Tyra Perry Illinois softball coach reflects on 700 career wins, Big Ten diversity and the people who make coaching worth every moment in an MSR interview.
HBCUs
Posted inOdds and Ends
HBCUs still fighting for respect in March
HBCUs made the 2026 NCAA Tournament field in historic numbers for the first time since 1994, with five programs earning wins and sparking a conversation about long-overdue recognition.
Posted inNational
The Best Things to Happen to Black People in 2025
The best things to happen to Black people in 2025 showcase excellence, progress, and joy across culture, sports, education, and community.
Posted inAnother View
No respect for HBCUs among local media
Minnesota will host two HBCU opponents this month, but local mainstream media are unlikely to give the games meaningful coverage. HBCU advocates say this pattern fits decades of inequitable sports reporting, making Black owned media outlets like the MSR critical for visibility, respect, and fair representation.
Posted inOpinion
Lifeline for Black student parents at risk
Last month, Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Katherine Clark reintroduced the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Reauthorization Act to keep the program running through 2031 and increase its funding to $500 million annually. CCAMPIS is designed to help low-income student parents cover the cost of child care. It can fund on-campus or […]
Posted inAnother View
College athletes get paid, but many questions linger
With a $2.8B settlement in House v. NCAA, schools can now pay student-athletes directly. Critics say the move raises new concerns about gender and racial equity in college athletics.
Posted inCommunity Voices
Why are Black men disappearing from HBCUs?
Black men are disappearing from historically Black colleges and universities, which is a systemic issue that starts with traditional schooling and is exacerbated by structural, societal, and peer influences.
Posted inOpinion
HBCUs keep doing more with less
UNCF’s “Transforming Futures: The Economic Engines of HBCUs” report highlights the urgent need for equitable and sustainable funding for HBCUs to ensure they can continue their vital role in promoting social mobility and economic growth.
Posted inBlack College Sports Weekly
S.C. State Bulldogs join AFCA FCS Coaches Poll at No. 23, Jackson State also featured
South Carolina State and Jackson State are the only HBCUs ranked in the AFCA FCS Coaches Poll, with S.C. State’s Einaj Carter named Offensive Player of the Week and Morgan State’s Sahr Gbundema named Rookie of the Week.
Posted inSports
Twins expand relationships with HBCUs to provide opportunities for students
The Twins organization is expanding its relationships with HBCUs to provide summer internships and opportunities for students to make a career in sport.
Posted inSports
UMES volleyballers know how to put on a good show
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore has a thriving women’s volleyball program, which is the top sport on campus each fall.
Posted inSports
Black college volleyball competes at national level
Howard University’s volleyball team, led by Coach Shaun Kupferberg, has become one of the top teams in the MEAC conference.
Posted inNews
Biden-Harris administration surpasses $16 billion in HBCU funding, marking historic milestone
The Biden-Harris Administration has surpassed a $16 billion funding milestone for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) from fiscal year 2021 through FY 2024.
Posted inSports
NCAA selections overlook HBCU champs
HBCU teams Jackson State, Norfolk State, and Howard competed in the NCAA and NIT postseason tournaments, but were not given the respect they deserve due to their low seeding and new rules.
Posted inSports
HBCU Week films on public television celebrate Black athletic and academic excellence
PBS’ WORLD Channel premiered two HBCU Week films in February.
Posted inSports
Funding disparities keep HBCU sports at a disadvantage
HBCU coach Courtney Simmons believes that financial support is the most important factor in overcoming the disparities between HBCUs and PWIs.
Posted inSports
Diversity gaps remain wide among college coaches
The struggle for diversity in college basketball coaching continues.
Posted inOpinion
Bridging the nation’s digital divide for the next generation
It’s important for Black college students to have a grasp of digital skills even before they set foot on an HBCU campus, but the “digital divide” is likely to have already set them back.
Posted inLocal & State, National, News
Diversity on campus post-affirmative actionÂ
The year California voters approved an affirmative action ban at public universities in the state in 1996, Black and Latino enrollment at the University of California, Berkeley and UCLA fell by 40 percent.
Posted inNational, News
HBCUs revamping admissions policies amid affirmative action decision
Last month’s ruling by the high court, which prohibits colleges from considering race during the admissions process, has sent ripples through the academic landscape.