STILLMAN COLLEGE ATHLETICS JOINS HBCU ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Stillman College Department of Athletics has officially became a member of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference on July 1.

“The HBCU Athletic Conference is dedicated to nurturing the whole student-athlete through strategic partnerships, conference expansion, and sharing the rich heritage of our member schools,” said HBCUAC Commissioner Kiki Baker Barnes. “We are moving in a direction that continues to show why we are the place Where Winners Thrive.”

The transition was announced in October 2023 as the HBCUAC, previously the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, declared the new addition.

The Stillman Tigers spent six seasons in the Southern States Athletic Conference. During that time, the college qualified for 10 national tournaments.

Stillman will bring a winning reputation to the table as it makes a return to a conference consisting entirely of HBCUs.

“Today is monumental, as Stillman returns to an HBCU conference and the NAIA’s only HBCU conference,” said Stillman College Athletic Director Terrance Whittle. “We believe our athletics footprint, geographical location, institutional values, academic standards, and historical lineage align with the HBCUAC standards.”

The new league consists of the following institutions: Stillman, Dillard, Fisk, Oakwood, Philander Smith, Rust, Southern New Orleans, Talladega, Tougaloo, Virgin Islands, Voorhees, Wilberforce and Wiley.

“Moving to the HBCUAC will provide our entire institution and the city of Tuscaloosa increased exposure through championship hosting opportunities, HBCU+ media rights agreements and will reignite past rivalries and create new rivalries,” said Whittle.

Stillman will compete in the HBCUAC in men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and men’s and women’s track and field.

As an associate member, Stillman’s men’s and women’s bowling programs will remain in the Southern States.

Stillman has a history of athletic success, with over 20 conference team championships, 32 national tournament appearances across five sports, and four sports programs to have had student-athletes become professional athletes, such as the 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Jeff Henderson.

“We are excited to begin this new era and will continue to make our alumni and the city of Tuscaloosa proud as we build upon a tradition where winners thrive not only in competition, but in the classroom and in the community,” said Whittle.