FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville State University continues to receive national recognition following one of the most successful athletic years in school history as the Broncos collected 19 nominations for the 2026 HBCU Sports Awards, announced Tuesday by HBCU Sports.
The Broncos' 19 nominations are the second-most among all HBCU institutions, trailing only Howard University's 20. Fayetteville State's impressive showing comes on the heels of a dominant year that saw the department capture seven CIAA championships, produce four CIAA Players of the Year, four CIAA Coaches of the Year, and earn CIAA Athletic Director of the Year honors. The 3rd Annual HBCU Sports Awards will be streamed live on the HBCU Sports YouTube channel on Saturday, July 25, at 3 p.m. ET.
The 2025-26 season showcased the strength and depth of Fayetteville State athletics across multiple sports, with national recognition extending to student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and media personnel.
Leading the individual nominations are several standout Broncos who helped elevate their programs to championship success.
Larry Howell, nominated for Men's Basketball Player of the Year, put together one of the most dominant individual seasons in NCAA Division II basketball while leading Fayetteville State to a CIAA Southern Division title and another championship-caliber campaign. The senior guard/forward was named the CIAA Men's Player of the Year and earned All-CIAA First Team honors after leading the conference in scoring at 20.4 points per game while also averaging 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest. Howell ranked among the NCAA Division II national leaders in points, free throws made, free throw attempts, and free throw percentage, shooting an impressive 86.7 percent from the foul line. A three-time CIAA Player of the Week, Howell delivered several signature performances throughout the season, including scoring outings of 32 points against Lincoln (Pa.) and 31 points against Winston-Salem State. His ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor and consistently produce against top competition made him one of the premier players in HBCU basketball.
Howell's stellar campaign also earned him recognition as the Broncos' Male Athlete of the Year, BOXTOROW HBCU Division II Player of the Year, CIAA Player of the Year, and the HBCU All-Star game MVP, further solidifying his status as one of the nation's top HBCU student-athletes.
Giovanna Teixeira, a finalist for Women's Volleyball Player of the Year, served as the engine behind Fayetteville State's championship-winning offense. The junior setter earned CIAA Setter of the Year honors after recording 629 assists (7.6 assists per set) while also contributing 58 kills, 23 service aces, 177 digs, and 18 blocks. Teixeira registered double-digit assists in every match, including a season-high 49 assists against Mars Hill, and consistently orchestrated one of the conference's most balanced and efficient attacks. Her leadership, decision-making, and all-around play helped the Broncos post a 21-5 record and capture the 2025 CIAA Volleyball Championship. Teixeira elevated her performance on the conference's biggest stage, tallying 27 assists, two aces, and three blocks in the championship-match victory over Shaw to earn CIAA Championship Most Valuable Player honors. Her ability to control the tempo of matches and create scoring opportunities for her teammates made her one of the premier setters in NCAA Division II and a key catalyst behind Fayetteville State's return to the top of the CIAA.
Faith Kiplimo, nominated for both Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year and Women's Track & Field Runner of the Year, delivered one of the most decorated seasons by a Fayetteville State distance runner in recent memory. The sophomore from Eldoret, Kenya captured the CIAA Women's Cross Country Individual Championship in her first season as a Bronco, earning CIAA Female Cross Country Athlete of the Year honors after consistently posting top finishes throughout the fall. She then advanced to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship, where she placed third overall to qualify for the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships, becoming one of the program's premier national competitors.
Kiplimo's dominance continued on the track, where she established herself as one of the CIAA's elite distance runners. During the 2026 CIAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, she won conference titles in the 800 meters, mile, and 3,000 meters, while also helping Fayetteville State claim the distance medley relay championship. She later added a CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship in the 5,000 meters and earned runner-up finishes in both the 800 and 1,500 meters. Her success extended beyond the conference level, qualifying for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships in the mile and posting outstanding season-best marks throughout the year, including 2:11.61 in the 800 meters, 4:51.07 in the mile, and 17:53.1 in cross country. A championship performer in every season, Kiplimo played a pivotal role in elevating Fayetteville State's distance program to regional and national prominence.
