5 Star Athletes Attending HBCUs

Due to recent events, historically black college universities, HBCUs, have been placed in the spotlight now more than ever. With newly elected Vice President and Howard Alumnus, Kamala Harris, and elected Senate and Morehouse Alumnus, Raphael Warnock, alongside other pivotal figures, historically black colleges are finally beginning to earn the respect that is due. These honorable mentions have forced many high school graduates to reconsider where they choose to receive their secondary degree. The long standing debate on five star athletes attending historically black colleges has also been brought back into the light. Why should five star athletes attend HBCU’s?

African Americans compose a close majority of Division 1 basketball and football teams,which bring in much of the revenue for these highly acclaimed institutions. Schools such as University of Kentucky, Duke, Louisiana State University, and University of Georgia, make college athletics a multi-billion dollar industry. According to NCAA Demographics as of 2019, 56% Division 1 basketball players and 49% football players are African American. Of those two sports, Historically Black College Universities (HBCUs) only make up about 7% of that total percentage. According to the University of Georgia’s Bulldogs’ financial report, their football team brought in approximately $73,865,915 for their 2018-2019 season, mainly stemming from their ticket sales. On the other hand HBCU athletic programs are nearly paying for themselves. The revenue they typically generate from their games are disbursed to pay for the operations of their athletic department.

HBCU’s aren’t known for producing professional athletes. Therefore they do not receive the funding and attention they need to attract them either. HBCUs only receive an eighth of the endowment of the average predominantly white institution. Some have urged our alum to make more investments into these athletic programs, so they can have the ability to recruit and attract these athletes. Others have urged more top ranked athletes to take a leap of faith and bring their talents to historically black college universities. Although HBCU’s are not known for producing these top tier athletes, it’s been done before and can be done again. Historically black colleges have produced professional athletes such as Mel Blount, Steve McNair, Robert Covington, and Kyle O’Quinn. This can be done again. Someone would just have to take the first step on this journey.

In 2020, Makur Maker took a leap of faith and chose to attend Howard University as the first five star recruit to commit to an HBCU. Maker did not choose to attend Howard because of their basketball program, but he chose to attend Howard to make that first step, hoping that his exceptionally talented peers will follow. Maker had intentions of becoming a pioneer of a movement with an understanding that this journey would not be easy. However, Maker knew his commitment went beyond the outcome or stats of his rookie season. He was looking for representation, and Howard’s mission to legacy, history, and pride inspired him to make this decision. As special as Maker is, one recruit will not change an entire program, but with some time and a gradual increase in these recruits only time will tell. Maker knew that someone had to take that first step.

Elite athletic talent would bring more revenue to HBCUs, ultimately assisting black communities which creates a ripple effect to stimulating the black economy as a whole. It’s easier said than done, but it’s not inconceivable.

Courtesy of FoxSports

Mixon, Joshua. “Football Season Vital to Georgia’s Athletics Budget, Financial Report Shows.” Bulldogs Beat, The Telegraph , 7 May 2020, 05:00am.

Smeyers@ncaa.org. “NCAA Demographics Database.” NCAA.org - The Official Site of the NCAA, 4 Mar. 2020, www.ncaa.org/about/resources/research/ncaa-demographics-database.