WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Nearly 26 years after Howard University opened its doors, collegiate football was established and HU welcomed a new kind of student to "The Mecca". 125 years later, Howard football boasts a legacy of historic wins and football alumni standouts.
"The 2017 season was an exciting football season and incredible opening season for Head Coach Mike London," exclaimed Howard University Director of Athletics, Kery Davis. "This next season represents the 125th Anniversary of Howard University football. Showcasing the rich tradition of not only Howard football, but Howard athletics and the university as a whole."
In celebration of all these illustrious year of football. Howard will name the 2018 season of football – The Year of Legacies and Legends. Throughout the year, HU Athletics will showcase a number our outstanding football alumni and teams, comments from current head football coach Michael London and director of athletics Kery Davis and embark on an extended early bird ticket sale and a capital campaign to raise funds for a new press box and athletic needs.
Over the last 125 years, HU Football boasts five National championships (1920 (Edward Morrison), 1925 and 1926 (Louis L. Watson), 1993 and 1996 (Steve Wilson), and three conference championships (1912 and 1914 (Edward Marshall) and 1993 (Steve Wilson). And most recently, HU's first winning season since 2012, guided by an historic 43-40 win over UNLV to open the 2017 season.
Along with the team accomplishments, comes an array of expectational football alums. Willie Jeffries and Doug Porter (College Football Hall of Fame members) and over 20 Howard alumni who are current NFL players or played: Antione Bethea, Jay Walker, Ron Bartell, Gary Harrell, Billy Jenkins and Marques Douglas just to name a few.
Under the direction of Charles Cook, Howard University established its first football squad in 1893. The program remained independent from 1893-1911, until HU, Hampton University, Lincoln University, Shaw University and Virginia Union University founded the Central Collegiate Athletic Association on 1912. In its last conference move, the Bison joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as a founding member alongside Delaware State, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State.
This season, the Bison will host five games: Savannah State - Community Day | Faculty & Staff Appreciation (September 15), Delaware State - Organization Day | Breast Cancer Awareness (October 13), South Carolina State - HOMECOMING (October 27), Florida A&M - Military Appreciation Day (November 3) and Bryant - Senior Day (November 17). HU will also participate in the 35th Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Ind., against Bethune-Cookman (September 22). The matchup marks the first time in 20 years that Howard played in the classic. In 1998, Howard beat B-CU by a score of 32-25 inside the RCA Dome.
For more information visit HUBison.com or contact Ariel V. Germain (202) 515-6623.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATION
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