RADCLIFF, Ky. -- Rice FAME Group proudly announces the recipients of the 2025–2026 HBCU Makeda Excellence Awards. The awards recognize exceptional athletes, coaches, and band leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Former Benedict College standout Zack Washington was named the men's track and field Athlete of the Year.
 
Washington capped off a stellar 2025-26 school year by being named a NCAA Division II All-American in the long jump at both the indoor and outdoor national championships, finishing fifth both times. He also was an outdoor All-American in 2025. At the 2026 SIAC Outdoor Championship, he won the long jump, finished second in the javelin, and placed seventh in the high jump. He also won the long jump at the HBCU Indoor National Championship.
 
Each recipient was selected by a majority vote of peer coaches and band directors representing programs affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA), and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Voting was highly competitive in several categories, including one that resulted in a tie.
 
Nominees were submitted by athletic representatives from 78 four-year HBCU athletic programs. Ballots were distributed to those institutions, enabling head coaches to vote for fellow coaches and athletes in their respective sports. All information included in this announcement was provided through institutional submissions.
 
The HBCU Makeda Excellence Awards are named for Queen Makeda, the celebrated Queen of Sheba. According to tradition, she was among history's wealthiest women, and her wisdom was renowned enough to challenge the legendary King Solomon of Israel. She is also credited with contributing to the growth of Solomon's wealth, which enabled him to build the first Temple. Ethiopian tradition holds that Solomon permitted their son, Menelik I, to take the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia, where it is believed to remain. The Solomonic dynasty began with Menelik I and ruled Ethiopia until 1974.
 
Howard University led all institutions with 10 awards. Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Coppin State University, Edward Waters University, Kentucky State University, and Wiley University each received two awards. Benedict College, Central State University, Dillard University, Southern University at New Orleans, and Tennessee State University also produced award recipients.

2025–2026 Honorees:

• · Band: Dr. Rodney Chism, Kentucky State — Band Director of the Year.
• · Baseball: Miguel Oropeza, Alabama State, and Daniel "DK" Donaldson-Fountain, Edward Waters — Co-Athletes of the Year; Reginald Johnson, Edward Waters — Coach of the Year.
• · Football: Andrew Body, Alabama State — Athlete of the Year; Felton Huggins Jr., Kentucky State — Coach of the Year.
• · Men's Basketball: Jaylon Hicks, SUNO — Athlete of the Year; Nolan Smith, Tennessee State — Coach of the Year.
• · Men's Cross Country: Javoun Goldsby, Wiley — Athlete of the Year; Christopher McConnell, Wiley — Coach of the Year.
• · Men's Golf: Vicente Rodriguez, Alabama A&M — Athlete of the Year; Sam Puryear, Howard — Coach of the Year.
• · Men's Track & Field: Zack Washington, Benedict — Athlete of the Year.
• · Men's Volleyball: Ben Latham, Central State — Athlete of the Year.
• · Softball: Maryn Jordan, Howard — Athlete of the Year; Tori Tyson, Howard — Coach of the Year.
• · Women's Basketball: Zennia Thomas, Howard — Athlete of the Year; Ty Grace, Howard — Coach of the Year.
• · Women's Bowling: James Moore, Alabama A&M — Coach of the Year.
• · Women's Cross Country: Alexis Jones, Howard — Athlete of the Year; Dameon Morgan, Howard — Coach of the Year.
• · Women's Golf: Marley Franklin, Howard — Athlete of the Year; Sam Puryear, Howard — Coach of the Year.
• · Women's Track & Field: Yahnari Lyons, Howard — Athlete of the Year; Nile Legania, Dillard — Coach of the Year.
• · Women's Volleyball: TaKenya Stafford, Coppin State — Athlete of the Year; Tim Walsh, Coppin State — Coach of the Year.

The 2025–2026 class reflects the depth of talent and leadership across HBCU athletics, from championship-winning coaches and nationally recognized athletes to historic program milestones. The Rice FAME Group's fifth annual awards continue to spotlight excellence and achievement across the HBCU community.