The List: HBCU Athletic Programs
A Comprehensive List of HBCU Colleges Sponsoring Athletics, The Sports They Sponsor, and Their Athletic Affiliations
Welcome to “The List!” This page provides a comprehensive resource of HBCU athletic programs. The opportunity to study and compete at an HBCU is an invitation to join the incredibly rich athletic tradition central to the culture of these schools for the past century! From the football “classics” that have drawn millions of fans dating back to the 1920’s to rivalries like the “Battle of the Firsts” between Cheyney (PA) State and Lincoln (PA) University, or the “BoomBox Classic” between Southern University and Jackson State, competing at an HBCU means participating in historically significant competitions central to the identities of these schools and communities.
There are 5 traditional HBCU conferences. In Division 1, the SWAC is original article. Along with the Ivy and the MEAC, its teams do not compete in the NCAA Football Championship, rather the East and West Divisions play for an opportunity to face the MEAC Champion in the Celebration Bowl. The SWAC’s membership is entirely made up of southern public institutions.
The MEAC encompasses Division 1 HBCU’s along the eastern seaboard, from Delaware to South Carolina, including Howard University in Washington, D.C. One of its biggest rivalries is outside the conference now, the “Real HU” competition between Howard and Hampton University (Hampton left the MEAC and is a member of the Big South Conference) continues to be one of the social events of year, even when both teams are struggling on the field.
The CIAA is the oldest HBCU circuit and competes in Division 2. Its men’s basketball conference tournament draws over 100,000 fans annually and is the biggest single event held in Charlotte, NC each year (although it is relocating to Baltimore in search of an even bigger platform beginning in 2022). The SIAC is the CIAA’s long standing southern rival and traditionally leads NCAA Division 2 in football attendance. In the NAIA, the GCAC is the only all-HBCU conference, although the Red River Athletic Conference is home to several former SWAC institutions.
| School | Website | Affiliation | Conference | Football | Basketball | Soccer | XC/Track | Baseball | Softball | Volleyball | Golf | Tennis | Bowling | Lacrosse | Swimming | Wrestling | Sailing | Equestrian | Triathlon | Beach Vball | Flag Footbal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M University | http://aamusports.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M | M/W | W | ||||||||
| Alabama State University | http://bamastatesports.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | M/W | W | ||||||||
| Alcorn State University | http://alcornsports.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | ||||||||||
| Bethune-Cookman University | https://bcuathletics.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | M/W | W | |||||||||
| Coppin State University | https://coppinstatesports.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | W | |||||||||||
| Delaware State University | https://dsuhornets.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | |||||
| Florida A&M University | https://famuathletics.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M | W | W | |||||||||
| Grambling State University | http://www.gsutigers.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | W | W | |||||||||
| Hampton (VA) University | https://hamptonpirates.com/ | NCAA D1 | Big South | M | M/W | W | M/W | W | W | M/W | M | M/W | W | ||||||||
| Howard University | https://hubison.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M | M/W | M/W | M/W | W | W | M/W | M/W | W | W | M/W | |||||||
| Jackson State University | http://www.gojsutigers.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | W | |||||||||
| Mississippi Valley State University | http://mvsusports.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | ||||||||||
| Morgan State University | https://morganstatebears.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | M/W | W | |||||||||||
| Norfolks State University | https://nsuspartans.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | W | ||||||||||
| North Carolina A&T State University | https://ncataggies.com/ | NCAA D1 | Big South | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | M/W | W | |||||||||
| North Carolina Central University | https://nccueaglepride.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M | M/W | ||||||||||
| Prairie View A&M University | http://www.pvpanthers.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | M/W | W | ||||||||
| South Carolina State University | https://www.scsuathletics.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | W | W | M/W | |||||||||||
| Southern University | http://gojagsports.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | W | W | |||||||||
| Tennessee State University | https://tsutigers.com/ | NCAA D1 | Ohio Valley | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | M/W | M/W | |||||||||||
| Texas Southern University | http://athletics.tsu.edu/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | W | |||||||||
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | http://www.uapblionsroar.com/ | NCAA D1 | SWAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | ||||||||||
| University of Maryland, Eastern Shore | https://easternshorehawks.com/ | NCAA D1 | MEAC | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | W | |||||||||||
