With the rise of curiosity and success in HBCU athletics, HBCU Sports activities founder and writer Kenn Rashad feels honoring the athletes and directors on the forefront of this motion is a mandatory and vital endeavor.
“I believed this was the suitable time to take a second to acknowledge the people who make what we do potential,” Rashad stated upon asserting the inaugural HBCU Sports activities Awards that can happen through livestream on Saturday, July 27, 2024.
“I don’t suppose, general, that most of the people understands how these individuals are requested to take action far more with much less. There are a plethora of areas the place individuals merely don’t get the simply due for the issues that we take into account the little issues which can be truly fairly large within the totality of what they need to cope with.”
Rashad credit Jarrett Carter Sr., previously of the HBCU Digest, for the inspiration behind these awards. Earlier than shifting on to a profitable profession in academia, Carter created, operated, and hosted the annual HBCU Digest Awards, which targeted extra on educational success. Rashad, who was current for one of many Digest Awards ceremonies, stated he’s been fascinated with this concept for near 10 years and determined to behave on it now.
“I’m a type of individuals who doesn’t wish to transfer ahead with one thing if it isn’t excellent,” he admits. However seeing all the things that’s occurred the final 4 years, it seems like that is the suitable time to do it, even when it isn’t precisely how I’d prefer it to be.”
Rashad stated that award classes will likely be finalized and introduced by the tip of Could, and nominations will likely be introduced mid to late June. Presently, between 35 and 40 tentative award classes, each particular person and crew/program/group, are on the desk.
He additionally harassed that this can be a grassroots occasion, which means there are not any sponsors for the time being (Rashad is welcome to the thought of companies, companies, and organizations sponsoring the occasion), so assist from varied ranges will likely be vital.
“That is one thing that’s actually ‘For Us, By Us’,” he says. “This is a chance for HBCU stakeholders to be part of one thing that would probably be greater than all of us. If we don’t assist ourselves or these on this explicit area, who will?”
The inaugural 2024 HBCU Sports activities Awards will acknowledge the accomplishments of student-athletes, coaches, and directors for his or her work in the course of the 2023-24 educational 12 months.
Sponsorship alternatives can be found for events and so they can contact Kenn Rashad at promote@hbcusports.com.
