Delaware State University has made a groundbreaking announcement that it will become the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to establish a Division I women’s wrestling program.
The initiative is being backed by the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, which has pledged $1.25 million towards the program’s creation, highlighting its commitment to promoting wrestling at these institutions.
The timing of this decision aligns well with important developments in women’s wrestling. The plan is to kick off competitions in the 2025-26 academic year, coinciding with a pivotal moment for the sport, as it is anticipated to transition from being classified as an emerging sport to achieving NCAA championship status.
Additionally, wrestling among high school girls is currently the fastest-growing sport in the United States, further increasing excitement around this initiative.
Jahi Jones, the executive director of the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, expressed his enthusiasm, stating that the current timing is ideal for establishing the program.
He emphasized that having a whole year to recruit a coaching staff and athletes will pave the way for a strong entry into competitive wrestling. Jones described the opportunity to participate in the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championship as monumental, remarking on its significance for the sport and the athletes involved.
Alecia Shields-Gadson, the athletic director at Delaware State, highlighted the advantages of integrating women’s wrestling into the university’s athletic offerings.
She mentioned that this partnership provides a valuable platform for female student-athletes to both compete and inspire others, marking an exciting new chapter for the university’s sports programs.
In recent developments, Morgan State University, the only other HBCU to offer wrestling at the Division I level, launched its men’s wrestling program for the 2023-24 season with support from the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, which contributed a substantial $2.7 million donation.
Jones hopes that the new programs at Morgan State and Delaware State will encourage more HBCUs to embrace wrestling for both men and women.
He has been in discussions with other institutions to consider starting similar programs, although specific names have not been disclosed.
Moreover, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics has recommended that all NCAA divisions sponsor legislation to establish a women’s wrestling championship, a critical step towards officially recognizing it as a championship sport.
A vote on this matter is scheduled for January, which could reshape the future of women’s wrestling within the NCAA.
The announcement from Delaware State is part of a broader surge in American women’s wrestling that has gained international recognition.
In a recent achievement at the Summer Olympics in Paris, Team USA athletes such as Sarah Hildebrandt and Amit Elor secured gold medals, marking a historic moment as it was the first time countries outside Japan earned more than two golds in women’s wrestling since the sport debuted in the Olympics in 2004.
Additionally, Kennedy Blades won a silver medal, and Helen Maroulis earned bronze, allowing Team USA to achieve medals in four out of six weight classes, celebrating American talent and success in this growing sport.