For more than a century, North Carolina A&T State University has built a championship tradition rooted in determination, excellence, and the unyielding support of the Aggie community. From the early days of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to dominance in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), and now as a rising force in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the Aggies’ legacy is one of triumph on the field, track, and court.
The football program, long the heartbeat of Aggie athletics, laid the foundation. In the 1950s and 1960s, A&T captured multiple CIAA titles, establishing itself as a regional powerhouse. The Aggies carried this tradition forward after joining the MEAC in 1970, collecting 11 MEAC football championships. The modern golden era came under legendary coaches like Bill Hayes, Rod Broadway, and Sam Washington, when A&T not only won league titles but also claimed the Black College National Championship several times. Perhaps the crowning jewel was the Aggies’ undefeated 2017 season, capped with a victory in the Celebration Bowl, which marked their place atop HBCU football. In total, A&T has won the Celebration Bowl five times (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021), more than any other program.
Track and field has been another banner sport for the university, producing Olympians and national champions. The Aggies’ men’s and women’s programs have dominated the MEAC for stretches, racking up dozens of indoor and outdoor championships. Under coaches like Duane Ross, the teams surged to national prominence in the 2010s and early 2020s. In 2021, the men’s program reached its pinnacle, finishing as NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Runners-Up, a historic achievement for an HBCU. Individual athletes such as Randolph Ross Jr., Trevor Stewart, and Kayla White went on to compete on the global stage, winning NCAA titles and representing Team USA at the Olympics.
Basketball, too, has brought its share of glory. The men’s program was once a dynasty in the MEAC, winning 16 conference championships, including a stunning run of seven consecutive titles from 1982 to 1988 under coach Don Corbett. These championships carried the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament, where they proudly represented both A&T and HBCUs on the national stage. The women’s basketball program has been equally formidable, winning multiple MEAC tournament and regular-season titles, most recently earning NCAA Tournament appearances in the 2010s and 2020s, further cementing Aggie pride in hoops.
Beyond the big three, A&T has excelled in other sports as well. Baseball claimed MEAC titles, bowling became nationally recognized with NCAA tournament appearances, and volleyball and softball each contributed championships that highlighted the university’s athletic diversity.
Altogether, North Carolina A&T boasts over 90 conference championships across its athletic programs, making it one of the most decorated HBCUs in history. These titles are not just numbers—they are a testament to resilience, community, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Each championship banner raised in Corbett, Truist Stadium, or the Ellis F. Corbett Sports Complex tells a story of Aggies refusing to quit, fueled by the rallying cry that defines the university: “Aggie Pride!”
