Johnson C. Smith College (JCSU) soccer not suits the label of a feel-good underdog story. The Golden Bulls have planted themselves on the nationwide HBCU stage, and now they plan to make historical past at one of the iconic venues in America. JCSU will face Morehouse School within the Essence Kickoff Basic at Harvard Stadium, the primary HBCU soccer recreation ever performed in Boston.
For President Valerie Kinloch and head coach Maurice Flowers, the matchup means extra than simply one other recreation. It symbolizes validation of a program constructed on educational rigor and athletic ambition.
“Athletics at Johnson C. Smith College is critical. It’s the entrance porch to the establishment,” Kinloch stated. “What you will notice of our soccer program is nothing wanting excellence. It’s a new period of excellence at JCSU.”
A Program Reborn — and Documented
When Flowers returned to his alma mater three seasons in the past, JCSU struggled via many years of mediocrity. The Golden Bulls averaged simply 2.3 wins per 12 months throughout 40 seasons. Since his arrival, nevertheless, this system has climbed: 2–7, 7–3 with a bowl look, and eight–2 with a nationwide High-25 rating.
That rise hasn’t simply been felt on the sphere — it has been documented. HBCU Gameday chronicled the turnaround in “Brick x Brick with JCSU Soccer,” produced by HBCU Gameday Head of Inventive Wali Pitt. The docuseries will observe the Golden Bulls to Boston as Season 3 movies the historic Harvard matchup.
“Our motto for this season is ‘Not Finished But,’” Flowers stated. “We ended final season 8–2, however we left issues on the desk. We’ve received extra work to do.”
Scholar-Athletes First
Each Kinloch and Flowers stress that lecturers stay on the core of JCSU soccer. The staff GPA now stands at 3.1, with a objective of reaching 3.5. Fifteen of the 22 seniors carry GPAs above 3.2.
“Soccer is admittedly vital. Lecturers is admittedly vital. Our soccer gamers perceive that they’re scholar-athletes, so there is no such thing as a athletics with out lecturers,” Kinloch stated.
Flowers constructed his program on that very same precept: “Day one, our objective was win the grades, enhance — the wins will come. And that’s what’s occurred.”
Expertise on the Subject
On the sphere, JCSU owns one of the balanced rosters within the CIAA. The Golden Bulls led the league in passing final season, return a deep group of operating backs, and added quarterback Kelvin Durham, a switch Flowers beforehand coached at Fort Valley State.
“That is probably the most gifted roster we’ve had since we’ve been at JCSU — on each side of the ball,” Flowers stated. He additionally praised the protection, which completed No. 1 within the CIAA in 2023 and nonetheless ranks among the many deepest models within the league.
Historical past at Harvard
The Harvard stage affords greater than symbolism. It provides JCSU the possibility to showcase itself on nationwide tv at one of the recognizable educational establishments on the earth.
“It’s historical past — the primary HBCU recreation at Harvard Stadium, on nationwide TV. We don’t take that frivolously,” Flowers stated.
But Flowers reminded everybody to not overlook the opponent. Morehouse enters Yr 2 beneath head coach Terrance Mathis, and Flowers sees similarities. “We respect Morehouse. They’re quick, they’re sturdy, and so they remind me of us two years in the past. We’re not taking them frivolously.”
For Kinloch, the second highlights the broader power of HBCUs — educational, cultural, and athletic. “When individuals low cost us, we’re right here to say, don’t — we pave our personal approach,” she stated.
For Flowers, the sport represents the reward for years of constructing. “To now have sold-out video games and be competing for championships, it does my coronary heart proud. We’ve constructed a program — not only a staff.”
On Saturday in Boston on the Essence Kickoff Basic, JCSU could have an opportunity to show that the Golden Bulls aren’t simply chasing historical past — they’re making it. And the journey shall be preserved, ‘Brick x Brick’, for the world to see.
