Historically Black Colleges sports have been receiving wide recognition with abundant media coverage and big-time commitments to universities over the beginning of the fall season.
HBCUs are known to be rich in culture and tradition and are celebrated worldwide.
It is no secret that HBCUs have produced many many great athletes and hall of famers in all sports.
Starting center for the Grambling Tigers Kyle Davis is encouraged by the recognition the SWAC has been receiving.
“I love it! The SWAC produces a lot of great athletes and it feels good to know we are finally getting the recognition and respect we deserve as competitive athletes,” Davis said.
Much of the newfound recognition is from the major involvement and support of legends in the sports world such as NFL Hall of Famer and Jackson State University head football coach Deion Sanders.
Sanders recently also went on a rant in a postgame interview after beating FAMU about players names not being on the back of their jerseys and even went as far as to say he would pay for every football team in the SWAC to have this done.
Davis said he appreciates Sanders’ efforts to try and fight for SWAC football players names on their jerseys.
“I mean his efforts and good intentions are truly appreciated, he has and will bring a lot of attention and recognition to the SWAC and it’s players,” Davis said.
The SWAC has been getting recognition in basketball as well.
Five-star high school recruit Mikey Williams put Alabama State, North Carolina Central, Texas Southern and other HBCU programs in his initial top 10 for college recruitment.
Davis said seeing other HBCU sports receive big-time recruiting and the subsequent media coverage is encouraging.
“Man it feels good to see the love other HBCU sports are getting. We all work hard and sacrifice for the sports we love so it feels good to know that the younger generations see that and want to join, especially the top recruits in the nation,” Davis said.
In media the SWAC has been getting a lot of television coverage which is beyond helpful to the advancement in recognition of the conference and putting more players in the league.
This season Grambling family, friends and classmates have been able to watch the first games.
The season opener between Grambling vs Tennessee State in Canton, Ohio for the Black College Hall Of Fame Classic which was aired on the NFL Network .
Game two versus the University of Southern Mississippi and game three versus University of Houston also saw wide broadcasts.
“The feeling is unreal. Yes, I’ve played TV games before but when you play on a platform that big the feeling is unmatched, especially with my family and peers being able to watch but also the world which is huge for the conference,” Davis said.
