Howard University Dominates 2025 HBCU Sports Awards with Five Major Honors
Cross Roads, Texas – Howard University emerged as the standout program at the 2025 HBCU Sports Awards, claiming five major honors out of sixteen nominations and leading all schools across HBCU athletics. The recognition underscores Howard’s continued rise as a powerhouse in Black College sports, setting an optimistic tone as the Bison prepare to launch their 2025-26 women’s soccer season.
At the ceremony held in late July, Howard swept awards in several key categories. Brent Leiba, head coach of women’s soccer, earned Soccer Coach of the Year credentials after guiding the Bison to their first Northeast Conference Regular Season and Tournament championships. Their 11-5-5 overall and 8-1-1 conference records culminated in an NCAA Tournament appearance, marking the team’s best season in recent memory.
Coach Sam Puryear led the men’s golf team to back-to-back NEC titles, overcoming a seven-stroke deficit in the final round, and was honored as Golf Coach of the Year. Paris Fieldings, a standout women’s golfer from Chesapeake, Virginia, claimed Women’s Golfer of the Year honors, becoming the first in Howard’s history to win the NEC Player of the Year award. Adding to the tally of accolades, Derek W. Bryant was recognized as Sports Information Director of the Year for his exemplary work in media relations and sports communication.
Men’s basketball star Blake Harper delivered a historic performance on the court, earning both the Men’s Basketball Player of the Year award and rookie honors. Harper, a 6-foot-8 freshman guard from Washington, D.C., etched his name in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record books by becoming the first player in the MEAC’s 54-year history to win Player and Rookie of the Year in the same season. His dynamic play and leadership have been pivotal to Howard’s basketball aspirations moving forward.
These individual and collective recognitions are a testament to Howard University’s sustained commitment to excellence in athletics. They also reflect the school’s growing reputation not just within the MEAC but across the broader HBCU sports landscape.
The impact of these awards resonates beyond trophies—it reaffirms Howard’s status as a cultural and athletic beacon among Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Bison’s success builds momentum as they enter a new competitive cycle, particularly with the women’s soccer team set to begin their season at Greene Stadium against North Florida on August 14, 2025.
Looking ahead, Howard is poised to leverage this wave of recognition to attract top talent and raise its profile on the national stage. The program’s accomplishments demonstrate how strategic coaching, athlete development, and dedicated administration combine to elevate an HBCU program in the competitive college sports environment.
In a wider context, Howard’s accomplishments offer inspiration for other HBCUs aiming to enhance their programs despite challenges like limited media exposure and resource disparities. Meanwhile, ongoing HBCU sports narratives include discussions around major broadcast partnerships, notably ESPN’s increased spotlight on SWAC teams and the expanding presence of NAIA HBCU games this fall, underscoring the evolving media landscape for Black College athletics.
The 2025 HBCU Sports Awards served both as a celebration of individual brilliance and a reflection of the unique camaraderie and tradition embedded in HBCU sports. Howard University’s five wins represent not just a statistical success but a cultural milestone reinforcing the legacy and future of Black College sports.