One of the United States’ oldest HBCUs is considering a return to the gridiron.
Wilberforce University announced last week that a feasibility study was underway regarding reviving the school’s football program, which was discontinued during World War II.
“As Wilberforce prepares to surpass 1,000 students in enrollment by 2026, it’s time to revisit the legacy and potential of our football program,” said Dr. Vann R. Newkirk, President of Wilberforce University. “Rising enrollment is prompting this study, and we believe football could be a powerful catalyst for student engagement, school pride, and institutional visibility.”
Wilberforce’s Green Wave won the 1931 Black College National Championship with an 8-0 record, including stopping Tuskegee’s 35-game win streak in a game played in Chicago, Illinois. The program was canceled in 1944.
The feasibility study will include infrastructure, funding/resources, student interest and alumni/local partnerships.
“This isn’t just about football,” Newkirk explains. “It’s about reclaiming a legacy, energizing our campus, and showing the world that Wilberforce is ready to lead again—on and off the field.”
Wilberforce hopes to resume play for the 2027 season.
