring position and the SWAC Co-Hitter of the Year Andrey Martinez at the plate, the Huskies closed it out with a strikeout. Martinez led the Wildcats with a 2-for-5 performance and an RBI, while Daniel Figueroa and Darryl Lee contributed key hits in the effort. Bethune-Cookman finishes its season with a 37-23 record and a SWAC championship title. Head Coach Jonathan Hernandez, named 2025 SWAC Coach of the Year, praised his team's grit and composure on the national stage. Bethune-Cookman Baseball NCAA Tournament 2025 may have ended in defeat, but the Wildcats showcased resilience and promise for the future of the program. The post Bethune-Cookman battles hard, falls short at NCAA Regional appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
