Several years ago, the Howard University track and field program was laying the groundwork and building belief. Today, it’s building a legacy and chasing history.
Quiet ambition on Greene Stadium’s weathered has turned into a renaissance of dominance and pride, vividly illustrated in May when the women won their fourth consecutive MEAC Championship. The men won the inaugural National HBCU Championship in March – their first national title in 40 years.
The Bison aim to continue their rise this weekend in season-opening meets at Harvard, the HBCU & Ivy Challenge (Friday) and the Harvard Classic (Saturday). Howard seniors who watched and contributed to the program’s transformation are taking their final laps before passing the baton. The next generation of Bison track athletes take over a winning tradition that traces to 2022, when the women won their first MEAC Outdoor Championship since 1980.
“The biggest transformation is the way the program has grown into a true culture of excellence,” said senior sprinter Sanaa Morris, who joined the program in 2022. “When I first came in, we had talent and potential. But now there’s a clear standard in how we train, how we carry ourselves, and how we compete. The energy is more focused, more intentional, and more unified.”
Howard alum and Olympic champion David Oliver was named head coach in 2017, instilling new levels of discipline, professionalism and confidence. Athletes who come from losing programs adjust their baseline. “The winning culture stood out to me – especially on the women’s team – and the men are always in contention,” said senior hurdler Jorim Bague, who transferred from the University of New Orleans last season. “Winning is expected here and as a transfer, we adopt that same expectation.”
Oliver’s credentials (bronze medal in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2008 Beijing Games) play a pivotal role in Howard track’s visibility. His experience and technical insights are major draws. Graduate student Marcia Sey, an Ohio State transfer, made Bison history in June by qualifying for the finals at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships, where she won bronze in the 100-meter hurdles. She made more history in the 100-meter relay, on the first Bison sprint relay team to earn All-American honors.
“Having an Olympian as a coach is great because his background helps attract more high-level athletes,” said senior jumper Sean Wray, among the team’s longest-tenured members. “Over the years we’ve put more athletes on the map, including those who have competed in the Olympics. That allows us to recruit at a higher level and has raised our standard, not just to win the MEAC but to potentially become Olympians.”
Morris said Oliver introduced more structured training cycles, refined technical development and a cultural foundation that now defines the program, all making huge differences. “But honestly, what has impacted us the most is the belief our coaches have in us,” she said. “When you know your coaches genuinely care about your growth and see your potential, you show up differently.”
Both teams are ready to keep it going, with the women looking to extend their dynasty and the men looking for their first MEAC championship since 1985. Everyone is hungry and anxious to prove themselves again, whether by setting personal records or earning points. “Our goals are to dominate the conference, qualify more athletes for NCAA regionals and nationals, and continue raising the standard across all event groups,” Morris said.
“A successful indoor season would mean PRs across the board, staying healthy, executing our training, and bringing home hardware as a team.”
The future appears bright for the Bison, who have cultivated a strong group of underclassmen and welcomed a talented freshman class ready to build upon the Howard’s growing legacy. “The transition is really about to multiply because the young athletes all have that same drive,” Wray said.
“If they keep that standard, the program will continue to grow exponentially.”
Mason Bligen is a senior civil engineering major and mathematics minor at Howard University from Queens, New York.
