Dillard University Bleu Devils

The Dillard Bleu Devils secured their first NAIA tournament berth since 2018 by clinching the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) championship. In a thrilling final, Dillard edged out Philander Smith College with a last-second layup, sealing a 19-11 season record. Entering the tournament as the 15th seed in the Duer Quadrant, they are set to face William Woods University (Mo.), a team riding a 23-game winning streak and boasting a 28-2 record. This matchup presents a formidable challenge for Dillard as they aim to make a deep tournament run. 

Florida Memorial University Lions

The Florida Memorial Lions earned an at-large bid to the tournament after a strong 23-7 season. Despite falling short in the Sun Conference semifinals to eventual champions Ave Maria University, their performance throughout the season secured them the 9th seed in the Naismith Quadrant. They will face Friends University (Kan.) in the opening round, a team that finished as runners-up in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) championship. Florida Memorial’s consistent play and resilience position them well for a competitive tournament showing. 

Langston University Lions

Langston University, an HBCU powerhouse, continues its dominance with a third consecutive Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) tournament title, culminating in a 24-7 record. Their championship game showcased resilience, overcoming a late deficit to secure a 65-62 victory over Nelson University. Senior guard Mario McKinney’s clutch performance and Bryce Monroe’s tournament MVP honors highlight the team’s depth and experience. As the 4th seed in the Naismith Quadrant, Langston faces Saint Mary (Kan.), marking their return to the national tournament after a 12-year hiatus. Langston’s recent success and experience make them a team to watch in this year’s tournament. 

Stillman College Tigers

The Stillman Tigers return to the NAIA tournament for the first time since 2022, earning an at-large bid with an 18-11 record. Despite a semifinal loss in the HBCUAC tournament, their strong regular-season performance secured them the 16th seed in the Liston Quadrant. They are set to compete against LSU Alexandria, the Red River Athletic Conference champions with a formidable 28-2 record. This opening-round game presents a significant challenge for Stillman as they aim to advance further in the tournament. 

Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush

The Xavier Gold Rush continue their tradition of excellence with their fifth NAIA tournament appearance in six seasons, holding a 20-9 record. Despite an early exit in the Red River Athletic Conference tournament, their overall performance secured them the 14th seed in the Cramer Quadrant. They will face Ave Maria University (Fla.), the Sun Conference champions. Xavier’s experience and resilience make them a formidable opponent in the tournament. 

The inclusion of these five HBCU teams in the 2025 NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship highlights the talent and competitiveness within HBCU athletics. As the tournament unfolds, these teams will not only represent their institutions but also the rich legacy of HBCU basketball on the national stage.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Stillman College announced a transformative $2 million gift to its endowment from Dr. Charles M. Stillman, the great-grandson of the HBCU founder, Reverend Charles Allen Stillman. This generous contribution marks a significant milestone in the college’s mission to ensure its long-term sustainability and to continue fostering excellence in education for generations to come.

The gift, which was presented as part of the Alabama Power Community Giving Reception, highlights the collaborative spirit of philanthropy and community investment in Stillman College’s future. By contributing to the endowment, Dr. Stillman and his wife, Susan, are helping to secure the institution’s financial foundation and ensure that it can continue to serve students for years to come.

“This remarkable gift from Dr. Charles M. Stillman and his wife not only honors the legacy of Rev. Charles A. Stillman but also propels the college toward a stronger and more sustainable future. As part of the funds raised during the Alabama Power Community Giving Reception, it reflects the collective commitment of individuals and organizations who believe in our mission to transform lives through education,” said Kimberly Woodard, Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Stillman College President Dr. Yolanda W. Page also shared her gratitude for the Stillman family’s long-term giving to the institution, which was founded in 1876 by Dr. Charles Allen Stillman during his time as lead pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa.

“We are deeply honored by this extraordinary demonstration of faith in Stillman College’s mission. Dr. Charles M. Stillman’s legacy is not only one of familial ties but also of visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the values upon which this institution was founded. This generous gift is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Stillman family and its belief in the power of education to transform lives,” Page said.

The $2 million donation will be strategically invested to ensure the principal remains intact while generating sustainable returns that will support scholarships, faculty development, academic programs, and campus improvements. The endowment’s growth will help Stillman College maintain its competitive edge and expand opportunities for HBCU students to thrive academically and professionally.

