CROSS ROADS, Texas (July 26, 2026) – HBCU Sports celebrated and honored the achievements and people in Black College with its third annual Sports Awards show where Howard University won six awards. The program took place Saturday (July 25) and streamed live on YouTube through the HBCU Sports Channel, hosted by its well-rounded crew of Kenn Rashad, Chris Stevens and Jarrett Hoffman.
 
Howard Athletics capped off the night, winning Program of the Year. During the 2025-26 season, HU racked up 10 conference titles while taking home the MEAC's (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) Mary McLeod Bethune Women's All-Sports Award for the fifth straight year (ninth overall), the longest streak in school history.
 
Howard softball head coach Tori Tyson won Softball Coach of the Year after becoming the first Bison in program history to receive MEAC Coach of the Year. During the 2026 campaign, HU posted a 28-19 mark (18-3 MEAC) while claiming its second straight regular season and tournament titles and appear in back-to-back NCAA Regionals. On March 1, Howard secured one of its biggest victories in school history, knocking off Power 4 opponent Minnesota at the Hillenbrand Invitational.
 
HU Director of Golf Sam Puryear claimed his second straight Golf Coach of the Year after leading both squads to NEC Championships. The men's team earned its third consecutive league title and NCAA postseason appearance. For the women, they won their first conference title in program history and first ever appearance to the NCAA Tournament. Puryear was also named NEC Men's & Women's Golf Coach of the Year.
 
Cross Country standout Alexis Jones (New Windsor, N.Y.) received Women's Track & Field Runner of the Year after leading the Bison to the MEAC Championship. She was named the league's Outstanding Performer after winning the meet with a 17:49.10 mark.
 
Marley Franklin (Los Angeles) earned Women's Golfer of the Year after winning NEC Golfer of the Year and leading the Bison to their first conference championship in program history. In her final season, she averaged 74.1 strokes per round and won the league's individual title (April 19).
 
Howard Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information Derek W. Bryant rounded out the accolades, winning Sports Information Director of the Year for the second consecutive year.
 
Entering the event, the Bison led all schools with 20 nominations.
 
Overall, HBCU Sports recognized student-athletes, coaches and administrators in 46 categories across the entire HBCU athletics landscape.
 
On Aug. 19, Howard Athletics kicks off the 2026-27 campaign with women's soccer hosting crosstown rival George Washington at Greene Stadium.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com and/or the HBCU Sports website at www.HBCUSports.com.