The Howard University athletics department has issued a new protocol requiring student-athletes to stand during the national anthem or remain in their locker rooms, according to a report from the HBCU’s student news outlet, The Hilltop.
Brian Davis, associate head coach of Howard’s women’s basketball team, told The Hilltop that his team has knelt during the national anthem at every game since 2020 in protest of social injustice. But after the team knelt before a December 29, 2025, game against the United States Military Academy, Howard administrators decided to prohibit the practice at future athletic events.
“There have been thoughtful internal conversations between athletics leadership, coaches and student-athletes regarding pregame protocols,” said vice president of athletics Kery Davis in a written statement. “The current approach is about supporting our students’ freedom of expression while upholding mutual respect for all communities.”
However, Davis says the team did not intend to be disrespectful, highlighting that there are players who have family members who served in the military.
“I think that their personnel kind of took it the wrong way and tried to take it somewhere where it wasn’t,” said Davis. “We didn’t want to disrespect anybody. That wasn’t our intent. But if we did, we definitely apologized to them, and let them know where we stood with it.”
Going forward, Howard’s women’s basketball team has decided to remain in their locker room during the national anthem, both at home and away games.
“We are going to continue to fight for injustice, we want to make sure that we stand on what we believe in,” said Davis. “That’s one of the reasons why you come to Howard.”