Dr. Charles M. Stillman expressed his enthusiasm for supporting the college’s mission: “Stillman College represents the ideals and aspirations my great-grandfather envisioned when he founded this institution nearly 150 years ago. My wife and I are honored to play a role in securing its future and ensuring that generations of students continue to benefit from the transformative power of a Stillman education.”

This historic gift exemplifies the enduring connection between the Stillman family and the HBCU that bears its name. Dr. Charles M. Stillman, who resides in Seattle, Washington, was a longtime member of the Stillman College Board of Trustees and two-term chairman of the board. The gift underscores the importance of endowment growth in preserving the college’s legacy and positioning it for continued success in the evolving landscape of higher education.

For more information about this gift or how to support Stillman College’s mission, contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at advancement@stillman.edu.

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It was not only a historic win as Stillman’s first NAIA tournament victory in program history, but the first-ever victory by a historical black college and university (HBCU) in the NAIA Softball Opening Round. Stillman (36-13) also matches its single-season program wins record set last year at 36.

“The girls were excited. When we finally got here yesterday, some of the nerves went away. I had a feeling we might start a little slow this morning, and we did, but it’s great to be here. Like we keep preaching, we’re not here to just play two games, and obviously, we’re not now,” said Joel Penfield, Stillman head coach.

Next up will be top-seeded, and NAIA No. 7, Jessup University (36-9) of Rocklin, California. The game will start Day 2 of the Opening Round at 1 p.m. Tuesday at William Carey University’s Joseph & Nancy Fail Field.

“We’re Stillman. It doesn’t matter who they are, we just have to go play our game. That’s the way we’ve always been,” Penfield said. “It’s going to be a fight. We’re looking forward to it.”

The Grenadiers put up a fight early Monday, scoring an unearned run off Tiger starter Lexi McCray in the second inning and an earned run in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. Cassi Roman and Erin Templeman collected an RBI.

Ivey Moerland led off the top of the third inning and dove into the first base bag to beat out Stillman’s first hit of the game, but the runner was left stranded. The Tigers’ first run did not come until the top of the fourth, when Anniston Jones drew a leadoff walk and scored on a Karli Davidson sac fly to left.

The Tigers’ bats came alive with three runs in the fifth and sixth innings.

Katelyn Lankford singled up the middle to start the fifth and was run for by Katelynn Madison. Lauren Haskins later beat out a one-out bunt single. A wild throw advanced both runners into scoring position to set up a sac squeeze by Jones to tie the game, 2-2. Haskins later scored when Bailie Seales scored on an error at third, followed by an RBI single by Madison Bubel to put the Tigers in front, 4-2.

IUS scratched back a run in the bottom of the fifth, on an Autumn Oehlstrom RBI single. McCray (16-5) exited the game in position for the win with only one earned run among three total allowed. She gave up five hits and three walks through 4.1 innings.

Stillman pushed across three more runs in the top of the sixth on a Haskins two-run double and RBI single by Jones. Haskins and Jones finished the game with two RBI apiece, while Haskins and Bubel each had two hits to lead the Tigers’ offense.

Jasmine Wade pitched the final 2.2 scoreless innings to shut down IUS, allowing only one hit for her third save.

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Stillman Athletics Returns to its Roots
Stillman College’s move to the GCAC is a return to an HBCU conference after previously competing off-and-on in the NCAA’s historical black Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) from 1978-2016. Stillman returned to its NAIA athletics origins in 2016 and has competed in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) from 2018 through the end of the current 2023-24 season.

Director of Athletics Terrance Whittle said the Tigers are excited to join the GCAC as its newest member in the 2024-25 academic year.    

“The move marks a historical moment in the life of Stillman College as we are glad to be joining the only HBCU conference in the NAIA. We believe our athletics footprint, geographical location, institutional values, academic standards, and historical lineage align with the GCAC standards,” said Whittle, who is also the head baseball coach. “We look forward to Stillman’s championship programs reigniting past conference rivalries and creating new rivalries. We want to thank the Council of Presidents and Commissioner Dr. Baker Barnes for the opportunity to join this historical conference as we continue to uplift and educate our communities and our students.”

Fielding 11 intercollegiate athletics teams, Stillman College’s addition to the GCAC, along with Voorhees, furthers the GCAC’s goal to add softball as a championship sport in 2025. Stillman will also become the first GCAC member to field bowling programs.

