Saturday marked another moment of recognition and pride across Black College athletics with the 2026 HBCU Sports Awards presentation.
Hosted by HBCU Sports Founding Publisher and Editor Kenn Rashad alongside Jarrett Hoffman and Chris Stevens, the annual virtual event spotlighted the very best in HBCU sports.
It honored administrators, athletes, and coaches in 46 categories from institutions across Division I, Division II, and NAIA sports.
2026 HBCU Sports Awards Winners
Women’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year:
Spirit Morgan, North Carolina A&T
Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year:
Jayden Burris, Voorhees
Women’s Track & Field Runner of the Year:
Alexis Jones, Howard
Men’s Track & Field Runner of the Year:
Aaron Alukunyang, North Carolina Central
Women’s Track & Field Sprinter of the Year:
Tashina Alase, Southern
Men’s Track & Field Sprinter of the Year:
Leonie Bentley, Virginia State
Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year:
TaKenya Stafford, Coppin State
Women’s Tennis Player of the Year:
Paula Corbalan, Jackson State
Men’s Tennis Player of the Year:
Mikalai Bankou, South Carolina State
Softball Player of the Year:
Amari Brown, Florida A&M
Baseball Player of the Year:
KJ White, Southern
Women’s Golfer of the Year:
Marley Franklin, Howard
Men’s Golfer of the Year:
Landon Cabingas, Fayetteville State
Bowler of the Year:
Savannah Burgin, North Carolina A&T
Women’s Soccer Player of the Year:
Alana Aiken, Grambling State
Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year:
Alyvia Brown, Texas Southern
Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year:
Brian Kemei, Morehouse
Women’s Basketball Player of the Year:
Nevaeh Farmer, Winston-Salem State
Men’s Basketball Player of the Year:
Aaron Nkrumah, Tennessee State
Defensive Football Player of the Year:
Erick Hunter, Morgan State
Offensive Football Player of the Year:
Curtis Allen, Virginia Union
Lifetime Achievement Award, Female:
Shirley Walker, Alcorn State
Lifetime Achievement Award, Male:
Robert Braddy, Jackson State
Track & Field Coach of the Year:
Franck Charles, Virginia Union
Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year:
Tim Walsh, Coppin State
Tennis Coach of the Year:
Anuk Christianz, Alabama State
Softball Coach of the Year:
Tori Tyson, Howard
Baseball Coach of the Year:
Jonathan Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman.
Golf Coach of the Year:
Sam Puryear, Howard.
Bowling Coach of the Year:
Kim Terrell-Kearney, North Carolina A&T
Soccer Coach of the Year:
Ted Flogaites, Jackson State
Cross Country Coach of the Year:
Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State
Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year:
Tierra Terry, Winston-Salem State
Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year:
Chris Wright, Langston
Football Coach of the Year:
DeSean Jackson, Delaware State
Best Social Media Presence:
Alabama State
Best Broadcaster:
Thai Floyd, Alabama A&M
Band of the Year:
Jackson State
Conference Media Relations Director of the Year:
Andrew Roberts, SWAC
Sports Information Director of the Year:
Derek Bryant, Howard
Conference Commissioner of the Year:
Jacqie McWilliams Parker, CIAA
Athletic Conference of the Year:
Southwestern Athletic Conference
Female Student-Athlete of the Year:
McKenzie Abiley, Maryland-Eastern Shore
Male Student-Athlete of the Year:
Jameison Alston, Winston-Salem State
Athletic Director of the Year:
Anthony Bennett, Fayetteville State
Athletic Program of the Year:
Howard
