Coach Robert Jones, the boys’s basketball coach at Norfolk State College, mentioned methods to help Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities (HBCUs). He additionally sheds gentle on his views on why HBCU sports activities aren’t on main networks and get handed up in recruiting.
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Norfolk State College males’s basketball coach Robert Jones linked with SOHH to talk about HBCU athletics. Coach Jones has been the top coach for ten seasons with the Spartans at a 20-9 total document and second place within the Mid-Jap convention.
In a chat with SOHH, Coach Jones detailed his views on the shortage of HBCU sports activities on nationwide tv and recruitment processes on the collegiate degree.
Q&A With Coach Jones
SOHH: Why aren’t HBCUs highlighted on nationwide TV?
Coach Robert Jones: “Quite a lot of TV/media shops don’t give HBCU sports activities excellent media packages. ESPN sponsors 4 to 5 video games per 12 months per Southwestern Athletic Convention (SWAC), and Mid-Jap Athletic Convention (MEAC) leagues every, however it’s not on each recreation. That is beginning to change a little bit as we’re beginning to see extra video games on nationwide TV. I believe earlier than the media didn’t assume there was a fan base or a must have HBCUs on tv. However I consider that’s beginning to change a little bit.”
SOHH: Why do HBCUs get neglected within the recruitment course of?
RJ: “This type of stems again to query one. As a result of high-level recruits don’t see HBCUs on tv typically they assume they’ll’t go to an HBCU and make it out to the large leagues. When this isn’t the case. There are HBCU soccer/basketball/baseball gamers which have all made it to the professional ranks. Additionally, some HBCUs want facility upgrades however the key phrase is SOME. The issue is everybody sees that and thinks that every one of us are the identical, and we’re undoubtedly not.”
SOHH: How can individuals spend money on HBCUs extra persistently?
RJ: “Alumni can begin giving again extra and see the necessity/objective of HBCU Sports activities. Additionally, we want extra sponsors to place {dollars} and actual greenback quantities behind HBCUs.”
SOHH: Are HBCUs simply stepping stones for coaches to get to the large packages?
RJ: “I believe any lower-level collegiate sports activities job could be a potential “stepping stone” not simply HBCUs. Till there may be extra funding in HBCUs to make thousands and thousands of {dollars} like among the excessive main colleges there may be at all times going to be a monetary risk of an HBCU coach shifting up. And it’s actually only a monetary up. However, most individuals have to absorb consideration what’s greatest for his or her households. If HBCUs get extra funding to pay extra I believe that this notion will go away.”
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Written by Kendall Parks
Kendall Parks is from Cincinnati Ohio. He is into sports activities and an avid listener of throwback hip hop on a regular basis. He is actually large on Black Politics.