Athletes at historically Black colleges and universities receive less attention than athletes at predominantly white institutions despite being just as talented.

The 2021 NFL draft was the ninth time since 2000 that no players were selected from an HBCU. In 2020, only one HBCU player was selected in the NFL draft.

Athletic programs at HBCUs receive less national media exposure, funding and support compared to athletic programs at PWIs.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference is made up of HBCUs in the Southern United States. SWAC games are broadcasted on national TV less than other collegiate athletic conferences. This limits the amount of national media coverage HBCU athletes receive.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Cameron Kinley has a lot of respect for HBCUs despite attending the U.S. Naval Academy.

“I definitely think HBCU athletes are left out of the media spotlight,” said Kinley. “Games aren’t often broadcasted on TV, and it is harder to get national exposure.”

Only one SWAC game is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN this year. There are two SWAC games scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2.

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Will Richardson, Jr. said a lack of media coverage negatively impacts HBCU athletes.

“Making it to the NFL is about exposure,” said Richardson. “One way I believe the media can help is by broadcasting more HBCU games on national television.”

Despite the challenges HBCU athletes face, some athletes decide to transfer from a PWI to an HBCU. Some of these students have said there is a noticeable difference in the support that HBCU athletic programs receive compared to PWIs.

Former Missouri State basketball player Dariauna Lewis transferred to Alabama A&M University to improve her mental health and connect with her roots. Lewis is second in the NCAA for rebounds per game and is a leading player of multiple categories in the SWAC.

“A narrative that needs to be changed is that Black kids go to HBCUs because they can’t get into bigger Power Five schools,” said Lewis. “I transferred from a big DI program, so I am a walking example that we can get into bigger schools.”

Former West Virginia cornerback Tacorey Turner transferred to Alabama A&M because he wanted a different cultural experience.

“Give HBCU athletes more exposure like athletes received at my previous PWI,” said Turner. “HBCUs should also get more credit and attention in the media.”

HBCUs are historically underfunded. From 2010 to 2012, 61% of HBCUs in America did not receive their full state funding, according to a report by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. 

Underfunding makes it harder for HBCUs to get resources and attract top recruits.

Alabama State University baseball player Jayden Sloan would like to see more top recruits make the decision to play at HBCUs. 

“Top recruits going to HBCUs will contradict the narrative that athletes only choose HBCUs because they didn’t have another option,” said Sloan. “I believe top recruits deciding to come to HBCUs will help bring in more funding for athletic programs.”

Alabama A&M sprinter Nicholas Powell said he is excited to see top recruits beginning to choose HBCUs over PWIs. 

“It’s sad that athletes have to make the sacrifice right now to see HBCUs prosper in the future, but it’s extremely courageous of them,” said Powell. “The decision to come to an HBCU over a PWI as a big-name athlete will literally affect generations to come.”

This story was published in the Legacy Edition. View the complete issue here.