I had the privilege and honor of being one of twelve former alumni who participated in a weekend of activities culminating in our induction into the Tuskegee University Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2025. Activities included a formal banquet, the very first night football game ever played at Cleve Abbott Field and a Baccalaureate service on Sunday in the University Chapel. Inductees received Hall of Fame jackets, rings and polo shirts. It is recognition for which I am extremely proud. Britt Keith Lyle, inducted for his exploits and accomplishments as a tennis player, made what I considered a profound observation at the conclusion of his acceptance speech, which I believed captured the essence and unity of our class: We may have played different sports, but we are one team. Most, if not all of us, were meeting for the very first time and over the course of three days we formed an unbreakable bond.
Browsing: Sports
The 2025 US Open is honoring Althea Gibson, one of the most influential figures in tennis history, marking 75 years since she broke the sport’s color barrier. Gibson, a Florida A&M (FAMU) University alumna and the first Black player to win a Grand Slam title, is being celebrated throughout the tournament with events that highlight her legacy and the ongoing impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in tennis.
On Sunday, Hunter suited up for the Jacksonville Jaguars in his first NFL game. His debut was more than just stats—it was a cultural and style statement.
Delaware State earned its first victory under new head coach DeSean Jackson, defeating Albany 37–32 in Dover on Saturday night. The Hornets’ home opener became a marathon HBCU matchup, stretched over 7½ hours because of two lightning delays. As a result, Jackson’s first collegiate win came long after the scheduled finish, but it was worth the wait for the home fans.
Bethune-Cookman University announced on Monday that its game against Southern University — billed as the Tampa Bay Football Classic — has been relocated back. Instead of taking place in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it will be moved back to Daytona Municipal Stadium.
The echoes of history rang through concrete arches as Johnson C. Smith (JCSU) and Morehouse took the field at Harvard Stadium for the inaugural Essence HBCU Kickoff Classic. The 118-year-old arena — often called “America’s Colosseum” — became the unlikely stage for a cultural collision: HBCU football meeting Ivy League tradition in a packed house that felt more like a homecoming than an out-of-conference season opener.
Nunnie on the Sideline
Martin Caraballo, 21, from Lauderhill, Florida, has been boxing since the age of 8. He is a 2023 Gold Golden Champion and a three-time Silver Gloves Regional Champion (2017, 2018, 2020). Now competing professionally, Caraballo holds a record of 1 win, 1 draw, and 0 losses. Outside the ring, he enjoys riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers, a passion rooted in Florida culture. Driven by a desire to succeed and provide for his family, Caraballo is currently training for his biggest opportunity yet — a fight on the Canelo vs. Crawford undercard.
For the very first time, ESPN’s most-renowned sports talk show, “First Take,” is coming to Daytona Beach and the campus of Bethune-Cookman University. The on-site live show will take place inside Richard V. Moore Gymnasium on Thursday, Nov. 20.
History will be made this Saturday when HBCU football comes to Boston for the first time. The Essence HBCU Classic will feature Morehouse College and Johnson C. Smith University in a matchup at Harvard Stadium beginning at 4 p.m. ET.