The Tigers’ return to the NAIA in 2016 has been fruitful, with eight NAIA postseason appearances and more than a dozen individual or team conference championships across the department since 2018. Through Stillman College’s more than 60 years of athletics history, the Tigers have produced more than 20 conference team championships across four sports, numerous individual conference track & field titles, and 30 national tournament appearances across five sports. National championships have been won by individuals in men’s outdoor track and field, and men’s basketball was declared the 2021 HBCU Small College National Champion. Four sports programs have had student-athletes become professional athletes, including 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist Jeff Henderson (track & field).

The move to the GCAC is a return to conference rivalries with former SIAC opponents Rust College and Fisk University from the 1970s-80s, in addition to former NAIA rivalries from the 1960s against Dillard University, Philander Smith University, Talladega College and Tougaloo College. Talladega and Stillman both competed in the SSAC in 2022-23.

A New Partnership
With the entry into the GCAC comes great fanfare as Stillman College has been selected as the host site of the GCAC 2024 Hope Credit Union Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in early 2024. The tournament is the collaboration between the college and Visit Tuscaloosa, the local tourism destination marketing organization.    

“We are excited for Stillman College, as well as our executive director of sports, Stan Adams, on the announcement of the 2024 GCAC Basketball Championships,” said Kelsey Rush, president and CEO of Visit Tuscaloosa, a destination marketing organization. “Together, they successfully demonstrated why Tuscaloosa is a premier location for this tournament and we hope it is the beginning of a long-standing relationship.  We look forward to welcoming players and fans to our community as we deliver an elite-level tournament experience.”

Page agreed that the partnership between Stillman College and Visit Tuscaloosa has been a welcomed one.

“When I arrived in Tuscaloosa three months ago, I stated that Stillman would be a contributing member of the Tuscaloosa community,” Page said. “Being a co-sponsor of this conference tournament demonstrates that Stillman is poised to impact the city’s economy positively. I sincerely hope the Tuscaloosa community will support the tournament.”

Rush estimates the economic impact on the Tuscaloosa community to be in the neighborhood of $750,000.

As part of the championship experience, the GCAC will host its HBCU Admission Fair on Stillman’s campus, giving students from the area the opportunity to learn about HBCU culture, academics, and athletics. Students will also receive admission into the tournament the day(s) of the fair.

“Bringing on Stillman as a new member in 2024 and having them partner as a host for the 2024 tournament allows us to lay strong foundations in the communities we hold our championships,” said Baker Barnes. “Our HBCU Admission Fair brings every school to our championship and gives youth the opportunity to explore the possibilities of their future,” Baker Barnes continued. “Hosting a championship in Tuscaloosa also provides the community with an up-close view on our culture while impacting the local economy. Our schools and fans come to town and patronize stores, restaurants, hotels and other attractions. It’s more than athletics. It’s about connecting with and uplifting our communities.”

The GCAC Hope Credit Union Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships will also be broadcast on HBCU+, the livestream platform of the GCAC’s media rights partner Urban Edge Network. The broadcasts raked in over three-quarters of a million views during the 2023 championships, highlighted by back-to-back one-point title games on both the women’s and men’s sides.

“The GCAC continues to rise and create an atmosphere of excellence at all of our events,” stated Baker Barnes. “The success of our championships is due to having strong partners like Visit Tuscaloosa and our member schools. I want to thank Kelsey and the Visit Tuscaloosa team for bidding to be one of our partners and create another memorable experience for our members and fans.”

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By Chris Megginson

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Bailey Talley and Khalil Johnson combined for 62 points and 30 rebounds Thursday night as Stillman College took down the defending NAIA Men’s Basketball National Champions, No. 14 Loyola University, 103-95, in double overtime. The win came in front of a loud crowd on Greek Night in Birthright Alumni Hall. 

Johnson sniped seven 3-pointers and finished with 32 points to lead all players, while Talley came off the bench to score 30 points, snag 21 rebounds and block three shots. It is the first time in the current Stillman men’s basketball NAIA era to have two players score 30 points on the same night. 

The biggest three of the night for Johnson may have been the one with 49 seconds left in double overtime to give Stillman a 97-92 lead. 

He blocked a shot on defense to set up the possession. On the next defensive possession, Talley swatted his third block of the game, which helped lead to a dunk on the other end of the floor to cap the stat line by the junior from Covington, Louisiana. 

Stillman College closed the game on an 11-3 run in the final 2:21 of action. 

