Morgan State University Restores Wrestling Ring With $2.7 Million Grant

Sports

By ShaCamree Gowdy Published: October 28, 2021

Morgan State University Restores Wrestling Ring With $2.7 Million Grant

Morgan State University is getting its student athletes back in the wrestling ring, thanks to a $2.7 million donation. (Photo Source: Morgan State University)

In Summary

Morgan State University is ready to rumble thanks to a $2.7 million donation, making it the only HBCU in the country with a NCAA Division I Varsity wrestling program.

Morgan State University is bringing competitive collegiate wrestling back to its athletic program following a 24-year hiatus, making it the country’s only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to do so at the NCAA Division I Varsity level, per a press release.

Morgan’s Athletic Department received a $2.7 million grant from HBCU Wrestling (HBCUW), a new project reestablishing wrestling programs on HBCU schools, in conjunction with billionaire philanthropist and former hedge fund manager Mike Novogratz.

“Wrestling teaches leadership. Fifteen of our 46 presidents wrestled as well as many important business, political, and community leaders,” said Novogratz, CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners. “That is what HBCUW is about, it’s about growing the sport of wrestling and our bench of future Black leaders who will make our nation more justice and prosperous. I fully support the HBCU Wrestling Initiative and hope that many others will help push this endeavor forward.”

The Morgan Bears have a long and illustrious wrestling history dating back to the early 1950s, which came to a halt after the 1996–97 season, in part, due to a lack of funding. They dominated competition throughout the ‘50s and into the 60s, winning the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships for three consecutive years beginning in 1963.

James Phillips took over in the program in the 1970s, leading the Bears to extraordinary success for the next 20 years. They won 13 MEAC championships during Phillips’ tenure and hosted the NCAA Eastern Wrestling Regional Championship in 1984.

The substantial financial gift will not only support men’s wrestling at Morgan, but up to nine full scholarships each year too. In addition to wrestling’s resurgence, Morgan State’s Department of Athletics is constantly evaluating the University’s sport portfolio to increase access, equity and opportunities for present and future Morgan students.

“In partnership with Morgan State, we are working to enrich the HBCU experience and look forward to having more underrepresented students get involved with the wrestling community,” said Jahi Jones, Director of HBCUW.