---
"title": "North Carolina Central celebrates HBCU national title with parade"
"description": "On a cool winter afternoon, the North Carolina Central football team shared in the revelry of its HBCU national championship with a parade through the streets of Durham. It has been more than a month since the Eagles knocked off Jackson State in Atlanta in the Cricket Celebration Bowl to capture the program’s first Black […]"
"date": "2023-01-22"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "HBCU Sports"
"url": "https://hbcusports.com/2023/01/22/north-carolina-central-celebrates-hbcu-national-title-with-parade/"
"categories":
  - "Football"
  - "News"
"tags":
  - "North Carolina Central"
---

# North Carolina Central celebrates HBCU national title with parade

On a cool winter afternoon, the North Carolina Central football team shared in the revelry of its HBCU national championship with a parade through the streets of Durham. It has been more than a month since the [Eagles knocked off Jackson State in Atlanta in the Cricket Celebration Bowl](https://hbcusports.com/2022/12/18/might-and-magic-how-north-carolina-central-won-the-celebration-bowl/) to capture the program’s first Black college championship since elevating to the FCS. Saturday’s parade and pep rally led the team through Durham neighborhoods to the entrance of O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium where the team displayed the MEAC and Celebration Bowl championship trophies.

> Here are a few quick pictures from today’s parade and pep rally for the North Carolina Central University 🦅 football team as we celebrate their HBCU national championship! [@NCCU](https://twitter.com/NCCU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@NCCUAthletics](https://twitter.com/NCCUAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/JmpXAiQaFL](https://t.co/JmpXAiQaFL)
>
> — Durham County, NC (@DurhamCounty) [January 21, 2023](https://twitter.com/DurhamCounty/status/1616855909518512129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

“I’m so proud of these guys. They know I love them to death and it means the world to me as alumni to bring this back not just to the nest but to the Bull City,” [said head coach Trei Oliver during an address to the public.](https://abc11.com/nccu-football-parade-pep-rally-hbcu-championship/12721847/) Several players enjoyed the overwhelming support from fans and the community along the parade route and pep rally.

> [\#NCCUCommunity](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCCUCommunity?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) | Check out photos from our 2022 Celebration Bowl/MEAC Championship Parade and Rally. | [\#NCCU](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCCU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#EaglePride](https://twitter.com/hashtag/EaglePride?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#NCCUAthletics](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCCUAthletics?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#Durham](https://twitter.com/hashtag/Durham?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#BullCity](https://twitter.com/hashtag/BullCity?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [\#NCCUPhotos](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NCCUPhotos?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) | VIEW MORE PHOTOS: [https://t.co/uABvv3zibT](https://t.co/uABvv3zibT) [pic.twitter.com/gQez6KCYwO](https://t.co/gQez6KCYwO)
>
> — North Carolina Central University (@NCCU) [January 22, 2023](https://twitter.com/NCCU/status/1616950354725289987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

“That’s something we always appreciated is you all coming out and supporting no matter what. That’s what got us through the season,” All-MEAC linebacker Khalil Baker told the crowd.