Part celebration and part history lesson, the January 12 Association-wide session "Issues Affecting Historically Black Colleges and Universities" highlighted the unique athletics and educational experiences HBCUs offer student-athletes.  

Tennessee State University President Melvin Johnson moderated the panel that consisted of Pro Football Hall of Famers Harry Carson and Jackie Slater, Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams, NBA Hall of Famer Willis Reed and Olympians Mamie Rallins and Rochelle Stevens.

Their individual stories differed. For instance, Tennessee State's Rallins didn't arrive on the Nashville campus as a member of the women's track and field squad until she was 30, while Stevens, a standout track and field student-athlete, said she could have gone anywhere, and thought she was heading to a major Division I program like Tennessee before choosing Morgan State. However, collectively, they spoke of the emphasis on academic excellence, family atmosphere and high expectations of achievement beyond graduation they experienced as a result of attending an HBCU.

Carson, a two-time captain of the South Carolina State football team before going on to a stellar NFL career and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said he could have attended any school, but chose to go to South Carolina State because he wouldn't just get a chance to play, he'd also graduate – which he said was the most important factor in his decision.

In spite of limited resources, HBCUs have continued to produce high-achieving athletes and professionals, said Tennessee State's Johnson. Panelists strongly agreed that HBCUs are still relevant in today's athletics and academic landscape and emphasized the importance of continuing to recruit and provide opportunities to African-American student-athletes.   

Most of the NCAA's 62 HBCUs compete in four conferences -- the MEAC, SWAC, SIAC and CIAA.