WASHINGTON (August 7, 2025) - Paul Sumners played three years (1983-85) of varsity for the Howard University baseball team under iconic coach Chuck Hinton. Before transferring to The Mecca, Sumners spent one year at James Madison University where he briefly played football for the Dukes after graduating from The Hun School of Princeton in New Jersey.
 
Sumners was a true utility player, playing every infield position and filling in once as a relief pitcher. He also was a catcher for a complete game. In 1984, Sumners guided the Bison to a MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Championship, defeating Bethune-Cookman. The following season (1985), he was selected to the MEAC All-Tournament Team.
 
Sumners was able to follow in the footsteps of his cousins, former athletes Steve Sumners (swimming/diving) and Jeff Sumners (baseball), as he arrived at The Mecca. While at Howard, Sumners played the game with another Trentonian, the late Paul Pintella, along with fellow Howard University Hall of Famer Tony Mack.
 
In 1985, Sumners graduated from Howard with a degree in finance and earned a master's degree in education with a focus on sport and athletic administration at Temple University (1989). While attending graduate school, Sumners worked for the Urban League of Metropolitan Trenton, ultimately securing a position with the State of New Jersey.
 
Sumners continued his professional development in public service, working in several state government agencies. He was a certified NFL player agent for several years. Sumners closed out his government career as chief financial officer of New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Commission.
 
Sumners is committed to mentoring youth and remains involved in the Trenton, New Jersey community as a youth football and baseball coach. Over 50 of his former players have competed at the collegiate level, including his son, Christopher, who had an opportunity to play football at both Stonehill College and Howard.
 
These days, Sumners works part-time for Mercer County in New Jersey, serving in the Finance-Treasury Office. He continues to engage in youth athletics as a travel baseball coach and co-head coach of the first-year football team, along with head coach of the junior varsity baseball team at Trenton Central High School.
 
He is a proud brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, having pledged at Howard in the spring 1983, and remains active, holding a position on the Board of Trustees at his high school alma mater.
 
Sumners' lifelong dedication to leadership, education and athletics embodies the lessons learned at Howard. He has transitioned from being a multi-pronged athlete on the diamond to nurturing future generations of student-athletes. Sumners exemplifies what it means to be a Bison off the field. His experiences represent and illustrate the power of service, community and HBCU excellence.
 
About Where Are They Now?
 
The weekly series of "Where Are They Now?" appears on Thursdays throughout the year.
 
The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.
 
All interested former athletes and their coaches should submit a short bio, a recent head shot and contact information on how they can be reached via email to Deyla Davis (deyla.davis@bison.howard.edu) and Derek W. Bryant (derek.bryant@howard.edu).
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.