The Tigers exceeded their goal of 50 rebounds in a game, logging 53 boards to Loyola’s 34. Talley’s 21 boards were not only a lifetime high, but pass Leon Hampton (19 rebounds vs Rust College, Dec. 2018) for the most by a Stillman Tiger in the program’s modern NAIA era. 

The game was tested throughout, with 21 ties and 17 lead changes in 50 minutes of action. Loyola led at the half, 42-41, helped in part by 14 free throw attempts, compared to the Tigers’ three. Talley led the Tigers with 11 first-half points to counter Jalen Galloway’s 14 for Loyola. 

Coming out of halftime, Johnson hit a 3 to answer a basket by Galloway and tie the game, 44-44. Marcus Bates Jr then hit a layup to give Stillman a 46-44 lead. The Tigers did not give up their lead again, despite several ties down the stretch. With 7:39 to play in regulation, Stillman posted its largest lead of the night, 76-65, as Devin Merriweather jumped out of his left New Balance shoe while hitting a fadeaway for the Tigers’ 11-point lead. Loyola chipped away to work the game even, 84-84, on a made layup and free throw by Matthew Mondesir with 57 seconds left in regulation. 

In the first overtime, Johnson hit three free throws and a 3-pointer to give Stillman a 90-84 lead, but Loyola fought back with a pair of 3s by Michael Harden. Neither team could break the tie in the final 43 seconds with Harden missing a jumper at the buzzer to send the game to a second OT. 

The double 30-point performance is the first for Stillman College since at least its NCAA days. The closest in the current NAIA era was when Merriweather scored 29 to go along with Trey Petty’s 35 points during a 2021 win over Blue Mountain College. 

Galloway finished the game with 26 points to lead Loyola, while Harden scored 23. 

The Tigers also won the game at the free throw line, hitting 21-of-24 attempts. Loyola made only 14-of-23, including 4-of-9 in the final 30 minutes of action. 

With two games to play, Stillman (15-11, 11-7) returns to a tie for third position in the SSAC standings after losses by the University of Mobile and Dalton State College on Thursday. The Tigers will travel to No. 17 Faulkner University on Tuesday, Feb. 14 for a 7:30 p.m. tip, before closing out the regular season at home Saturday, Feb. 18 for Homecoming against Talladega College. 

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Stillman opened the season with a 26-2 win over Oakwood at John Hunt Park, then pieced together the 21-0 shutout. The combined 47-2 day is the Tigers’ best since shutting out Lane College by a combined 53-0 in a doubleheader sweep on March 9, 2013. That was also the day of the Tigers’ last two no-hitters, including a perfect game by former Tiger Joey Flaletta.

The no-hitter is the second NAIA no-hitter of the season, following a Feb. 4 no-hitter by Southwest Christian over Dillard University. It is the fifth in college baseball for the 2023 season.

GAME 1: STILLMAN 26, OAKWOOD 2

Nine different Stillman players had one hit apiece in the season-opener, while Stillman drew 16 walks to help produce its 26 runs in the first game. The Tigers’ 26 runs are the most in Stillman’s current NAIA era and most since scoring 36 and 29 runs in back-to-back games against Lane College in 2013.

Sieas Elliot hit the first home run of the season for the Tigers in the top of the seventh. Collins had a three-run triple in the game to join TJ Blackmon with three RBIs each to lead the Tigers.

Griff Minor (1-0) led a four-man rotation on the mound, allowing one run off two hits. He struck out six through three innings. Justin Cummings pitched two innings, Isidro Jimenez and Cody Clark each threw one inning.

GAME 2: STILLMAN 21, OAKWOOD 0

Leadoff hitter Tre’en Dorsett hit 3-for-4 with a walk and four RBI in his first appearance of the season. Blackmon collected two more RBI in the game to finish with five on the day. Cummings and Cole Odom each had two hits, while Odom drove in three runs and Cummings had two RBI.

In the combined no-hit pitching performance, Steven Oates (1-0) pitched the first three innings on the mound. He struck out eight with his only blemish being a hit batter. Hayes Brown struck out four, walked one and hit one. Collins closed the last two innings, striking out all six batters faced.

NEXT: Stillman (2-0) will host Tuskegee University on Saturday, Feb. 11 for a non-conference HBCU doubleheader in its home opener at Tiger Field.

