HBCU wrestling has reached a historic milestone. Kenya Sloan has been named head coach of Delaware State College’s NCAA Division I girls’s wrestling crew—the primary of its form at any traditionally Black school or college. She now leads greater than a crew. She leads a cultural shift in collegiate athletics.
How Household Fueled Kenya Sloan’s Wrestling Journey
Sloan’s wrestling journey started at age seven, impressed by her youthful brother. Their bond formed her early motivation to compete.
“I bear in mind having the ability to simply have the reference to him and for us to have the ability to do one thing collectively that we each beloved and was laborious for each of us,” she mentioned.
That encouragement stayed together with her all through her youth. “He’d be ready on the aspect of the mat for me to return off… and there’s no person who wished to see me win greater than my brother,” she added.
Sloan Made Historical past in Tennessee Wrestling
Throughout highschool, Sloan grew to become a four-time ladies’ state champion in Tennessee—a record-setting achievement.
“It was non-negotiable for me to wish to say championship 4 occasions,” she mentioned. “Once I select one thing, I’m a bit cussed so it was straightforward to remain targeted on it.”
Delaware State Advantages from Faculty Success
At Campbellsville College, Sloan earned a nationwide title and led each on and off the mat.
“I went to varsity with an open thoughts,” she mentioned. “I knew if I used to be gonna wrestle in school I used to be gonna dedicate myself to it.”
Furthermore, she stayed grounded. “I knew something that I did wherever was a illustration of myself and my household and it was setting me up for my future,” she added.
Sacred Coronary heart Strengthened Her HBCU Wrestling Imaginative and prescient
Earlier than arriving at Delaware State, Sloan served on the teaching workers at Sacred Coronary heart College.
“My greatest takeaway teaching at Sacred Coronary heart actually gave me an pleasure for this Division 1 motion,” she mentioned. “It impressed me to pursue Division 1 alternatives elsewhere simply to supply once more extra alternatives for individuals who have that dream.”
She left with greater than expertise. “I felt like I received to hitch one other a part of the household,” she mentioned. “Although I’m not their coach anymore, these ladies are nonetheless my household.”
Mentorship Is Central to Sloan’s Delaware State Mission
Along with wrestling, Sloan co-authored “Can We Go to Lunch?”, a guide on mentoring teenagers, together with her mentor, Kendra Berry.
“Writing by means of among the classes that we discovered helped me to see how a lot weight there’s in influencing the lifetime of a teen,” she mentioned.
Consequently, that philosophy now guides her teaching. “It helps me to stroll into this position with a little bit bit extra objective and possibly heaviness—however in a great way,” she added. “It’s a great heavy. It’s a great weight to hold.”
What HBCU Wrestling Will Look Like at Delaware State
At Delaware State, Kenya Sloan guarantees a aggressive, close-knit tradition.
“You possibly can anticipate a crew with nice camaraderie,” she mentioned. “But additionally a crew that exhibits up for enterprise. We don’t should be excellent—however we’ll give our greatest.”
Moreover, she sees this as a turning level for ladies in school wrestling, particularly at HBCUs.
Gratitude for HBCU Wrestling and the DSU Alternative
Sloan acknowledges this chance isn’t simply hers—it’s shared.
“I wish to particularly lengthen my gratitude to HBCU Wrestling,” Sloan mentioned. “Earlier than this was my dream, it was another person’s dream to begin a program and provides alternatives to girls who’ve by no means had this chance. They actually put within the legwork to creating positive that this was a chance.”
“They discovered folks like Delaware State College’s administration after which me to assist make that dream a actuality,” she added.
