Texas Southern Lands Louisiana Sprint Champion Josh Brown, Strengthening Men’s Track & Field for 2025-26 Season
Houston, TX — Texas Southern University continues to bolster its men’s track and field squad by signing one of the nation’s fastest high school athletes, Louisiana sprint star Josh Brown, for the 2025-26 season. Brown, a dominant sprinter out of Holy Cross High School in New Orleans, brings exceptional speed and athleticism that promise to elevate the Tigers’ sprinting prowess and further the program’s championship ambitions in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Josh Brown has rapidly established himself as a formidable force on the track, holding Louisiana’s top times in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes. Nationally, he ranks fourth in the 200 meters, showcasing elite-level speed that few high school athletes possess. In addition to his individual accomplishments, Brown anchored his high school’s 4×100-meter relay team to state championship victories, underscoring his ability to contribute to team success at the highest level. Brown’s recent wins at the 2025 Louisiana High School State Championships include gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and the 4×100 relay, as well as the indoor 60-meter title, where he also dominated earlier in the year.
What makes Brown’s story particularly compelling is the relative brevity of his track career compared to peers with long-standing track resumes. Texas Southern head coach Clyde Duncan Sr., who has a storied history of success with the Tigers—having secured back-to-back SWAC trifecta titles in indoor, outdoor, and cross country—expressed enthusiasm over Brown’s signing. “I’m very honored and pleased that we were able to sign this young man,” Duncan said. “Without a doubt, he’ll help us right away. He is a very mature young man with a ceiling that’s very high despite his shorter experience. The sky’s the limit for him.”
Brown’s athleticism transcends the track; he is also a standout football player, earning all-state and all-district honors in high school. His two-sport excellence attracted attention from various collegiate programs nationwide, but Brown chose Texas Southern, citing the university’s family-like culture as a major factor. Former TSU standout Eric Smith, now a high school coach in Louisiana, played an influential role in mentoring Brown throughout his recruiting journey, providing a trusted connection to the Tigers’ community.
Academically, Brown is just as impressive, maintaining straight A’s and a strong GPA, reinforcing the holistic approach TSU seeks in its student-athletes. Coach Duncan emphasized that Brown’s maturity and commitment in the classroom were just as important as his athletic talent in making him a top recruitment target.
This acquisition exemplifies the growing momentum among HBCU athletic programs in attracting elite-level talent, signaling a shift in the recruiting landscape. Texas Southern’s commitment to building a championship-caliber men’s track and field program is clear, and adding a sprinter of Brown’s caliber supercharges their competitiveness within the SWAC and on the national stage.
Looking ahead, Brown’s presence is expected to have an immediate impact on TSU’s sprint events, where the Tigers aim to reclaim and maintain dominance. His speed will be a key factor in upcoming meets, and his development under Coach Duncan’s experienced guidance bodes well for both his individual trajectory and the team’s success.
Texas Southern’s track and field team will open their 2025-26 season with high expectations, energized by Brown’s signing and the potential it brings. The broader effect of such signings on HBCU sports is profound, enhancing visibility, competitiveness, and pride, while inspiring future generations of student-athletes to consider these historic institutions as premier destinations for both athletic and academic advancement.
Josh Brown’s journey from Louisiana state champion to Texas Southern Tiger not only enriches the university’s athletic fabric but also affirms the growing stature of HBCUs in the national sports recruiting arena.
Author: Veteran HBCU Sports Journalist