HBCU Sports announced its nominees for the 2026 HBCU Sports Awards on Tuesday. The program features 46 categories honoring individual, team, and administrative achievements across the entire HBCU athletics landscape.
Howard University leads all schools with 20 nominations. Fayetteville State and Jackson State also posted double-digit totals, with 19 and 16 nominations, respectively. Alabama State, Alabama A&M, Florida A&M, Tuskegee, and North Carolina A&T rounded out the top tier, each landing 10 or more nominations.
“Congratulations to every student-athlete, coach, and administrator nominated this year,” said HBCU Sports Founding Editor and Publisher Kenn Rashad. “The nominations are a testament to the time, energy, and effort they’ve put into making HBCU athletics the gem that it is. We also want to thank our sponsors for supporting this event and for believing in HBCU athletics and its culture.
The awards ceremony will honor achievements in various sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, golf, track and field, cross country, bowling, and volleyball. Additionally, the event recognizes excellence in athletic administration, media relations, and the band culture that is synonymous with HBCU athletics.
The 3rd Annual HBCU Sports Awards is presented by The Godsey Law Firm, National College Resources Foundation, and Busey Bank.
The show will be streamed live on the HBCU Sports channel on YouTube on Saturday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. ET).
Below is the complete list of all nominees.
2026 HBCU Sports Awards Nominees
Women’s Soccer Player of the Year
- Alana Aiken, Grambling State
- Luka Gorogranz, Harris-Stowe State
- Kaylen Jankans, Grambling State
- Leila Karam, West Virginia State
- Morgan Parris, Virginia State
- Samira Roper, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Gabriella Garcia-Terrell, Howard
Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year
- Holliday Ellis, Winston-Salem State
- Jayden James, Jackson State
- TaKenya Stafford, Coppin State
- Makaela Swoopes, Dillard
- Makenzie Taylor, Florida A&M
- Giovanna Texaira, Fayetteville State
- Naomy Vergez, Edward Waters
Softball Player of the Year
- Amari Brown, Florida A&M
- Jordan Howard, Oakwood
- Aniyah Jackson, Claflin
- Maryn Jordan, Howard
- Monica Rose, Tuskegee
- Samantha Smith, Florida A&M
- Paige Whittington, Bluefield State
Baseball Player of the Year
- Weston Bailey, Huston-Tillotson
- Christopher Alcantra-Diaz, Wilberforce
- Jose Fernandez, Bethune-Cookman
- Daniel Donaldson-Fountain, Edward Waters
- Miguel Oropeza, Alabama State
- Bobby Torres, Edward Waters
- KJ White, Southern
Bowler of the Year
- Savannah Burgin, North Carolina A&T
- Hannah Cunningham, Fayetteville State
- Paige Hubert, Jackson State
- Paige Rockwell, Fayetteville State
- Rose Ugbinada, Alabama A&M
- Victorya White, North Carolina A&T
Defensive Football Player of the Year
- Domonique Davis II, Central State
- Kenyon Garner, Livingstone
- Erick Hunter, Morgan State
- Quincy Ivory, Jackson State
- Israel Nwokocha, Benedict
- Travor Randle, Prairie View A&M
- Jarod Washington, South Carolina State
Offensive Football Player of the Year
- Curtis Allen, Virginia Union
- Andrew Body, Alabama State
- Fabian Duncan, Allen
- Marquis Gillis, Delaware State
- Walker Harris, North Carolina Central
- Isaiah Knowles, Albany State
- Jacobian Morgan, Jackson State
Women’s Basketball Player of the Year
- Nakia Cheatham, Alcorn State
- Nevaeh Farmer, Winston-Salem State
- Atreonia Garner, Clark Atlanta
- Areyanna Hunter, Langston
- Bruni Martinez, Virginia Union
- Zennia Thomas, Howard
- Kalia Walker, Alabama A&M
Men’s Basketball Player of the Year
- Kusamae Draper, Tuskegee
- Bryce Harris, Howard
- Dontae Horne, Prairie View A&M
- Larry Howell, Fayetteville State
- Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State
- Daeshun Ruffin, Jackson State
- Orlando Thomas, Langston
- Raymond Reece, Philander Smith
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year
- Alyvia Brown, Texas Southern
- Jewel Cross, Talladega
- Rebecca Jepngtich, Maryland-Eastern Shore
- Alexis Jones, Howard
- Faith Kiplimo, Fayetteville State
- Cynthia Koech, Lane
- Brea Vann, Albany State
