Howard University dominated the 2025 HBCU Sports Awards, capturing five major honors and leading all HBCU programs with 16 nominations. This milestone solidifies Howard’s standing as a powerhouse across multiple sports heading into the 2025-26 season.
The awards ceremony, streamed live by HBCU Sports, celebrated excellence among HBCU athletes, coaches, and administrators. Blake Harper of Howard made history in men’s basketball by becoming the first player in MEAC history to win both Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the same season, underscoring his outstanding impact as a freshman. Meanwhile, Howard’s women’s soccer coach Brent Leiba was named Soccer Coach of the Year, highlighting the growing prominence of the program. In golf, coach Sam Puryear earned Golf Coach of the Year honors, and Paris Fieldings was named Women’s Golfer of the Year. Adding to the accolades, Howard’s Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations, Derek W. Bryant, was recognized as Sports Information Director of the Year, reflecting the university’s excellence beyond the playing fields.
Howard’s athletic success this year is consistent with recent trends, as the university also secured the MEAC Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award for the 2024-25 academic year, a distinction celebrating the strength of its women’s programs. The MEAC all-sports awards showcase overall team excellence across sports, with Howard’s women’s teams excelling particularly in indoor and outdoor track and field, softball, and volleyball. This continued success complements the men’s basketball and football achievements that placed Howard among the conference’s elite.
Blake Harper’s dual honors in basketball are historic and emblematic of Howard’s investment in recruiting and developing top talent to elevate MEAC competition. Harper’s ability to command the court as a freshman has already drawn national attention, and according to Howard’s head coach, “Blake’s blend of talent, poise, and leadership sets a new standard for what we expect from our student-athletes.” His record places him in rare company in HBCU basketball history and signals brighter horizons for the Bison program.
The coaching awards for Brent Leiba and Sam Puryear also spotlight Howard’s diversified competitiveness in less traditionally highlighted sports such as soccer and golf within HBCUs. Leiba’s leadership has transformed the women’s soccer team into a top contender, fostering a culture of discipline and teamwork. Golf coach Puryear’s recognition points to a rising profile for golf programs at HBCUs, a sport slowly gaining traction and national visibility in the Black college athletic community.
Administratively, the honor for Derek W. Bryant as Sports Information Director of the Year emphasizes the growing role of strategic media relations in amplifying HBCU sports’ visibility. Bryant’s efforts in promoting Howard’s athletic storylines have helped elevate the entire department’s profile, contributing to improved recruiting and alumni engagement.
The 2025 HBCU Sports Awards also coincided with the formation of the historic HBC4Us Association, uniting commissioners of the four major HBCU NCAA conferences (SIAC, MEAC, SWAC, CIAA). This alliance aims to boost the competitiveness and sustainability of HBCU athletics, ensuring increased exposure and resource-sharing for schools like Howard.
Looking ahead, Howard University is positioned to build on its 2025 momentum with a roster of promising athletes and a staff recognized for excellence across multiple sports disciplines. With Harper leading the men’s basketball charge and strong leadership in women’s soccer, golf, and athletic administration, Howard is setting a blueprint for success that other HBCUs will aim to emulate. The university’s commitment to competitive excellence and cultural pride remains a compelling draw for recruits and a source of pride for alumni and fans alike.
Upcoming for Howard are key contests across the MEAC schedule, including several high-stakes basketball games and continued campaigns in soccer and golf that will test the Bison’s depth and resilience. The broader MEAC conference itself has seen a surge in competitiveness this summer, setting the stage for an exciting 2025-26 HBCU sports season.
As HBCU athletics continue gaining national traction through enhanced media coverage and organizational collaborations like HBC4Us, Howard University’s comprehensive success this year serves as a powerful example of the growth and vibrancy that define Black college sports today.
Kenneth Rashad