2024 HBCU Sports Awards: Howard leads all nominations with 20

From HBCU Sports Staff Reports 

HBCU Sports announced its nominees for the inaugural HBCU Sports Awards on Sunday. The program will feature 45 categories honoring individual, team, and administrative achievements across the entire HBCU athletics landscape.

Howard University and Florida A&M lead all schools with 20 and 18 nominations, respectively. Jackson State and Norfolk State also had double-digit nominations with 13 and 11 nominations respectfully.

“I can’t think the HBCU Sports staff, the countless HBCU SIDs, and conference media administrators enough for their tireless commitment and dedication in getting us to this point, said HBCU Sports Founding Editor and Publisher Kenn Rashad. “There is still plenty of work to do, but I’m optimistic this virtual event will succeed.”

The highly anticipated awards show will be broadcast live on YouTube on the HBCU Sports channel on Saturday, July 27, at 2:00 p.m. CT (3:00 p.m. ET).

Below is the complete list of all nominees

Women’s Soccer Player of the Year

• Kendyl Terrell, Jackson State
• Trinity Knox, Howard
• Brisha Musungu, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Aria Whitney, Grambling
• Giovanna Coghetto, Shaw
• Luci Schroeder, Xavier U. (La.)

Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year

• Jada Rhodes, Alabama State
• Rya McKinnon, Howard
• Madison Jones, St. Augustine’s
• Najlaa Williams, Virginia State
• Fatima Ramirez, Edward Waters
• Zyaire Prettie-Garrit, Talladega

Softball Player of the Year

• Victoria Fletcher, Morgan State
• Mia Nunez, Prairie View A&M
• Hailey Darrington, Virginia State
• Mariah Williams, Fort Valley State
• Lauren Haskins, Stillman
• Onnika Spencer, Tennessee State

Baseball Player of the Year

• Ali LaPread, Alabama State
• Cameron Bufford, Grambling
• Jonathan Logsden, Albany State
• Evan Bouldin, Delaware State
• Chris Morris, West Virginia State
• Jimmyll Willams, Virginia State
• Chris Larkin, Bluefield State
• Miguel Oropeza, Talladega

Bowler of the Year

• Lauren Tomaszewski, North Carolina A&T
• Lyric O’Steen, Alabama State
• Paige Rockwell, Fayetteville State
• Jailyn Rogers, Southern
• Brooke Roberts, Maryland Eastern Shore

Defensive Football Player of the Year

• Terrell Allen, Tennessee State
• Isaiah Major, Florida A&M
• Willie Drew, Virginia State
• Kenny Gallop Jr., Howard
• Loobert Denelus, Benedict
• Jayden Broughton, Benedict

Offensive Football Player of the Year

• Davius Richard, North Carolina Central
• Isaiah Freeman, Lincoln (Pa.)
• Jeremy Moussa, Florida A&M
• David Wright III, Allen
• Ladarius Owens, Texas Southern
• Joel Felder, West Virginia State

Women’s Basketball Player of the Year

• Diamond Johnson, Norfolk State
• Aniylah Bryant, Fayetteville State
• Ahriahna Grizzle, Florida A&M
• Gracen Kerr, Kentucky State
• Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State
• Angel Jackson, Jackson State
• Maya Buckhanon, Fisk
• Jordyn Dorsey, North Carolina A&T

Men’s Basketball Player of the Year

• Jamarii Thomas, Norfolk State
• Anthony Roy, Langston
• Ken Evans Jr., Jackson State
• Jaylen Alston, Winston-Salem State
• Chris Martin, Clark Atlanta
• Jamal Gibson, Southern-New Orleans
• Chad Moodie, Alabama A&M

Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year

• Abijah Jepkemboi, St. Augustine’s
• Jane Kiborus, Benedict
• Mercyline Kamaiyo, Norfolk State
• Stellah Kiptui, Alcorn State
• Irene Jeptoo, Fayetteville State
• Ja’Neisha Collins, Philander Smith

Men’s Cross Country Runner of the Year

• Micah Kipruto, Virginia Union
• Brian Kemei, Morehouse
• Gidion Sigei, Norfolk State
• Raphael Kitur, Norfolk State
• Kelvin Kipkemboi, Alcorn State
• Lejaune George, Xavier U. (La.)

