Latest news with #WSSU
Miami Herald
4 days 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
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU coaching legend receives highest academic honor
Nearly 50 years after starting his legendary career as a head football coach at Winston-Salem State University, Bill Hayes has received the highest academic honor from the was honored with an honorary doctorate from WSSU on Friday during its spring commencement ceremony on Friday morning. Serving as head coach from 1976 to 1987, Hayes compiled an impressive 89–40–2 record, making him the winningest coach in WSSU history until his record was broken by his former quarterback Kermit Blount. Under his leadership, the Rams secured three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships (1977, 1978, 1987) and five CIAA Southern Division titles. Notably, his 1977 and 1978 teams achieved back-to-back 11–1 seasons, with the 1978 squad advancing to the NCAA Division II playoffs. Hayes's coaching philosophy emphasized discipline, innovation, and relentless work ethic. He introduced the split-back veer offense and the wide tackle 6 defense to WSSU, strategies uncommon among HBCUs at the time. Despite limited resources and staffing-initially having only one assistant coach-Hayes built a formidable program through sheer determination and strategic eventually left WSSU for rival North Carolina A&T in 1988 and led it to three MEAC titles before his retirement in 2003. Beyond his coaching achievements, Hayes made significant contributions as an athletic administrator. After his coaching stint, he served as athletic director at North Carolina Central University, Florida A&M University, and returned to WSSU in 2010, where he oversaw the athletic department until his retirement in 2014. His administrative leadership further solidified his legacy in collegiate athletics. Hayes's impact on college football has been recognized through numerous honors, including induction into multiple halls of fame and the naming of the football field at WSSU's Bowman Gray Stadium in his honor. His career stands as a testament to his dedication to excellence and his profound influence on student-athletes and the broader HBCU sports community. The post HBCU coaching legend receives highest academic honor appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Rajah Caruth gaining momentum in 25 NASCAR season
Rajah Caruth, a rising star in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, is making waves both on and off the track in 2025. Driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports, Caruth secured a commendable third-place finish at the 250 at Texas Motor Speedway on May 2. The race, extended to 174 laps due to two overtimes, saw Caruth navigate through intense competition to clinch his second top-five finish of the season Beyond his racing achievements, Caruth's journey is deeply rooted in his academic and cultural background. In December 2024, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Motorsports Management from Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), an HBCU in North Carolina. WSSU is notable for being the only HBCU in the nation to offer such a program. Caruth's commitment to education while pursuing a demanding racing career exemplifies his dedication and resilience. Caruth's ascent in NASCAR is also significant in the context of diversity in motorsports. He is among the few Black drivers to have won a national series race, joining the ranks of Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace. His participation in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program has been instrumental in his development, providing opportunities to hone his skills and compete at higher levels As the 2025 season progresses, Rajah Caruth continues to demonstrate his prowess on the track and his commitment to representing HBCUs in the racing world. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring drivers from diverse backgrounds, highlighting the importance of perseverance, education, and representation in sports. The post Rajah Caruth gaining momentum in 25 NASCAR season appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
02-05-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
WSSU cheerleaders partner with vitamin company
Black Girl Vitamins (BGV), the leading wellness and nutrition brand created specifically for the unique nutritional needs of Black women, has announced an inspiring new partnership with HBCU Winston-Salem State University's (WSSU) acclaimed cheerleading team, the "Powerhouse of Red and White." The collaboration centers not only on nutrition and wellness but also on empowering the next generation of Black women to embrace their natural hair with pride and confidence. For centuries, Black women's hair has been subjected to rigid Eurocentric beauty standards. From the Tignon Laws of 1786 to the pervasive use of harmful chemicals and straightening tools, hair has been a battleground for identity and self-worth. These historical traumas have left behind layers of internalized racism and self-hate, making hair not just a style but a political and cultural statement. The effects are still seen today, especially in environments like competitive cheerleading-where only 17% of participants are Black women. Many cheer teams, including those led by Black coaches, still pressure athletes to wear straight or wavy extensions. This not only reinforces narrow beauty norms but also inflicts long-term damage on natural hair. WSSU's "Powerhouse of Red and White" has been a powerful exception. As an HBCU with a cheer team known for its dynamic routines, media presence, and cultural impact, WSSU is redefining what it means to be both polished and unapologetically natural. With over 385,000 social media followers and viral videos that have reached millions, the team has inspired Black women across the country to reclaim their curls, coils, and kinks on and off the field. "The Powerhouse of Red & White cheer program has had a long-standing tradition of representing the natural hair community," said Head Coach NeSheila Washington. "We teach our young ladies and gentlemen the importance of maintaining healthy hair. A major component of that is being mindful to feed your body essential nutrients daily. Taking a multivitamin is a huge support to a college athlete and ensures they have the tools to be successful on the field and court." Through this three-month partnership, BGV will provide every member of the team with its best-selling Hair, Skin & Nails vitamins , formulated with biotin, zinc, and other essential nutrients to promote healthy follicles, reduce breakage, and improve overall scalp health. The team will also receive products from BGV's Energy Bundle and Collagen Powder , designed to support joint health, energy levels, and bone strength-especially vital for student-athletes constantly moving, stunting, and performing. Beyond the supplements, BGV is outfitting the team with custom-branded sweatshirts, water bottles, and towels-tools that merge wellness and culture in everyday moments. This partnership represents a deeper alignment of values: holistic health, self-love, and celebrating what grows naturally. Although WSSU is just one of 107 HBCUs in the U.S., the Powerhouse team stands out for its visual and viral influence. Their leadership in natural hair representation makes their voice especially impactful in shifting beauty norms within Black communities. The collaboration with WSSU does not suggest that Black women must abandon hair extensions or protective styles. Instead, it celebrates the freedom to wear natural hair proudly-and to see it as beautiful, athletic, and worthy of the spotlight. Black Girl Vitamins continues to lead the way in health education, community empowerment, and tailored wellness solutions for Black women. With this partnership, the brand doubles down on its mission to help Black women thrive from the inside out. The post WSSU cheerleaders partner with vitamin company appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
29-04-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
HBCU student thanks athletic trainer for saving life
As Winston-Salem State University prepares to celebrate its 2025 graduates, one HBCU student-athlete is reminding the world that some of the most important people in your college journey don't stand at the podium - they stand by your side when it matters most. Nia James, a senior on the WSSU volleyball team, shared an emotional story of survival and gratitude directed at John Lavender, the university's longtime athletic trainer. In a touching social media post, she credited Lavender with saving her life following a near-fatal health scare in October 2022. After tearing nearly every ligament in her knee during volleyball season, James was later diagnosed with blood clots in her leg. One night, she experienced hours of severe chest pain. Lavender urged her to go to the emergency room - and when doctors initially tried to send her home, he demanded a CT scan. That test revealed life-threatening blood clots in all five lobes of her lungs. With her family hours away, Lavender stayed with her through the night. "Without the persistence, care, and knowledge of John and the amazing @wssu_at staff, I would not be here preparing to walk the stage in 10 days," James wrote. "Your impact is greater than you know." Lavender, a graduate of Elon University, has served Winston-Salem State since January 2013. In his role as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, he has become a trusted figure for generations of student-athletes, offering not just physical care, but personal support and advocacy. "People always ask why I got into this profession. This is a perfect example of my why," Lavender wrote on X. "We have an amazing AT staff at WSSU. I tell all our recruits/parents when their child comes to WSSU they become my child. I love my kids. I love my job." ? James' story is a powerful example of the close-knit, life-changing community found at her HBCU and so many others. The post HBCU student thanks athletic trainer for saving life appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
