NFL
By Bill Carroll
In Part I of this article, HBCU wrestling is explored, focusing on the sport’s past and present. This sets up looking from the present towards HBCU wrestling’s future. In many ways, my alma mater, Norfolk State, was truly typical of what happened the HBCU wrestling in the past thirty years. Norfolk State University‘s wrestling program was discontinued in 1998. Before that, the Spartans of the mat had a rich history marked by success and achievements. The program produced numerous All-Americans and individuals who went on to make significant contributions to various fields.
So, it is time to dust off our headgear and cue up many mat-centered metaphors. HBCU wrestling is back on the mat, and the second period is just underway.
“I don’t think the timing could have been any better than what it is right now, having a full year to be able to get a coach in place and recruiting girls and being able to go in running, the timing is perfect,” Jones said. “And then just being able to be a part of that inaugural championship, it’s huge. I can’t even put into words like how big that is.”
Recently, Norfolk State staged a wrestling clinic in collaboration with the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, not only to celebrate the program’s proud legacy, but also to promote wrestling participation and explore how institutions can navigate the modern pressures of athletic compliance, funding scarcity, and recruiting, while rediscovering a sport that once offered Black athletes a unique proving ground when few others did.
When I said that NSU’s wrestling program had a proud and storied history, I thought ciach in my era Coach Lee, who, as a Spartan, wrestled at 177 pounds and was a four-time CIAA champion who lost just one match in four years. He put NSU wrestling on the map by becoming the school’s first-ever wrestling All-American in 1968. Lee was also a two-year captain for the Spartan football team. I walked on to wrestle at Norfolk State under coach James K. Lee. Though the death knell for the program was about a decade hence, it was clear that the program was closer to its closure than to its peak.
Norfolk State Wrestling Clinic Marks Return to the Mat and Possibly, a Reboot?
“I’m thrilled to lead a wrestling clinic at Norfolk State University, it’s where my wrestling journey began,” said Kirwyn Adderley, Norfolk State alumnus, two-time All-American, and lead clinician for the Norfolk State Wrestling Clinic. “It’s uniquely special to be on the mat with former teammates, athletes I once coached at NSU, and the women wrestlers I now mentor.
It’s an ambitious goal, but then again, so is executing a fireman’s carry on a 280-pound opponent. The Norfolk State Wrestling Clinic, June 28-29, 2024, was a collaboration with the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, and most recently was the 2025 “ The Spartan All American Camp”. The camp was coed for the first two days, followed by a USA Wrestling-sanctioned tournament on day three, the Summer Slam Tournament, July 26, 2025. The event is designed to spark participation and access to wrestling for a new generation of athletes. Kirwyn Adderley, Norfolk State wrestling alumnus, All-American, and lead Clinician:
“Hopefully, this is the first step in potentially bringing Division 1 women’s and men’s wrestling programs to Norfolk State University and the Hampton Roads area.”
NSU once boasted a proud, resilient wrestling tradition at the Division II level before the program was, like so many others, sacrificed at the altar of budget cuts in 1998. Still, the legacy endured: Norfolk State’s wrestling alumni didn’t just win matches; they became doctors, entrepreneurs, educators, soldiers, and civic leaders. Wrestling was never the endgame; it was the crucible.
“We’re thrilled to announce the Norfolk State Wrestling Clinic,” said Melody Webb, NSU’s Director of Athletics. “This milestone event honors the legacy of our wrestling program while opening the door to the sport for a new generation. I’m confident it will be a rewarding experience for participants, alumni, and the entire Spartan community.”
Indeed, Norfolk State’s mat history reads like a who’s who of grit and achievement. From Kirwyn Adderley (2nd in the nation at 134 lbs in ””89) to Chuck Daniels (U.S. Army World Class Athlete and All-American at 167 lbs), these Spartan legends didn’t just excel athletically; they turned wrestling’s values into careers of service and success.
Jonathan Mason, Sr., became a pastor, media executive, and humanitarian, whose impact now spans from Ghana to corporate America. Dr. Michael Wood, a published academic and education leader, Dr. Lee Isabell, a physician and HIV-care specialist, or Cameron Mix, a cancer survivor and Navy vet, who now builds both wrestlers and homes, after co-founding a carpentry business with his son. Also, there’s Christopher Pearson, who balances coaching high school wrestling with directing housing services, and Corey Williams, who somehow manages cloud tech for Oracle while moonlighting as a fashion designer.
These men were forged by the sport, and their return to campus was not merely symbolic. It’s strategic.
“This clinic represents a huge leap forward for the HBCU Wrestling Initiative,” said Jahi Jones, Executive Director of the initiative. “The Norfolk State wrestling alumni are phenomenal leaders. I’m honored to work with them and the university to reignite wrestling here. This is more than a clinic, it’s a blueprint for what’s possible.”
“Historically, Morgan has served as home to a nationally competitive, championship-caliber wrestling program, producing numerous national champions in the sport,” David K. Wilson, Ed.D., president of Morgan State University, said.
“We embrace this opportunity of being the only HBCU nationwide offering a D1 varsity wrestling program, and we invite those seeking a competitive athletic experience in this sport, and a world-class education, to consider Morgan State University.”
Wrestling With The Future: Can Women’s Wrestling Help HBCU Wrestling off the Mat?
With momentum building and an impressive legacy leading the way, the Spartan wrestling story might not be finished after all. It may just be about to execute a Granby Roll. If the Spartans return to the mat, perhaps this will signal a new wave of HBCU wrestling programs. The next wave may come from a surprising source.
The Delaware State Hornets’ women’s wrestling program has a chance to sting orthodoxy. From Jahi Jones, Executive Director of HBCU Wrestling Initiative:
“For HBCU Wrestling, hiring Coach Sloan represents more than a coaching decision, it’s a statement of purpose,” said “At a time when women’s wrestling is growing rapidly, Delaware State is setting the standard by investing in leadership, legacy, and opportunity for young women who will go on to become leaders and make a lasting impact on the world.
“Kenya Sloan has been a champion on the mat, but she’s also truly a champion off the mat. Her energy is contagious, her leadership is intentional, and her commitment to developing young women through wrestling is exactly what this moment calls for. She’s not just building a team; she’s building a foundation for leaders to be cultivated. We look forward to supporting DSU and Coach Sloan through this journey.”
HBCUs adding men’s wrestling must achieve equity with women’s sports or face compliance issues. Delaware State’s move to add women’s wrestling can satisfy Title IX, but other schools may need to add women’s teams or expand scholarships. Even if these are initially non-scholarship or pilot programs, the very nature of wrestling is to wait for your opportunity to score the winning point.