Women’s Golfer of the Year

• Morgan Horrell, Howard
• Katie Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
• Kendall Jackson, Howard
• Bamboo Kittyanaruewat, Alabama State
• Emily Mayne, Howard
• Kaathi Gunasegar, Lincoln (Mo.)
• Erin Marcelino, Tennessee State

Men’s Golfer of the Year

• Gregory Odom Jr., Howard
• Jose Berenguel, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Everett Whiten Jr., Howard
• Marcus Taylor, Florida A&M
• Micah Stangebye, Kentucky State
• Travon Willis, Virginia Union
• Kunakorn Tang, West Virginia State

Women’s Tennis: Player of the Year

• Sofiya Chursina, South Carolina State
• Anja Antonijevic, Shaw
• Zeina Shabaan, Jackson State
• Rebekkah Gaines, Florida A&M
• Natalya Ogunwale, Albany State
• Mbali Langa, Xavier U. (LA.)

Men’s Tennis: Player of the Year

• David Jeanne-Grandinot, Alabama State
• Hugo Hidalgo Vega, North Carolina Central
• Teryon Newbold-Hudgson, Tuskegee
• Esteban Lopez, North Carolina A&T
• Julius Hell, Xavier U. (La)
• Taj Hibbert, Tennessee State
• Nil Moinet, Tennessee State

Women’s Track & Field: Athlete of the Year

• Leslie Young, Norfolk State
• M’Smyra Seward, Fayetteville State
• Mykhayla Carroll, Albany State
• Breanna Brown-Marshall, Florida A&M
• Meeyesha Tutt-Moutouo, Wiley
• Savoria Anderson, Prairie View A&M

Men’s Track & Field Athlete of the Year

• Caleb Snowden, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Markus White, Virginia State
• Michael Tatnall, Voorhees
• Seth Alexander, Xavier U. (La.)
• Rajaun Ricketts, Benedict
• Malachi Aiken, Maryland-Eastern Shore

Women’s Track & Field: Runner of the Year

• Yvonne Sundai, Norfolk State
• Shamia Jones, Alabama State
• Irene Jeptoo, Fayetteville State
• Zenay Rhaney, Albany State
• Christina Fitzpatrick, Prairie View A&M
• Taisha Benjamin, Alabama State
• Joslyn Crosby, Howard

Men’s Track & Field Runner of the Year

• Asa Francis, Coppin State
• Jose Gonzalez, Texas Southern
• Jalen Brownlee, Virginia State
• Brian Kemei, Morehouse
• Jaden Cole, Wiley
• Desmond Kirwa, Virginia State

Women’s Track & Field: Sprinter of the Year

• Shantae George, Lincoln (Mo.)
• Odeshia Nanton, Lincoln (Mo.)
• Kailei Collins, Howard
• Nya Blocker, Florida A&M
• Malaysia Johnson, St. Augustine’s
• Kevell Byrd, Dillard
• Ana-Liese Torian, Alabama A&M

Men’s Track & Field Sprinter of the Year

• Jamarion Stubbs, Alabama State
• Terrell Robinson Jr., St. Augustine’s
• Kibren Moore, Albany State
• Jason Holmes, North Carolina A&T
• Jamaal Morris, Dillard
• Sharim Hamilton, Lincoln (Mo.)

Female Student-Athlete of the Year

• Katie Robinson, Bethune-Cookman (Golf)
• Kendyl Terrell, Jackson State (Soccer)
• Anii Harris, Bowie State (BB)
• Mykhayla Carroll, Albany State (T&F)
• Morgan Price, Fisk (Gym)
• Jodesa Peterson, Edward Waters (SB)

Male Student-Athlete of the Year

• Caleb Snowden, Arkansas-Pine Bluf (T&F)
• Daylin Lee, Winston-Salem State (FB)
• Mitchell Romig, Benedict (FB)
• Miguel Oropeza, Talladega (BB)
• Jose Gonzales, Texas Southern (CC, T&F)
• Cameron Buford, Grambling (BB)

Baseball Coach of the Year

• Davin Pierre, Grambling State
• P. Blandin, Delaware State
• Jamey Shouppe, Florida A&M
• Michael Robertson, Texas Southern
• Scott Hemmings, Albany State
• Drew Bailey, Bluefield State
• Marcos Dominguez, Talladega

Bowling Coach of the Year

• Kim Terrell-Kearney, North Carolina A&T
• Barry Doyle, Southern
• Roger Petrin, UMES
• Andrew Chatmon, Alabama State
• James Washington, Virginia Union
• Robert Henderson, Fayetteville State

Cross Country Coach of the Year

• Inez Turner, Fayetteville State
• Willie Hill, Morehouse
• Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State
• Clyde Duncan, Texas Southern
• Garfield Ellenwood II, Florida A&M
• Kameron Lewis, Philander Smith

Football Coach of the Year

• Willie Simmons, Florida A&M
• Alvin Parker, Virginia Union
• Chennis Berry, Benedict
• Larry Scott, Howard
• Trei Oliver, North Carolina Central
• Quinn Gray Sr., Albany State

Golf Coach of the Year

• Mike Rice, Florida A&M
• Roger Totten, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Sam Puryear, Howard
• Lee Coble, Virginia Union
• Mike Grugin, Kentucky State
• Harry Stokes, Bethune-Cookman
• Quincy Heard, Alabama State
• Kortland Ware, Lincoln (Mo.)

Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year

• Tomekia Reed, Jackson State
• Larry Vickers, Norfolk State
• Tyreece Brown, Fayetteville State
• Pete Asmond, Miles
• Tynesha Lewis, Elizabeth City State
• Eric Jackson Jr., Rust

Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year

• Donte Jackson, Grambling
• Kenneth Blakeney, Howard
• Chris Wright, Langston
• Jason Armstrong, Lincoln (Pa.)
• Robert Jones, Norfolk State
• Alfred Jordan, Clark Atlanta

Soccer Coach of the Year

• Justin Wagar, Grambling State
• Ted Flogaites, Jackson State
• Randy McClure, Shaw
• Brent Leiba, Howard
• Jeremy Fontenot, Southern
• Ashley Cordeiro, Xavier U. (La.)

Softball Coach of the Year

• Mercedes Hargett, Coppin State
• Larry Hineline, Morgan State
• Zaidasha Waddell, Lincoln (Pa.)
• Rufus Green, Fort Valley State
• Joel Penfield, Stillman
• Vernon Bland, Prairie View A&M
• Camise Patterson, Florida A&M

Tennis Coach of the Year

• Harold Moore, Winston-Salem State
• Rochelle Houston, Florida A&M
• Hernan Geria, Jackson State
• Gregory Green, Tuskegee
• Hardeep Judge, South Carolina State
• Anuk Christianz, Alabama State
• Gregory Green, Tuskegee
• Dejon Bivens, North Carolina A&T
• Alan Green, Xavier U. (La.)

Track & Field Coach of the Year

• Victor Thomas, Lincoln (Mo.)
• Clyde Duncan, Texas Southern
• David Oliver, Howard
• Kenneth Giles, Norfolk State
• Inez Turner, Fayetteville State
• Nile Legania, Dillard

Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year

• Lauren Ford, Edward Waters
• Lawrence Rather, Fort Valley State
• Rose Washington, Jackson State
• Tim Walsh, Coppin State
• Jonathan Paulk, Shaw
• Lashaunda Spurgeon, Talladega

Best Social Media Presence

• Bowie State
• Florida A&M
• Jackson State
• Tuskegee
• Grambling
• Stillman College
• North Carolina A&T
• Howard

Broadcaster of the Year

• Charles Edmond, Alcorn State
• Rob Jay, Jackson State
• Santoria Black, Grambling
• Michael Truilo, Bethune-Cookman
• Ross Gordon, Norfolk State

Sports Information Director of the Year

• Andrew Glover, Wiley College
• Jolisa Williams, Bowie State
• Josh Padilla, Florida A&M
• Derek Bryant, Howard
• Brian Howard, Alabama A&M
• Ryan McGinty, Texas Southern
• Chris Megginson, Stillman

Conference Media Relations Director of the Year

• Tonia Walker, CIAA
• Dani Wright, GCAC
• Patricia Porter-Mayfield, MEAC
• Jaymonte Mcleod, SIAC
• Andrew Roberts, SWAC

Conference Commissioner of the Year

• Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA
• Kiki Baker Barnes, GCAC
• Sonja Stills, MEAC
• Anthony Holloman, SIAC
• Charles McClelland, SWAC

Athletic Conference of the Year

• Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA)
• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)
• Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
• Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
• Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)

Athletic Director of the Year

• Karen Carty, Univ. of the Virgin Islands
• Paul Bryant. Alabama A&M
• Ivana Rich, Edward Waters
• Jasher Cox, Allen
• Tony O’Neal, Claflin
• Ashley Robinson, Jackson State
• Kery Davis, Howard
• Mikki Allen, Tennessee State

Athletic Program of the Year

• Alabama State
• Howard
• Fayetteville State
• Talladega College
• Xavier (La.)
• Benedict

 Lifetime Achievement Award: Female

• Teresa Phillips (Tennessee State)

Lifetime Achievement Award: Male

• George Williams (Saint Augustine’s)