Historic Alliance Forms to Elevate and Protect HBCU Athletics as Central State Welcomes NFL Veteran Coach
Washington, D.C. – A landmark moment has arrived for Historically Black College and University sports, as the four major HBCU conferences—the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)—have officially united to form the HBCU4Us Association. Announced on July 30, 2025, this unprecedented partnership aims to safeguard the legacy, culture, and competitiveness of Black college athletics by providing a unified voice and strategic vision for the future of HBCU sports programs.
This historic collaboration is more than just an administrative move; it represents a comprehensive commitment to student-athlete leadership, preservation of rich cultural heritage, competitive excellence, financial sustainability, unified advocacy, and holistic student welfare. The four commissioners—Sonja O. Stills (MEAC), Charles McClelland (SWAC), Jacqie McWilliams Parker (CIAA), and Anthony Holloman (SIAC)—emphasize that HBCU athletics is poised for an era of amplified visibility and influence on the national stage amid a rapidly evolving NCAA landscape.
“The formation of the HBCU4Us Association marks a new era of collaboration,” the commissioners said in a joint statement. “As stewards of our storied athletic programs, we are committed to honoring our legacy while creating opportunities that ensure the competitiveness and sustainability of HBCU athletics for generations to come.”
The timing is particularly crucial given the shifts in college sports including NIL policies and conference realignments, which impact traditional rivalries and resources. HBCU4Us intends to empower HBCU programs to compete with greater regional and national prominence while fortifying their unique identities and traditions deeply rooted in African American culture.
In addition to this groundbreaking alliance, individual programs are making strides that reflect the broader momentum within HBCU athletics. Central State University has dramatically enhanced its football coaching staff by adding former NFL star Leon Washington as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Washington’s extensive playing career included Pro Bowl honors and All-Pro selections, with a collegiate legacy at Florida State University where he was known for his dynamic versatility, scoring touchdowns five different ways. His NFL experience with the Jets, Seahawks, Patriots, and Titans, combined with coaching stints in the NFL, provides Central State’s program with invaluable professional insight. Head Coach Tony Carter remarked, “We’re thrilled to have Coach Washington join our program. His energy, leadership, and detailed approach will be a huge asset to our quarterbacks and the entire team.”
Player recognition on the preseason All-America teams highlights the exceptional talent emerging from these programs. Four SIAC football players earned spots on the 2025 HBCU Preseason All-America team curated by BOXTOROW, including Tuskegee’s Mikael King Jr. on the defensive squad. Morgan State’s linebacker Erick Hunter also received this preseason honor, underscoring the high level of competition and athlete development within HBCU football.
Collectively, these developments indicate an exciting trajectory for HBCU sports: a powerful alliance amplifying conference resources and visibility, high-caliber athletes achieving national recognition, and elite professional expertise strengthening coaching and development. The HBCU4Us Association’s mission emphasizes not only the competitiveness of HBCU sports programs but also the preservation of the cultures and traditions intrinsic to these historic institutions—an essential pillar often overlooked in broader collegiate sports narratives.
Looking ahead, the HBCU4Us Association aims to leverage its combined influence to secure financial partnerships, enhance media coverage, and advocate for policy decisions beneficial to HBCU athletics. This will invariably encourage greater alumni engagement, fan support, and recruiting advantages. Programs like Central State, with their infusion of NFL coaching experience and rising player talent, are well-positioned to capitalize on these new resources and elevate the level of competition within the SIAC and beyond.
For the upcoming season, fans should closely watch Central State as it integrates Coach Washington’s innovative offensive schemes and as SIAC and other conferences bring increased competitiveness thanks to the newfound collaborative strength of HBCU4Us. The preseason honors for players like Mikael King Jr. and Erick Hunter also forecast standout performances that could attract national attention throughout the 2025 campaign.
This moment signals a new chapter in HBCU athletics—where historic tradition meets strategic innovation, and where unified leadership promises to propel Black college sports into greater prominence and sustainability. The coming years will undoubtedly be pivotal as these conferences and programs harness this momentum to celebrate their past while aggressively shaping their future.
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