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HBCU Female Athletes 'Left Behind' in the Shifting College-Sports Landscape
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Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, December 6th 2025 at 16:16 GMT by Chicago Tribune- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
HBCU Female Athletes: “Left Behind” in a Changing College‑Sports Landscape
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long been a cradle for African‑American talent—academic, cultural, and athletic. Yet, a 2025 Chicago Tribune investigation has spotlighted a growing chasm in the treatment and support of female athletes at these institutions. While men’s programs at many HBCUs receive the bulk of resources, women’s teams are increasingly “left behind,” struggling with limited scholarships, inadequate facilities, and a scarcity of high‑profile opportunities that can propel their careers.
The Funding Gap: Numbers That Don’t Lie
The Tribune’s report, which cites data from the NCAA and the Office of Equity and Inclusion, reveals that HBCU athletic departments receive only 14 % of the total sports budget that their non‑HBCU counterparts command. Within that fraction, female‑sports budgets are a mere 6 % of total HBCU athletic spend—one‑third of the allocation to male teams. The article links to a recent NCAA study titled “Equity in College Sports: A 2024 Overview,” which provides a deeper dive into the disparities in scholarship distribution. While the NCAA has been tightening Title IX compliance, the study shows that HBCUs lag in converting federal oversight into tangible support for women athletes.
Facilities: A Staggering Contrast
On campus, the difference is stark. At North Carolina Central University, the women's basketball squad trains in a cramped gym that doubles as a classroom during the day. The men’s team, in contrast, enjoys a brand‑new indoor arena with a dedicated training wing. The Tribune’s photo‑essay (which includes a side‑by‑side comparison of the two facilities) underscores the broader national trend: women’s teams at HBCUs often use the same facilities as men’s teams, but without the same level of maintenance, equipment, or scheduling priority.
This facility gap also extends to travel and lodging. The article quotes a former athlete from Prairie View A&M who says, “We often stay in cheap motels that have no locker rooms or showers. It’s not just a financial burden—it’s a mental one.” In contrast, her male teammates sometimes have access to team‑owned buses and hotel suites, a luxury that helps them focus on performance.
Coaching and Staff: A Shortage of Role Models
The Tribune highlights a “coaching pipeline problem” that disproportionately affects women. HBCUs often hire male coaches for both men’s and women’s sports, leading to a lack of female leadership in women's athletics. The article references a linked piece titled “Women Coaches: The Missing Link at HBCUs,” which shows that only 12 % of head coaching positions for women’s sports at HBCUs are held by women, compared with 48 % at non‑HBCUs. This lack of representation not only hampers mentorship opportunities but also contributes to higher turnover rates among women’s athletes.
Stories on the Field: Courage Amid Constraints
The Tribune gives voice to individual athletes who illustrate the broader systemic problems. A standout point guard from Howard University—whose name is withheld due to privacy concerns—has broken multiple conference records. Yet, she describes how she had to sell her car to afford a new pair of sneakers, while her teammates were still wearing the same shoes from last season’s equipment drive. Another story follows a track sprinter from Southern University who sustained a season‑ending injury during a practice that lacked proper medical supervision. She was forced to skip an entire national meet because the university could not cover her travel expenses.
Each narrative is paired with quotes from university administrators who admit to budget constraints. “We want to support our athletes, but the reality is that we have to prioritize the sports that generate the most revenue,” one dean admitted. Another coach emphasized that the lack of high‑profile media coverage for women’s games compounds financial woes, making it harder to attract sponsorships.
Potential Remedies: Federal, Private, and Institutional Action
The article argues that the only way to rectify the inequity is to address the root causes. The linked “NCAA HBCU Funding Initiative” outlines a proposed 2026 plan to allocate $150 million across all HBCUs for women’s sports scholarships and facility upgrades. However, critics say that funding alone is insufficient if not coupled with accountability mechanisms—such as annual reporting on scholarship distribution and facility maintenance.
Private donors are also stepping up. A profile on the Chicago Tribune’s “HBCU Alumni Spotlight” shows a recent donation by a former NFL player who pledged $2 million to build a state‑of‑the‑art training center for women’s basketball at a West Coast HBCU. The initiative includes scholarships and a hiring plan for a full‑time female athletic director.
At the institutional level, the Tribune calls for a shift in culture. “The narrative must change from ‘HBCUs are good for our community’ to ‘HBCUs are a launching pad for elite athletes, especially women,’” writes the lead author. She proposes the creation of an inter‑institutional consortium that pools resources for shared travel, coaching clinics, and joint recruitment events. The Tribune cites an example from the linked article “Cross‑Campus Collaboration: How Two HBCUs Are Tackling Travel Costs Together,” showing how shared budgets saved $300,000 last year.
A Call to Action
While the article does not present a definitive solution, it underscores a simple truth: the current trajectory leaves HBCU female athletes at a distinct disadvantage. Their talent and ambition are no match for a system that underfunds, understaffs, and under‑equips them. The Tribune’s investigative report calls on the NCAA, federal agencies, alumni networks, and the universities themselves to act decisively. Without a comprehensive, sustained effort to level the playing field, the promise of HBCUs as a springboard for future champions will remain unfulfilled.
In the words of the Tribune’s featured athlete, “If we’re not given the same tools and opportunities, how can we expect to win on the national stage?” The article’s comprehensive analysis—supported by statistics, firsthand testimonies, and actionable recommendations—serves as both a wake‑up call and a roadmap for stakeholders committed to equity in collegiate athletics.
Read the Full Chicago Tribune Article at:
[ https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/13/hbcu-female-athletes-left-behind/ ]
