DOMINATING THE COURT
MENS BASKETBALL
The Beginning of a Dynasty (1909–1940s)
Basketball at A&T first took shape in 1909, not long after the school itself was founded. Those early teams played wherever they could find a court, sometimes even outdoors. Like a lot of HBCUs at the time, resources were thin and recognition was even thinner, especially as segregation kept Black colleges out of the mainstream sports conversation. But the Aggies quickly built a reputation for playing tough, fast, and smart.
THE CIAA ERA(1930s–1970s)
For decades, A&T was a powerhouse in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), which was—and still is—a major league for HBCUs. Coaches like Cal Irvin, who took over in the 1950s, helped lay the foundation for winning basketball in Greensboro. Irvin’s teams were known for their defense and discipline. Under his leadership, the Aggies won multiple CIAA titles and started to make noise nationally.
A&T players from this era—guys like Al Attles, who went on to play and coach in the NBA—showed that talent at HBCUs was on par with anyone in the country. The teams played in packed gyms, sometimes drawing standing-room-only crowds, and built a fierce rivalry with neighboring HBCUs like Winston-Salem State and North Carolina Central.
The MEAC DOMINANCE (1970s–2000s)
A&T left the CIAA in 1970 to help found the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), another league focused on HBCUs. If the CIAA years were about proving themselves, the MEAC era was about domination. From 1972 to 1995, the Aggies won an astonishing 15 MEAC tournament titles—more than any other school.
Perhaps the golden age came in the 1980s under coach Don Corbett. Corbett’s teams were relentless, winning seven consecutive MEAC tournament championships from 1982 to 1988. That run is still a record. The Aggies became a fixture in the NCAA Tournament, even if they usually had to face top seeds in the first round. The 1986 team, led by Eric Boyd, won a then-school-record 22 games.
The Modern Era: Overcoming adversity (2000s–Present)
The 21st century brought new challenges. Still, the Aggies remained a perennial contender, making regular appearances in the conference finals. In 2013, under coach Cy Alexander, NC A&T won the MEAC tournament and then grabbed their first-ever NCAA Tournament win, beating Liberty in the First Four.
In 2021, NC A&T took a significant step by joining the Big South Conference, signaling the university’s ambition to compete at a higher level. Despite facing schools with deeper pockets and larger athletic programs, the Aggies never backed down. but across the board. In 2022, they shifted to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
The NBA All-Star HBCU Classic
North Carolina A&T’s men’s basketball team is quietly piecing together the kind of resurgence that draws attention far beyond Greensboro. With a roster stacked with young talent and a coaching staff unafraid to trust them, the Aggies are rebuilding what feels like the early stages of a modern basketball dynasty.
Their hunger and tenacity paid off this year in a big way: not only did they earn the school’s first ever invitation to the NBA All-Star HBCU Classic, but they made history by winning it. That victory didn’t just put a trophy in the case—it sent a message to recruits, rivals, and alumni alike that A&T isn’t just back, but ready to set a new standard for HBCU basketball.
CIAA Conference Championships
MEAC Conference Championships
MEAC Tournament Championships
LEGACY AND IMPACT
NC A&T men’s basketball is about more than wins and losses. The program has produced NBA players, legendary coaches, and countless graduates who’ve gone on to make a difference far beyond the court. The team’s history mirrors the history of HBCUs in America—fighting for opportunity, demanding respect, and always moving forward.