WASHINGTON (January 30, 2026) - Over the years, Howard University has produced scores of student-athletes and coaches who have left an indelible mark on the program's rich history.
 
From All-Americans to NBA, MLB, NFL Super Bowls and Olympics medalists, the program has had more than its share of proud achievers in the sports and athletic arena. But none has arguably had the impact as Dr. Paul A. Cotton.
 
Dr. Cotton transitioned this week, but his legacy will live forever in the hearts and minds the many whose lives he touched.
 
He came to the Hilltop in 1978 as a scholarship athlete in the sport of wrestling, along with some of his classmates from Dunbar Vocational High School in Chicago.
 
Brian Jordan is one of those five classmates who came to Howard and known Dr. Cotton for 52 years.
 
"It was Paul, two other wrestlers, me and another football athlete," recalls Jordan. "We attended Dunbar Vocational High School in Chicago and it was foreign to us to even be considering an institution like Howard because most of the students from the projects where we grew up, wanted to take up trades."
 
Jordan admits that while the group was apprehensive, he says that Cotton strongly encouraged them to dare to be different.
 
"Even back then, he had that way of motivating and encouraging when you doubted your ability."
 
Dr. Cotton would go on to excel in the sport of wrestling at Howard despite his size (5-feet, 98 pounds). While he was here, the Howard wrestling program became a power in the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) at that time. Dr. Cotton was so impactful that he was named to the Olympic team as an alternate.
 
Dr. Cotton would go on to pursue and receive three degrees (Bachelor of Science,' 83, Master of Science, '88 & PhD., '00). In an effort to give something back to the University that he loved so much, he accepted the head coaching job, making him one of the youngest in the country at that time.
 
"It was important for him to come back and coach because it was like a full circle for both of us," states Jordan, which he would serve as lieutenant of HU Campus Police for five years.
 
Dr. Cotton was recognized for his extraordinary leadership; first in 1995 when he was named the MEAC Coach of the Year and then in 2000 as the NCAA Easten Region Coach of the Year.
 
The University would eventually drop the wrestling program due to Title IX, but Dr. Cotton still had much to give to Howard. He would go on to serve in numerous capacities, including member of the HU faculty and a participant with Bison Express, the fundraising arm of Howard Athletics.
 
Dr. Cotton would soar to even greater heights.
 
His federal career started in 2000 as a Category 3 scientist in the Community Nutrition Research Group in the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center at the Department of Agriculture. He also served as a program director and team lead at the National Institute of Nursing Research and as assistant division director in the Division of Receipt and Referral at the Center for Scientific Review.
 
In 2016, he left NIH and joined the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA's research agency, as national program leader for public health nutrition. He later served as a director in the Nutrition Division at the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition where he led efforts to apply science-based knowledge to solving complex problems in the food and agricultural sciences.
 
Despite his full plate, Dr. Cotton found time to support Howard Athletics.  He attended all the home athletic events and often traveled to away contests and postseason competition. He also served as a mentor for countless student-athletes over the years as they tried to navigate their way through the complexities of balancing academics and athletics at Howard.
 
His contributions do not stop there. The tireless Dr. Cotton, often referred to as the unofficial archivist for Howard Athletics, was the ultimate researcher and had more information on the University athletic accomplishments over the years than perhaps anyone at the University.
 
One of the most important contributions came via social media. Dr. Cotton would often document live Howard athletic events and post them on social media to share with those who may not have been able to attend.
 
We could go on and on, but here are some testimonials from those who knew him and worked closely with him over the years in various capacities:
 
Dr. E. Newton Jackson, former HU swim coach and current chair of the Department of Health, Human Performance & Leisure Studies
 
"Dr. Paul A. Cotton was a Howard University living legend, which grew from 45 years of walking the campus after arriving from Chicago in 1978. He lived in Slowe Hall, was a stellar student athlete, later joining the HU faculty where he taught and mentored countless HU students. He was a unique, giving soul that graced our lives but for a short time and will be missed by anyone that met him. RIP my friend, an HU Icon."
 
Professor Deborah K. Johnson, Faculty/Academic & Esports Advisor/MEAC FAR-Faculty Representative, who worked with Dr. Cotton when she was with the Department of Athletics:
 
"My interaction and education to the true sport of Wrestling was during the home matches and when we worked on hosting the NCAA Quarterfinals at Howard. With Coach Cotton's networking skills, we were able to secure/borrow wrestling mats from several nearby colleges".  I never had a better time at a match or tournament and HU surprised and appreciated their officials' jackets. Rest in Power."
 
Bruce Williams, former Howard athlete, a Howard Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and current President of the Bison Express:
 
"It is very simple. If someone was looking for a role model; that embodies all that Howard University stands for, then it was Paul Cotton. He was a model as a student-athlete, a coach and leader among young men. And he was involved in anything that helped make a positive difference. We will certainly miss him, but his legacy will live forever."
 
Milton Hopkins, wrestler for the Howard wrestling team:
 
"Paul left behind a legacy that has taught us all a lot. He was so many things to so many people. His work and dedication will live forever. His life and dedication should be an example to us all."
 
Howard is better for having Dr. Paul A. Cotton as a beacon for the University for so many years. Rest in power and peace.

Chevonne Mansfield, Howard Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director & Senior Women's Administrator:
 
"I had the privilege of knowing Dr. Cotton at multiple points in my Howard journey. He was always there, always supportive, always reminding us of the history and pride of Howard Athletics. His love for Howard and our student-athletes was unwavering and he will be deeply missed."
 
For more information, visit the official Howard Athletics website www.hubison.com.