ORLANDO, Fla. (May 31, 2024) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) hosted its yearly All-Sports Awards Dinner in Orlando, Fla., where the Howard University Department of Athletics won the 2023-24 Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award. The league announced Thursday (May 30), presented at the Walt Disney World Resort, in association with Disney on the Yard, held in conjunction with the league's annual spring meetings.
 
Howard racked up its third consecutive award (seventh overall), tying the longest streak in school history set back in the late 1980s (1988, '89 & '90).
 
"I extend my congratulations to Howard University, including President Dr. Ben Vinson III, Director of Athletics Kery Davis and the entire athletic department for winning the Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award," said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills.
 
The all-sports award is an indicator of the overall strengths of the conference's women's athletic programs. Howard was presented with a $20,000 check.
 
Howard finished with 56.5 points, securing conference titles during the indoor and outdoor track & field championships. HU also placed runner-up in cross country, volleyball, women's basketball, tennis and softball during the regular season.
 
"I am so proud of our coaches, student-athletes, administrators and support staff on this accomplishment," said Howard Director of Athletics Kery Davis, 2023-24 NACDA Athletic Director of the Year. "The hard work and dedication each individual put in everyday paid off and we look to build on this going into the 2024-25 year. President Vinson and I would like to thank Commissioner Stills, the MEAC and Disney for this incredible achievement."
 
Norfolk State (NSU) captured the 2023-24 Talmadge Layman Hill Men's All-Sports Award, tallying 47 points. HU finished behind the Spartans with 37 points, highlighted by a MEAC title in football and runner-up finishes in indoor and outdoor track & field and men's basketball.
 
In addition, Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) was honored academically, posting the MEAC's highest academic progress rate (APR), while Coppin State (CSU) was recognized as the 2024 recipient of the MEAC's Highest Graduation Success Rate (GSR). The Eagles' 83-percent GSR is the highest among MEAC institutions spanning the 2013-16 cohorts.
 
Both, NSU and UMES, were presented $10,000 checks while CSU took home a $25,000 check.
 
"Receiving these awards is indicative of the overall strength of their athletics programs," Stills continued.
 
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 given 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.