SHOW SOME RESPECT

ATHLETES OF COLOR ARE RETURNING TO THEIR ROOTS IN SEARCH FOR A NEWER, WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

BY AMELIA HAGGINS

When the topic of blue blood college football teams comes to mind, the usual suspects, such as the University of Alabama or the University of Georgia, are attributed to having some of the best college football programs of all time. Although these universities have sustained dominance for the past 20 years, their well-known talent did not always stem from acquiring a large, diverse number of highlyrated student athletes. After the all-white Alabama team faced a stunning defeat at the hands of the integrated University of Southern California (USC) team in 1970, a culture of heavily recruiting individuals in African American communities who had previously only been able to attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) emerged. HBCUs, which were once outlets for black players to play at competitive levels without risking their safety in Jim Crow America, became the breeding place for predominately white institutions to find and recruit talent on full-ride scholarships. This culture still remains today as black players make up 60% of the athletes in Division I (D1) football programs. However, the trend of black players committing to predominantly white institutions is shifting now as HBCUs are rapidly being included in the football landscape both athletically and financially. Despite the commonly held views surrounding football at HBCUs, their athletic programs are facing a substantial incline in national recognition and should not be overlooked by college football fans and lovers.

One reason why HBCUs are becoming just as influential as DI teams is because of a recent surge in HBCUs popularity and involvement in the recruiting landscape. In the past, HBCU football and athletics were seen as “unsophisticated” and merely a stepping stone in a player’s journey to eventually attend a D1 program. This perception seeped into the recruiting world where students of color were lured by Power Five coaches to join new colleges and conferences. However, a recent incline in HBCU enrollment is largely attributed to the interest, consideration and ultimate commitment of star players to HBCUs. This growth in HBCU athletic commitment initially started in basketball with prospect Makur Maker, who was suspected by analysts to commit to a traditional basketball powerhouse. However, when summer of 2020 approached, Maker announced his commitment to Howard University, an HBCU in Washington D.C. Ultimately, Maker’s daring decision to have a different path in his collegiate basketball career encouraged other high profile recruits in both basketball and football to consider HBCUs. The surge of commitments by exceptional prospects to HBCUSs have added a semblance of admirability to largely black universities whose collegiate football influence had previously been ignored.

Although a recent surge in HBCU commitments is surprising certain analysts, such developments in the recruiting world did not occur overnight. Throughout the course of the past two and half years, racial and social unrest has plagued both the older and younger generations of America. Recent racially motivated incidents and protests, such as Black Lives Matter, have pushed black athletes to become more in touch with the

African American community and culture. Established to serve the educational needs of black students in higher education, HBCUs continue to play an active role in the holistic development of black students athletes while also being a epicenter for past and present black culture. As they reflect on the racial trauma which has recently stricken black communities, black athletes are beginning to realize their worth in the sports world. Power Five institutions are slowly losing a deep-rooted allure now that black athletes are expressing their interest in HBCUs and an environment with other people of color who share their same culture or interests.

To coincide with an increase of black talent reentering HBCUs, there has also been a new spike in partnerships, sponsorships and philanthropic efforts with HBCUs. In comparison to their predominantly white counterparts, HBCUs have endured years of ill funding. State underinvestment and lower endowments have placed HBCUs at an economic disadvantage. In recent years, however, HBCUs have been receiving more economic representation through partnerships and brand deals with distinguished companies and individuals. For example, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) signed a six year partnership with Nike and Lebron James. Furthermore, the highly publicized football show College Gameday aired the first episode for the 2021-2022 college football season at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge football game between North Carolina Central and Alcorn State. By forming strong athletic and social partnerships with HBCUs, companies are increasing the work pipeline of black students into entertainment professions, while also introducing HBCUs to more areas of the public.

Although efforts of HBCU inclusion and commitments have spiked in the past year, large numbers of five star prospects and recruits continue to commit to college football powerhouses. According to 247 Sports, Alabama has signed the nation’s top ranked recruiting classes eight times in the past 10 years, with the other two years going to the University of Georgia. Although programs such as Alabama and Georgia consistently continue to sign five star classes, HBCUs are responding to such signings with notable head coach hires and active involvement with the National Football League (NFL). Jackson State, Tennessee State and Morgan State University all hired famous former NFL players to place their once losing football programs financially and athletically back on track. Moreover, the NFL has recently made multiple accommodations to include HBCUs in the scouting process. These accommodations include the creation of the HBCU Combine and the HBCU Legacy Bowl. Made to showcase talent of HBCU players entering the NFL Draft, these programs will introduce both NFL teams and football watchers to the influx of players being developed and coached at HBCUs.

As the 2021-2022 college football season reaches the halfway point of in-conference play, college football watchers should tune in to an HBCU matchup when they are not cheering for their teams. The energy of the bands, talent and stands are sure to leave a lasting impression of the HBCU experience.