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Former LA Tech assistant Talvin Hester has been named the new head coach of the men’s basketball program, the school announced on Tuesday.

Hester spent last season with Texas Tech, helping it make a run to the Sweet 16. But he spent three seasons prior in Ruston as an assistant under Eric Konkol, helping LA Tech register 20-wins in each of them. 

“We are fired up that Coach Hester is coming back to Ruston to lead our Dunkin’ Dogs!,” Vice President/Director of Athletics Dr. Eric A. Wood said in a statement. “He has been preparing for this opportunity over the last 20 years, learning the X’s and O’s from some of the best in the game.  He also builds authentic relationships that will continue the great culture in the program and push our guys to play at their best and win championships!”

One of Hester’s first jobs was as an assistant coach at Texas College in Tyler, Texas for the 2004-05 season. Hester then spent five seasons at Prairie View A&M (2005-10) where he was promoted to associate head coach. He helped the Panthers to winning records in both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons, the first time the program registered back-to-back winning seasons in decades.

Hester’s first addition to the staff has strong HBCU ties as well. Winston Hines will be joining Hester in Ruston.

Hines has spent the last five seasons at Grambling State as an assistant. He cut his teeth at Stillman College, serving as associate head coach for one season with the women’s program after a successful stint as an assistant with the men’s basketball program. 

“Winston Hines is unique for this job in that he has been in the state of Louisiana for a lot of years,” Hester said.  “He is from Florida so that helps keep the connection to that state that LA Tech has had for a while.  We want to continue to recruit great in our region and in places we have always been great like Florida.  He will be a great addition to our Bulldog Family.”

 “I am very excited to be joining the staff here at Louisiana Tech,” Hines said. I would like to thank coach Hester for giving me this opportunity to join his staff and help add to the prestigious history of the basketball program here at LA Tech.  I would like to thank coach Donte’ Jackson for having me on his staff at Grambling State and Stillman College for the last eight seasons as well as thanks to coach Michael Grant for giving me my start as a collegiate coach.”

LA Tech went 24-10 last season. 

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In two previous races this season at Daytona and Las Vegas the car failed to finish because of mechanical issues with the fuel pump. But Sunday was a clean race and solid driving by the veteran Biffle, who escaped the multitude of wrecks that plagued the field.

At one point Biffle had the car as high as fifth place during stage two of the race. The car remained on the lead lap all afternoon long.

A finish to be proud of

A top twenty finish is generally a good day for the non-elite, single car race teams like NY Racing. With a starting grid of 37 cars today it marks a general line of finishing in the top half of the competitors.

A little bit of luck never hurts either. Crashes throughout the day, particularly at the front of the field, took out several front runners. Drivers like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin saw their days ruined after on track incidents. Even the last turn on the final lap was marred by a multi-collision dustup.

But through it all Biffle kept his Chevy Camaro clean and intact through the checkered flag. The top twenty finish was the best finish for Greg Biffle since 2016.

Twelve of the 37 cars in Sunday’s field ended up with damage. Biffle started the race in 37th place and ultimately improved his position by 17 places. Showing that the car has signs of some real speed potential, Biffle clocked the fastest lap on Sunday on nine different occasions.

The race was won by William Byron.

In previous races the No. 44 car has had paint schemes with Grambling University and Florida A&M.

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Let’s Go Racing! Stillman College will make its NASCAR debut Sunday, March 20 in the Folds of Honor QuickTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga.

The No. 44 Stillman College themed Chevrolet Camaro will be driven by Greg Biffle of NY Racing Team. Qualifying for the race will occur Saturday, March 19. Sunday’s race is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on FOX, PRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

NY Racing Team, owned by African American entrepreneur John Cohen, is a marketing partner of Urban Edge Network, Inc. and HBCU League Pass Plus, a digital streaming platform for HBCU sports and student life events.

“Stillman College is excited that NASCAR is partnering with HBCUs, to support diversity efforts in their racing cup series,” said Dr. Cynthia Warrick, president of Stillman College. “Having a Stillman-branded car in the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 signals a major effort for NASCAR, and we are honored to be a part of this initiative. Plus, our car looks really cool.”

Stillman College is finalizing a multi-year content streaming partnership with Urban Edge Network, Inc.-HBCU League Pass Plus, which will provide live-streams of Stillman Athletics events, archived game footage and photo galleries, as well as video content from Stillman’s choir and band, and virtual campus tours.

