WASHINGTON (August 28, 2023) - When Philip Gyau was hired to head up the Howard University men's soccer program nine years ago, there were doubters. After all, he was a first-time head coach who was inheriting one of the most storied athletic programs among all HBCUs, having won not one, but two national titles (1971 & 1974).
 
Surprisingly, most of the doubts centered on whether he could continue the winning legacy on the field, but rather, if he could build the program back to the lofty academic standards of the past.
 
Gyau's challenge was compounded by the fact that the program was coming off probation.
 
"There were those who questioned if I could get the academic past of the program back on track," recalls Gyau, former HU standout and one of the most respected members of the soccer community. "The goal was to get back to the tradition of winning on the field and excelling in the classroom."
 
In silencing his doubters, he not only met the expectations; he exceeded them in the academic areas.
 
"We had a 3.5 team GPA last year and have not had one below 3.0 since I took over," he says proudly.
 
Gyau feels that he has now found that blend of talent on the field, along with the academic standards.
 
"The thing about building a great soccer program at Howard is that you are competing against some of the top programs in the country for these student-athletes," noted Gyau. "If a young Black soccer player has qualified for Howard University, then other schools are going to go after him."
 
The recruiting challenges has unquestionably impacted the program in recent years, along with injuries.
 
The team finished 2-11-2 (1-5-1 NEC), but many of the matches were close. The Bison did not have the scoring or depth to win games.
 
"This is the best team since I started nine years ago," says Gyau confidently. "We now have the players that, when we are healthy, can play at a high level."
 
For Gyau, it all starts with Roy Henderson, a 6-foot-3, 195-pound graduate midfielder from Fredericksburg, Va.
 
"Roy is our team leader," said Gyau. "When he was injured in the first game of the season, it changed everything for us. He is so versatile and does so much for us that you cannot measure.  Getting him back is huge."
 
He also talks glowingly about Bryson Baker (Ellicott City, Md.), Alex Taylor (Atlanta, Ga.) and Jackson Lewis (Alexandria, Va.).
 
"We need Bryson to score," says Gyau.
 
Others who Gyau points out are Peter Gansallo (Bowie, Md.), Brandon Franklin (Glen Dale, Md.) and Nathan Leggett (Apex, N.C.).
 
SCHEDULE
 
Gyau again has one of the toughest schedules in the country with their first eight games are on the road, featuring matches at Pitt (Aug. 28), NC State (Sept. 12), Penn State (Sept. 27) and Duke (Oct. 24).
 
"In the past, I was not able to take risks but with this team, I feel differently," Gyau stated. "This nonconference schedule will help prepare us for conference play. The next step is to win on the field. That would be a great marriage for the Howard University soccer program."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.