| Albany State University | http://www.asugoldenrams.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | W | ||||||||||
| Allen University | http://www.auyellowjackets.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | W | 0 | ||||||||||
| Benedict College | https://benedicttigers.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | M/W | M/W | |||||||||||
| Bluefield State University | https://go-bstate.com/ | NCAA D2 | Independent | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | M/W | M/W | M/W | W | M/W | 0 | ||||||
| Bowie State | https://bsubulldogs.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | W | W | |||||||||||
| Central State University | https://maraudersports.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | M/W | ||||||||||||||
| Cheyney State University | https://cheyneywolves.com/ | NCAA D2 | M/W | W | |||||||||||||||||
| Claflin University | https://athletics.claflin.edu/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | |||||||||||||
| Clark Atlanta University | https://clarkatlantasports.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W* | M | W | W | W | |||||||||||
| Edward Waters College | https://www.ewctigerpride.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | M/W | |||||||||||
| Elizabeth City State University | https://ecsuvikings.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W XC | W | W | M | W | W | ||||||||||
| Fayetteville State University | https://fsubroncos.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | M | W | |||||||||||
| Fort Valley State University | https://fvsusports.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | W | M/W | M | ||||||||||||
| Johnson C. Smith University | https://goldenbullsports.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | M | M/W | W | ||||||||||
| Kentucky State University | https://ksuthorobreds.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M | |||||||||||
| Lane College | https://golcdragons.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | |||||||||||
| Lemoyne-Owen College | https://athletics.loc.edu/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M/W | M/W* | M | W | W | M | M/W | |||||||||||
| Lincoln University | https://lulions.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | W | M/W | M | W | M/W | |||||||||||
| Lincoln University of Missouri | https://lubluetigers.com/ | NCAA D2 | MIAA | M | M/W | M/W | W | M/W | |||||||||||||
| Livingstone College | https://bluebearathletics.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | M | W | |||||||||||
| Miles College | https://milesgoldenbears.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | ||||||||||||
| Morehouse College | https://morehouseathletics.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | |||||||||||
| Savannah State University | https://ssuathletics.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | W | ||||||||||
| Shaw University | https://www.shawbears.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | M/W | W | W | M/W | W | ||||||||||
| St. Augustine's University | https://saintaugfalcons.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | M | ||||||||||||
| Tuskegee University | https://goldentigersports.com/ | NCAA D2 | SIAC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | |||||||||||
| University of the District of Columbia | https://www.udcfirebirds.com/ | NCAA D2 | ECC | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | |||||||||||||
| Virginia State University | https://govsutrojans.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M | M/W | W | |||||||||
| Virginia Union University | https://vuusports.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | M | W | |||||||||||
| West Virginia State University | https://wvsuyellowjackets.com/ | NCAA D2 | MEC | M | M/W | W | W XC | M | W | W | M | M/W | |||||||||
| Winston-Salem State University | https://www.wssurams.com/ | NCAA D2 | CIAA | M | M/W | M/W* | W | W | M | ||||||||||||
| Dillard University | http://www.dillardbleudevils.com/ | NAIA | GCAC | M/W | M/W | W | |||||||||||||||
| Fisk University | http://www.fiskathletics.com/ | NAIA | GCAC | M/W | M | M/W | W | M/W | |||||||||||||
| Florida Memorial University | https://fmuathletics.com/ | NAIA | The Sun Conference | M | M/W | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Harris-Stowe State University | https://hornetsathletics.com/ | NAIA | AMC | M/W | M/W | M/W | M | W | |||||||||||||
| Huston-Tillotson University | http://www.htramsathletics.com/ | NAIA | RRAC | M/W | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | ||||||||||||
| Jarvis Christian College | http://www.jccbulldogs.com/ | NAIA | RRAC | M/W | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | |||||||||||
| Langston University | http://www.langstonsports.com/ | NAIA | RRAC | M | M/W | M/W | W | W | |||||||||||||
| Paul Quinn College | http://www.pqc.edu/athletics/ | NAIA | RRAC | M/W | M/W | W | |||||||||||||||
| Philander Smith College | https://www.philanderathletics.com/ | NAIA | GCAC | M/W | M/W | W | |||||||||||||||
| Rust College | https://www.rustcollege.edu/about-rust-college/athletics/ | NAIA | GCAC | M/W | M/W | W | |||||||||||||||
| Talladega College | http://www.talladegatornadoes.com/ | NAIA | GCAC | M/W | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | ||||||||||||
| Texas College | https://www.tcsteersathletics.com/ | NAIA | RRAC | M | M/W | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | |||||||||||
