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Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU swim program adds record breaking talent to roster
Amira Washington, a standout sprinter from New Jersey, has committed to joining the Howard University Bison swimming program for the 2026–27 season. Her decision strengthens the only HBCU with a Division I swim team and adds to the program's growing national profile. Washington is currently a senior at Red Bank Regional High School. She also trains with the YMCA of Greater Monmouth County. Her primary events include the 50 and 100 freestyle, butterfly, and backstroke. These are key sprint disciplines that align well with Howard's competitive strengths. At the 2025 YMCA Short Course Nationals, she set a personal best in the 100-yard freestyle. In 2024, she competed at the YMCA Long Course Nationals, recording times of 28.20 in the 50-meter free, 1:01.41 in the 100 free, and 28.77 in the 50 fly. She reached the A-finals in both the 50 fly and 50 back. Her high school performances have also stood out. In January 2025, she won the 100 back and placed second in the 100 fly at the Shore Conference Tournament. Both races shattered her own personal best and reset school records that already had her name on them. This consistency across high-level meets makes her one of the top HBCU swim commits in her class. "I am beyond blessed to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Howard University! I would like to thank God along with all my family, friends, and coaches for supporting me through this journey and making my dream a reality. I'd also like to thank Coach Nic for giving me this incredible opportunity. GO BISON!!!" Washington joins a Howard program that is experiencing upward trends. At the 2025 Northeast Conference (NEC) Championships, the Bison women finished just 43 points behind the champions. With Washington's best short-course times-26.51 in the 50 fly, 56.59 in the 100 fly, 24.19 in the 50 free, and 53.00 in the 100 free-she could have qualified for multiple A- and B-finals. This commitment reflects a broader trend in collegiate athletics. More elite Black athletes of all sports are choosing HBCUs as spaces where they can thrive both athletically and culturally, experiencing the unique campus culture that these institutions offer. Coach Nic Askew continues to build a strong recruiting pipeline at Howard, and Washington's addition is another step in that direction. Her presence will not only enhance the visibility of HBCU swimming in the pool but also increase its visibility nationwide. As Howard aims for a conference title, Washington looks ready to make waves and represent with purpose. The post HBCU swim program adds record breaking talent to roster appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
New Haven transitions to D1, joins Northeast Conference
College Sports New Haven transitions to D1, joins Northeast Conference The University of New Haven accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference on July 1 and will begin transitioning from Division II to Division I. "We are thrilled to welcome the University of New Haven to the Northeast Conference family," NEC commissioner Noreen Morris said in a statement Tuesday. "Making the move to Division I is a bold step, and we're honored that New Haven chose to take that step with us. From the start, it was clear that they share our values -- putting academics, competitive excellence and the student-athlete experience at the forefront." The addition of New Haven will bring the NEC's membership up to 10, as the school joins Central Connecticut, Chicago State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Le Moyne, Long Island, Mercyhurst, Saint Francis, Stonehill and Wagner. However, Saint Francis will move down to Division III after the 2025-26 academic year. New Haven was a member of the Northeast-10 Conference and sponsors 20 varsity sports. Most notably, the Chargers will compete in football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball, field hockey, women's lacrosse, women's tennis and men's and women's golf. The NEC said New Haven will be integrated into the league's athletic schedules for 2025-26 with the exception of football. As a reclassifying school, New Haven will be allowed to participate in NEC championships in cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field right away. The other sports will be allowed to compete for NEC championships in either 2026-27 or 2027-28. The Chargers won't be eligible to qualify for NCAA championships until 2028-29, at the end of their three-year reclassification period. New Haven women's basketball won the Division II championship in 1987, and the men's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals as recently as 2023. "This is about positioning ourselves at the highest level," New Haven athletic director Devin Crosby said in a statement. "The University of New Haven's momentum under President (Jens) Frederiksen's leadership aligns naturally with our transition to NCAA Division I and the Northeast Conference. The Blue & Gold deserve this." --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM.
