NORFOLK, Va. (June 9, 2022) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) hosted its yearly All-Sports Awards Dinner in Orlando, Fla., where the Howard University Department of Athletics swept this year's honors: Talmadge Layman Hill Men's All-Sports Award and the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award. The awards were presented at the Disney Contemporary Resort and Convention Center, in partnership with Disney on the Yard, held in conjunction with the conference's annual spring meetings. The league announced Friday morning.
 
Howard racked up its second consecutive Mary McLeod Bethune award (sixth overall) while earning its first Layman Hill honor since 1988 (fourth overall). Additionally, HU swept both trophies for the first time since 1988.
 
"Congratulations to Howard University, including President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, Director of Athletics Kery Davis, and the administrators, coaches, student-athletes and support staff for winning both the Talmadge Layman Hill Men's All-Sports Award and the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award," MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills said. "Receiving these awards is indicative of the overall strength of their athletics programs, and the Bison had a phenomenal 2022-23 academic year."
 
The all-sports awards are indicators of the overall strengths of the conference's men's and women's athletic programs. Howard was presented with two $20,000 checks, one for each award.
 
Howard tallied 43 points in the men's all-sports tally, edging out Norfolk State (41.5). On the season, HU won its first men's basketball outright title since the 1986-87 season while earning a share of the league championship in football, the first since 1993. The Hilltop also had three runner-up finishes in cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field.
 
For the women, HU registered 53.5 points after winning the Triple Crown in cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field (first time in school history). Howard also earned a shared or the regular season title in volleyball while placing second in women's basketball.

"I am so proud of our coaches, student-athletes, administrators and support staff on these accomplishments," said Howard Director of Athletics Kery Davis. "The hard work and dedication each individual put in everyday paid off and we look to build on this going into the 2023-24 year. President Frederick and I would like to thank Commissioner Stills, the MEAC and Disney for these incredible achievements."
 
Points are awarded in a descending order, beginning with nine (9) points for championships or first-place regular-season finishes. The second-place team receives seven (7) points. Tied teams split the point total.
 
Points were awarded for regular season finishes in every sport but cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field, where points were awarded based on finishes at MEAC championships.
 
Disney on the Yard is an initiative established in 2020 to deepen The Walt Disney Company's existing engagement with HBCUs. The initiative also will help build a robust, long-term pipeline of Black talent through the development of student internships, mentorship opportunities, internal HBCU cultural series, virtual career showcases for students, and more.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the MEAC website at www.MEACSports.com.