| Tougaloo College | http://www.tougaloobulldogs.com/ | NAIA | GCAC | M/W | XC Only | M | W | ||||||||||||||
| University of the Virgin Islands | https://uvi.edu/student-life/athletics/default.aspx | NAIA | Independent | M/W | M | M/W | |||||||||||||||
| Voorhees College | https://www.voorhees.edu/athletics | NAIA | Independent | M/W | M/W | M | W | ||||||||||||||
| Wilberforce University | http://www.wilberforceathletics.com/ | NAIA | Independent | M/W | M/W | M/W | |||||||||||||||
| Wiley College | https://www.wileyathletics.com/ | NAIA | RRAC | M/W | M/W | M | W | ||||||||||||||
| Xavier University of Louisiana | https://xulagold.com/ | NAIA | GCAC | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | ||||||||||||
| Clinton College | https://www.clintongoldenbears.com/ | USCAA | EMAC | M/W | |||||||||||||||||
| Oakwood University | http://www.oakwoodambassadors.com/ | USCAA | Independent | M/W | M/W | M | W | W | |||||||||||||
| Paine College | https://paineathletics.com/ | NCCAA | Independent | M/W | M | W | W | ||||||||||||||
| Virginia University - Lynchburg | https://vul.prestosports.com/landing/index | NCCAA | Independent | M | M/W | M/W | |||||||||||||||
| Bishop State College | https://www.bishop.edu/athletics | NJCAA | ACCC | M/W | M | W | W | M/W | |||||||||||||
| Coahama Community College | https://coahomasports.com/ | NJCAA | MACCC | M | M/W | M/W | M | W | |||||||||||||
| Denmark Technical College | https://www.denmarktech.edu/athletics/ | NJCAA | Region 10 | M/W | |||||||||||||||||
| Gadsden State Community College | https://www.gadsdenstate.edu/athletics.cms | NJCAA | ACCC | M/W | W | M | |||||||||||||||
| Hinds Community College @ Utica | https://sports.hindscc.edu/ | NJCAA | MACCC | M | M/W | M/W | M/W | M | W | M | M/W | ||||||||||
| Lawson State Community College | https://athletics.lawsonstate.edu/ | NJCAA | ACCC | M/W | M | W | |||||||||||||||
| Southwestern Christian College | https://www.swcc.edu/athletics.htm | NJCAA | Region 5 | M/W | M/W | W |
* - one program is cross country only, see the school's website for details
Note: The conference listed for each institution is the primary affiliation of the athletic program. An individual sport program may compete as an affiliate in another conference based on any number of factors.
Find an error or omission? Please email dave@collegeathleticadvisor.com so we can update!
Historically Black Colleges and Women’s Soccer
Women’s soccer’s adoption among HBCU’s has mirrored the growth of the game in the black community. The inaugural SWAC women’s soccer championship was contested in 2003, and it remains the only HBCU women’s soccer conference at any level. In Division 2, the SIAC has added 3 programs in the past 3 years, still short of the six required for an automatic bid. At the NAIA level several programs have a longer history of competition in PWI conferences.
Even though HBCU women’s soccer programs are young and building, there is enough history to highlight some that provide outstanding opportunities for student-athletes to compete as part of the tapestry of HBCU athletics.
Division 1:
Howard University (moving to the NEC for 2022)
Coach: Brett Leiba (11 years, 2 NCAA tournament appearances)
The Bison have the richest soccer history of any HBCU, having won a pair of NCAA Championships on the men’s side (one was controversially vacated, but the 1974 banner stands) under the legendary Lincoln Phillips. Coach Leiba has assembled a strong program that will be tested as the Bison move from a geographically challenging period as an affiliate member in the SWAC to competing in the Northeast Conference.
Alabama A&M (SWAC)
Coach: Emmanuel Stephens (4th year)
The Bulldogs historically struggled, but as Coach Stephens has established himself, they have been increasingly successful, including a 4-game winning streak this spring. As the program has strengthened, its roster has solidified, and it provides an exciting opportunity for student-athletes to grow along with a Division 1 program that is developing talent and providing positive experiences to student-athletes.
Division 2:
Edward Waters (FL) College (SIAC)
Coach: Stephen Peck (1st year)
Full disclosure: I can recommend Coach Peck because I worked on staff with him both at Culver-Stockton (MO) College and Oakland City (IN) University. Watching him transition to the women’s game and establish himself at Edward Waters, where he took the reins of a 1st year program mid-season is exciting for me personally. If you are looking for a Division 2 HBCU program where you will grow as a player and be supported as a student, this may be the best opportunity in the nation!
West Virginia State University (MEC)
Lisa Mann (2nd year)
The Yellowjackets are another emerging D2 program and have garnered some early success in the very competitive Mountain East Conference. The former Martin Methodist standout has quickly built a program with a strong international flavor.
NAIA:
Harris-Stowe State University (AMC)
Coach: Scot Vorwold (7th year)
After over a decade of struggle on the field and constant coaching changes off it, Scot Vorwold took over the Hornets soccer program in 2014 and within a year had the team on a positive path. Under his leadership, Harris-Stowe has become a fixture in the top half of the highly competitive American Midwest Conference and at the top of the Harris-Stowe dean’s list, producing consecutive valedictorians!