Reuters
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
New Haven transitions to D1, joins Northeast Conference
May 6 - The University of New Haven accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference on July 1 and will begin transitioning from Division II to Division I. "We are thrilled to welcome the University of New Haven to the Northeast Conference family," NEC commissioner Noreen Morris said in a statement Tuesday. "Making the move to Division I is a bold step, and we're honored that New Haven chose to take that step with us. From the start, it was clear that they share our values -- putting academics, competitive excellence and the student-athlete experience at the forefront." The addition of New Haven will bring the NEC's membership up to 10, as the school joins Central Connecticut, Chicago State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Le Moyne, Long Island, Mercyhurst, Saint Francis, Stonehill and Wagner. However, Saint Francis will move down to Division III after the 2025-26 academic year. New Haven was a member of the Northeast-10 Conference and sponsors 20 varsity sports. Most notably, the Chargers will compete in football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball, field hockey, women's lacrosse, women's tennis and men's and women's golf. The NEC said New Haven will be integrated into the league's athletic schedules for 2025-26 with the exception of football. As a reclassifying school, New Haven will be allowed to participate in NEC championships in cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field right away. The other sports will be allowed to compete for NEC championships in either 2026-27 or 2027-28. The Chargers won't be eligible to qualify for NCAA championships until 2028-29, at the end of their three-year reclassification period. New Haven women's basketball won the Division II championship in 1987, and the men's basketball team advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals as recently as 2023. "This is about positioning ourselves at the highest level," New Haven athletic director Devin Crosby said in a statement. "The University of New Haven's momentum under President (Jens) Frederiksen's leadership aligns naturally with our transition to NCAA Division I and the Northeast Conference. The Blue & Gold deserve this."
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Howard continues to build HBCU golf dynasty
College Sports Howard continues to build HBCU golf dynasty Sam Puryear wanted to create an HBCU golf power at Howard University, though there had not been a team there in decades before he was hired. His vision was to build a team to dominate the MEAC and compete on the national stage with the country's top golf programs. With golf no longer being sponsored by the MEAC, the team had to find a conference alliance to continue to build the dormant program. Under Puryear's guidance, the team came back with a buzz. Armed with the support of future NBA Hall of Famer Steph Curry, the program has been invested at levels unseen in the HBCU society. Some of the top black golfers in the country descended on Washington, D.C., to be a part of the historic rebuild. "We achieved every goal I set out to achieve at this point," Puryear said. "I wanted people to understand that we could be competitive in a world that, you know, we weren't accustomed to. I had a goal of not only making the NCAAs, but being competitive in the NCAA." While the program has been building since returning to NCAA play in the 2020-2021 season, it has been making strides to become not only the best HBCU golf program in the country but also one of the best golf programs in the country as a whole. Back to Back Champs It all began to fruition last season as the Bison won their first-ever Northeast Conference title. They would repeat the feat last weekend as they became NEC champions for the second consecutive time. The Bison will head to the Amherst Regional to pursue the NCAA golf championship. The Bison dramatically won this year's title. Down seven strokes going into the final round, Howard University put together a round for the ages at the Kingsmill Resort (par-71, 6,831 yards) in Williamsburg, Va. Howard shot 8-over-par (860), finishing with a 289 (+3) on the final day. The most significant part of coaching HU through their come-from-behind victory down the home stretch of the NEC championship came down to motivation. " Honestly, I told the guys we just had to go out and be the best version of ourselves. I felt like the young guys played really well on the first day. But yet at the very end of the first day, we lost six shots on the last two holes. We had some self-inflicted wounds. I told the team to stay the course." The Bison made the All-Tournament team for their efforts in winning the NEC title. Bear Huff, Marcus Smith, Jr., Cassius Blake, and Mathis Perroni made the squad for their stellar performances in Williamsburg. The post Howard continues to build HBCU golf dynasty appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025 This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
University of New Haven accepts invitation from Northeast Conference, moving to NCAA D1
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — The University of New Haven is set to join the Northeast Conference (NEC), according to an announcement made by school officials Tuesday. After accepting a full membership invitation from the Northeast Conference (NEC) Council of Presidents, the university will begin its transition to NCAA Division I and the NEC during the 2025-26 academic year. It will not include football at first. THIS WEEK IN CONNECTICUT: University of New Haven president looks to the future The Chargers are set to have full D1 membership in 2028-29, following the NCAA-mandated reclassification period. 'We are thrilled to welcome the University of New Haven to the Northeast Conference family,' NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris said in a statement. 'Making the move to Division I is a bold step, and we're honored that New Haven chose to take that step with us. From the start, it was clear that they share our values – putting academics, competitive excellence and the student-athlete experience at the forefront,' Morris continued. Rickie Fowler to play 2025 Travelers Championship The university has been a member of the Northeast-10 (NE10) Conference since 2008. New Haven sponsors varsity programs, including 19 that algin with NEC sponsored sports, officials said The Chargers will become the NEC's tenth full-time member. Central Connecticut State University is also a charter member. New Haven's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Devin Crosby said the move is about positioning the school at 'the highest level.' 'The University of New Haven's momentum under President Frederiksen's leadership aligns naturally with our transition to NCAA Division I and the Northeast Conference. The Blue & Gold deserve this,' Crosby said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