Sunday will mark the third NASCAR Cup Series races this season that NY Racing Team has featured a HBCU as its sponsor. Cohen’s alma mater, Grambling State University, was the No. 44 car sponsor in the Daytona 500, and Florida A&M University ran at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. In Vegas, Biffle led a lap for the first time in six years prior to having fuel pump trouble for the second race.

NY Racing made its return to the NASCAR Cup Series this year after four years away, while Biffle has returned part-time to race the Cup Series since retiring from it in 2016. It is also his first year since 2002 to drive a Chevy in the Cup Series, also the No. 44. Biffle has raced Atlanta more than 20 times with eight Top 10 finishes at the track in his previous 15 years in the Cup Series.

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Whittle will replace Ken Alston, who was recently named associate athletic director at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. Whittle will continue in his role as Stillman’s head baseball coach.

Whittle has served as Stillman’s head baseball coach since the 2017-18 academic year. In addition to coaching, Whittle was involved in game management for Stillman home athletic events and assisted in athletic administration duties. He serves on the Southern States Athletic Conference’s Striving For Equality (SFE) Place Committee and will become Stillman’s Champions of Character liaison to the conference.

“I am grateful and humbled by the support and trust that has been shown in me by our President Dr. Cynthia Warrick and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tyshawn Gardner in choosing me to steward the Stillman College Department of Athletics,” Whittle said. “Ken Alston established a dynamic culture under his leadership, and all who worked with him are better leaders and professionals because of it. It is my goal to continue building upon the legacy of my immediate predecessor and others who have come before me. I believe in transparency and cooperation, and I look forward to working with our coaches and all stakeholders of Stillman College athletics to provide the best possible experience for our student-athletes.”

Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick said SSAC Commissioner Mike Hall’s recommendation, along with Whittle’s engagement in campus activities and conference diversity and inclusion programs, made Whittle’s hire “an easy decision.”

“All of the conference members know him and think highly of his fairness to all sports and his demonstrated leadership skills,” Warrick said. 

Alston’s departure comes after four years as athletic director. During his tenure, he oversaw Stillman’s transition to the Southern States Athletic Conference and helped grow the athletic department with the hiring of additional staff, reestablishment of men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs, and planning for future sports additions. He served as chair of the Southern States’ SFE Place Committee, as well as various committees on campus.

“I am very excited to see Coach Whittle in his new role, one that he has already grown into,” Alston said. “The Stillman College Athletic department is in more than capable hands. Though it saddens me to leave, I’m extremely happy and thrilled to see AD Whittle become the amazing administrator I know he will be.”

Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick said she’s excited for Alston’s opportunity at St. Xavier.

“[Alston] provided the leadership for transitioning to the Southern States Athletics Conference and was recognized by the Conference and his peers for his commitment to student-athletes,” Warrick said. “He will be missed.”

Prior to joining the Stillman College staff in 2017, Whittle spent 16 seasons as head coach at Elizabeth City State University. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Virginia State University. During his time in NCAA Division II, he served a decade on the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional Advisory Selection Committee, including chair in 2008. He served five years on the NCAA Division II National Baseball Committee and was president of the CIAA Baseball Coaches Association from 2001-2005. In addition to college coaching, Whittle served as envoy coach for Major League Baseball International from 2002-2010, helping scout South Africa’s first World Baseball Classic and Olympics participant team, also serving as a technical advisor to the Nigerian national team during the All-Africa games. In January 2004, Major League Baseball International presented Whittle with the Julio Puente Envoy Coach of the Year Award. He also spent time coaching in Germany in 1999.

A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Whittle attended Chowan University — then Chowan College — before transferring to Virginia State and earning his degree in 1994. He received a master’s in education at Cambridge College. He has three children: Jamila, 28; Bilal, 21; and Shari’ah, 18.

SSAC Commissioner Mike Hall is pleased to see Stillman’s athletic director transition remain within the college to continue the program’s growth.

“Terrence Whittle is the perfect person to move the athletics department forward,” Hall said. “He has seen Ken’s work and is very experienced as a coach. He has many of the same qualities [Alston]: humble, organized and wants to see Stillman flourish moving forward. It speaks well of Ken and Dr. Warrick to promote from within with very little disruption to the overall administrative work for the department.”

Stillman College will begin its 2021-2022 athletic calendar Sept. 3 with the beginning of the 2021 men’s and women’s cross country season. 

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