Morgan State University in Baltimore is now the country’s only HBCU with a D-I wrestling program. Morgan State had discontinued its wrestling program 25 years ago. Kenny Monday, an NCAA champion at Oklahoma State University and the first Black wrestler in history to win an Olympic gold medal is the head coach.
Before dropping the sport in 1997, Morgan State was royalty among HBCU wrestling programs. According to Sports Illustrated, Morgan State produced approximately 75 All-Americans, won three straight titles in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1963-65), and won 13 titles in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
“Wrestling is officially back at Morgan State University! With the hiring of Coach Monday and the vast, winning experience he brings from competing at the highest echelons, we are certain to return to our championship glory and become a destination for student-athletes desiring top-level coaching and exceptional academic programs,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University. “It isn’t every day that you can bring in a leader the caliber of Coach Kenny Monday, someone who has successfully competed and coached at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels and has won throughout his career. So, when there was a mutual interest in having him become a part of the Morgan family, we made it happen without hesitation.”
The team has gotten got off to a rough start with a record of 1-9 through December.