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year
- Bravin Bor, Voorhees
- Brian Kemei, Morehouse
- Godfrey Kimutai, Jackson State
- Franklin Kipchirchir, Fayetteville State
- Andrew Kiplagat, Bethune-Cookman
- Brian Kiprop, Fayetteville State
- Lewis Too, Norfolk State
Women’s Golfer of the Year
- Carmen Fletcher, Alabama State
- Marley Franklin, Howard
- Kaathiyayani Gunasegar, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Salma Ibrahim, Southern
- Mia Melendez, Howard
- Kacey Menyoli, Prairie View A&M
Men’s Golfer of the Year
- Landon Cabingas, Fayetteville State
- Cameron Lutterloh, Winston-Salem State
- Adrian Raya, Miles
- Jules De Rue, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Vincente Rodriguez, Alabama A&M
- Phalatphon Viboonviriyasakul, Florida A&M
Women’s Tennis Player of the Year
- Amira Bargaoui, Morgan State
- Paula Corbalan, Jackson State
- Monique Gundrum, Albany State
- Alejandra Hidalgo, North Carolina Central
- Leiloni Payton, Tuskegee
- Kesmat El Tawil, Alabama State
- Serena Teluwo, Shaw
Men’s Tennis Player of the Year
- Mikalai Bankou, South Carolina State
- Yan Chih Lan, Alabama A&M
- Forkane Lebdi, West Virginia State
- Milan Ristov, Alabama State
- Christian Sanchez, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Nereo Suarez, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Thompson Thomu, Tuskegee
Women’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year
- Brylan Carter, Morgan State
- Yassmine Chambers, Benedict
- Ariyonna Edmond, Southern
- Lanyjah Gunter, Winston-Salem State
- Jhynia Knuckles, Claflin
- Malayna Mallory, Jackson State
- Spirit Morgan, North Carolina A&T
Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year
- Jayden Burris, Voorhees
- Jaylen Burris, Voorhees
- Malik Drummond, Lincoln (Mo.)
- Adam Green, Lincoln (Pa.)
- Christopher Johnson, Delaware State
- Xavier Partee, North Carolina A&T
- Zach Washington, Benedict
Women’s Track & Field Runner of the Year
- Laura Avila, Alabama A&M
- Alexis Jones, Howard
- Faith Kiplimo, Fayetteville State
- Anaya Martin, Tuskegee
- Mary Rodriguez, Talladega
- Rainn Sheppard, Winston-Salem State
- Aliyah Williams, Alabama State
Men’s Track & Field Runner of the Year
- Aaron Alukunyang, North Carolina Central
- Victor Chebii, Morehouse
- Camron Gilliard, Voorhees
- Reginald Gore, Claflin
- Emmanuel Kipchirchir, Virginia State
- Andrew Kiplagat, Bethune-Cookman
- Daniel Mathenge, Norfolk State
Women’s Track & Field Sprinter of the Year
- Tashina Alase, Southern
- Cenaiya Billups, Howard
- Chaleica Booker, Huston-Tillotson
- Latrice Brown, Claflin
- Cadence Cray, Albany State
- Yahnari Lyons, Howard
- Morgan Coverson-Springs, Claflin
Men’s Track & Field Sprinter of the Year
- Leonie Bentley, Virginia State
- Adoni Nembhard-Belcher, Albany State
- Jason Holmes, North Carolina A&T
- Antonio Smith, Virginia Union
- Isaiah Taylor, North Carolina A&T
- Derrick Williams, Alcorn State
- Kendrick Winfield, Norfolk State
Female Student-Athlete of the Year
- McKenzie Abiley, Maryland-Eastern Shore
- Monique Gundrum, Albany State
- Faith Kiplimo, Fayetteville State
- Alaya Rhodes, Mississippi Valley State
- Kerri Rhodes, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Madisyn Strange, Hampton
Male Student-Athlete of the Year
- Jameison Alston, Winston-Salem State
- Isaiah Fedd, Fort Valley State
- Blake Goodman, West Virginia State
- Sebastian Griffiths, Alcorn State
- Elijah Pinckney, Morehouse
- Kendrick Winfield, Norfolk State
Baseball Coach of the Year
- Scott Considine, Bluefield State
- Marcos Dominguez, Talladega
- Antonio Grissom, Morehouse
- Jonathan Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman
- Reginald Johnson II, Edward Waters
- Jose Vazquez, Alabama State
Bowling Coach of the Year
- Michael Boykins, Jackson State
- Anthony Gee, Virginia State
- Robert Henderson, Fayetteville State
- Kim Terrell-Kearney, North Carolina A&T
- James Moore, Alabama A&M
- Tubar Thompson, Bowie State
Cross Country Coach of the Year
- Terry Gaitor, Talladega
- Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State
- Garon Jackson, Bethune-Cookman
- Willie Hill, Morehouse
- David Oliver, Howard
- Robert Smith, Albany State
- Inez Turner, Fayetteville State
