Now with college football ending soon, Black college basketball should be moving in the weekly spotlight, especially women’s hoops.
Jackson State plays at Minnesota Wednesday Dec. 11. It is the first of two HBCUs scheduled to play the Gophers this season – Prairie View A&M visits on Dec. 20.
“It’s an exciting time to be part of the SWAC,” declared PVAM Coach Sandy Pugh, now in her sixth season. A four-time SWAC Coach of the Year, the nearly 20-year veteran coach have to her credit seven conference regular season titles, four tourney crowns, four NCAA berths and four NIT appearances.
“I think in this league, in this conference, by far our coaches are exceptional and can coach at any level,” reaffirmed Pugh. “This conference has come a long way in a short period of time and so have the quality of coaches.”
“We really have done a phenomenal job of putting together a product of excellence at A&M,” added Dawn Thornton, who was hired at Alabama A&M this past April. She brings a ton of coaching experience, including nine seasons at Prairie View.
“When the A&M job came around, what was very intriguing to me is to understand the brand of A&M represent,” recalled the HC. What attracted me to A&M was (the) administration,” namely school president Dr. Daniel K. Wims, Thornton pointed out. “He has done a phenomenal job for our department of athletics.
“If you are going to have success, you have to have support from administration, and we have that,” stressed Thornton.
The first-year coach pointed out that HBCU women’s hoops’ time to shine is coming: “We have done a real good job pushing the athletic and academic side. We want our platform. We want to playing in front of a crowd and make it about us,” surmised Thornton.
MEAC announces 2025 HOF Class
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced on Monday the five members of the 2025 Hall of Fame Class. The group will be officially enshrined during the week of the 2025 MEAC Basketball Tournament.
- Patricia Cage-Bibbs, Hampton/N.C. A&T State – coached at Hampton (1997 to 2004) and won four league regular season titles and three MEAC tournament titles. Later she coached at NCA&T (2005-10) and won three regular season titles and a tournament crown. She also was a three-time coach of the year winner
- Oliver “Buddy” Pough, South Carolina State – The winningest coach in school history, Pough won two Black College National Football titles and eight total MEAC titles, four coach of the year honors during his 21-year career
- Rashida Suber, Coppin State – From 2004 to 2008, she played for the Lady Eagles and helped Coppin State to a 64-6 MEAC mark and undefeated conference records in her soph and junior seasons, including 41 straight wins. Suber also played in three NCAAs, a WNIT, 2007 MEAC Player of the Year, 2005 All-Rookie team, and three time all-league.
- Tarik Cohen, North Carolina A&T State – A star running back, Cohen holds the MIAC career rushing yards record (5,619) and total carries (868), and won MVP at the 2015 Celebration Bowl
- Harvey Reed, Howard – A standout running back for the Bison (1984-87) and help the school win the 1987 MEAC Championship. He finished with 4,142 rushing yards, 38 touchdowns and averaged 6.5 yards per carry and 103.6 yards per game
Finally …
Two former local prep stars received top performers recognition for their past week individual performances:
Joshua Strong (Howard) – Had nine points, four steals, two assists and a rebound against No. 14 Cincinnati
Kierra Wheeler (Norfolk State) – Scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a win over St. Louis