Football Coach of the Year
- Chennis Berry, South Carolina State
- Ron Dickerson, Benedict
- Maurice Flowers, Johnson C. Smith
- Felton Huggins, Kentucky State
- Quinn Gray, Albany State
- DeSean Jackson, Delaware State
- Tremaine Jackson, Prairie View A&M
Golf Coach of the Year
- Devins Jackson, Alabama A&M
- Zane Lewis, Fayetteville State
- Sam Puryear, Howard
- Roger Totten, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Matthew Townes, Morgan State
- Kortland Ware, Prairie View A&M
Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year
- Pete Asmond, Miles
- Carlos Funchess, Southern
- Ty Grace, Howard
- Eric Jackson Jr., Edward Waters
- Jaleesa Sams, Rust
- Tierra Terry, Winston-Salem State
- Dawn Thornton, Alabama A&M
Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year
- Kenneth Blakeney, Howard
- Jay Butler, Virginia Union
- Devin Hoehn, Fayetteville State
- Nolan Smith, Tennessee State
- Benjy Taylor, Tuskegee
- Reggie Theus, Bethune-Cookman
- Chris Wright, Langston
Soccer Coach of the Year
- Anthony Andrews, Virginia State
- Ashley Cordeiro, Xavier University of Louisiana
- Jacob Edwards, West Virginia State
- Ted Flogaites, Jackson State
- Jason Norsic, Harris-Stowe State
- Justin Wagar, Grambling State
Softball Coach of the Year
- Brittany Beall, Florida A&M
- Ricky Holden, Claflin
- Chelsea Holliday, Bluefield State
- Joel Penfield, Stillman
- Dietrich Randle, Tuskegee
- Tori Tyson, Howard
- Brittney Williams, Southern
Tennis Coach of the Year
- Nicholas Askew, Howard
- Anuk Christianz, Alabama State
- Andre Cunningham, West Virginia State
- Sunday Enitan, Shaw
- Gregory Green, Tuskegee
- Stan Smirnov, Jackson State
- Matthew Townes, Morgan State
Track & Field Coach of the Year
- Franck Charles, Virginia Union
- Garfield Ellenwood II, Florida A&M
- Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State
- Jeffery Hughes, Voorhees
- Allen Johnson, North Carolina A&T
- David Oliver, Howard
- Inez Turner, Fayetteville State
Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year
- Christa Brown, Winston-Salem State
- Angela Franke, Dillard
- Dottie Hampton, Prairie View A&M
- Chynna Hunt, Fayetteville State
- Tymesia Miller, Fort Valley State
- Tim Walsh, Coppin State
- Gokhan Yilmaz, Florida A&M
Best Social Media Presence
- Alabama A&M
- Alabama State
- Albany State
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Dillard
- Florida A&M
- Howard
- Jackson State
Best Broadcaster
- Andrew Chapman, Fayetteville State
- Charles Edmond, Alcorn State
- Rob Jay, Jackson State
- Thai Floyd, Alabama A&M
- Ross Gordon, Norfolk State
- Symone Stanley, Morehouse
- Michael Truilo, Bethune-Cookman
Sports Information Director of the Year
- Derek Bryant, Howard
- A.D. Drew, Morehouse
- Tristan Gunter, Bowie State
- Brian Holloway, North Carolina A&T
- Brian Howard, Alabama A&M
- Travis Jarome, Jackson State
- Cameo Stokes, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Dani Wright, Southern University at New Orleans
Conference Media Relations Director of the Year
- Anna Butzlaff, CIAA
- Dani Wright, HBCUAC
- Alysse Scripter, MEAC
- Andrew Roberts, SWAC
Conference Commissioner of the Year
- Jacqie McWilliams Parker, CIAA
- Kiki Baker Barnes, HBCUAC
- Sonja Stills, MEAC
- Anthony Holloman, SIAC
- Charles McClelland, SWAC
Athletic Conference of the Year
- Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA)
- HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC)
- Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
- Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
- Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Athletic Director of the Year
- Anthony Bennett, Fayetteville State
- Dr. Paul Bryant
- Dr. Jason Cable, Alabama State
- Anton Goff, Prairie View A&M
- Valencia Jordan, Fisk
- Reginald Ruffin, Tuskegee
- Melody Webb, Norfolk State
Athletic Program of the Year
- Alabama State
- Dillard
- Fayetteville State
- Florida A&M
- Howard
- Morehouse
- Talladega
- Tuskegee
Band of the Year
- Bethune-Cookman
- Florida A&M
- Jackson State
- Norfolk State
- North Carolina A&T
- Southern
- Tennessee State
- Texas Southern
Lifetime Achievement Award: Female
- Shirley Walker, Alcorn State
Lifetime Achievement Award: Male
Robert Braddy, Jackson State