Faith Kiplimo was also selected as the CIAA Female Scholar‑Athlete of the Year. She exemplifies the definition of a scholar‑athlete, combining elite academic achievement with championship‑level athletic performance. A nursing major, Kiplimo earned a perfect grade point average, demonstrating exceptional discipline, time management, and commitment in one of the University's most rigorous academic programs.
Fayetteville State's men's cross-country program was represented by two of the nation's top distance runners in Franklin Kipchirchir and Brian Kiprop, both nominees for Men's Cross Country Runner of the Year. Kiprop earned CIAA Male Cross Country Athlete of the Year honors after capturing the 2025 CIAA Men's Cross Country Individual Championship, leading the Broncos to the conference team title and helping Fayetteville State complete a historic sweep of the men's and women's championships. Throughout the season, he consistently finished among the top runners in the region, including a victory at the Cedric Walker HBCU Challenge and a first-place finish at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship, where he clocked 30:19.4 in the 10K to secure a berth to the national meet.
Franklin Kipchirchir complemented Kiprop's success with a remarkable season of his own, finishing runner-up at the CIAA Cross Country Championship and second at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship to earn qualification to the NCAA Division II National Championships. On the sport's biggest stage, Kipchirchir made program history by becoming Fayetteville State's first NCAA Division II Cross Country All-American, placing 35th nationally in the men's 10K with a time of 30:37.4. His All-American performance highlighted a season marked by consistency, endurance, and elite-level competition against some of the nation's top runners
Together, Kiprop and Kipchirchir spearheaded one of the most successful seasons in program history, leading the Broncos to a CIAA championship, helping the team earn a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Atlantic Regional, and establishing Fayetteville State as a national contender in NCAA Division II cross country.
Landon Cabingas, a nominee for Men's Golfer of the Year, played a pivotal role in leading Fayetteville State to its 28th CIAA Men's Golf Championship. The junior from New Bern, North Carolina, emerged as one of the conference's most consistent competitors, culminating in a runner-up finish at the CIAA Championship with a three-round score of 1-under-par 215, earning CIAA All-Tournament Team honors. Cabingas produced one of the tournament's best rounds with a 3-under-par 69 during the second round and remained in contention for medalist honors throughout the championship, helping the Broncos reclaim the conference crown. His performance was highlighted by two eagles and a series of clutch birdies during the final round as Fayetteville State pulled away down the stretch to secure the title.
Throughout the season, Cabingas consistently positioned himself among the top golfers in the region, recording multiple top-three finishes and serving as a cornerstone of a Broncos lineup that advanced to the NCAA Division II East/Atlantic Regional. Prior to arriving at Fayetteville State, Cabingas established himself as one of the nation's top collegiate golfers at Sandhills Community College, earning two national championships and two All-America selections, accomplishments that translated seamlessly into his success with the Broncos. His combination of championship experience, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure made him one of the premier golfers in HBCU competition during the 2025-26 season.
Fayetteville State's nationally ranked bowling program placed two student-athletes among the nation's elite with Hannah Cunningham and Paige Rockwell earning nominations for Bowler of the Year. The duo helped lead the Broncos to a historic season that included a perfect 48-0 regular-season record and a fourth consecutive CIAA Women's Bowling Championship, extending one of the most dominant runs in conference history.
Paige Rockwell capped an extraordinary career by earning CIAA Player of the Year honors after leading the conference with a 191.37 average during the regular season. A cornerstone of Fayetteville State's dynasty, Rockwell added another remarkable accomplishment to her résumé by being named CIAA Championship Most Valuable Player for the fourth time in her career, helping guide the Broncos through an undefeated run to the conference title. She also earned All-CIAA and CIAA All-Tournament Team recognition while continuing to set the standard for excellence within the program.
Hannah Cunningham quickly emerged as one of the conference's brightest rising stars, earning CIAA Rookie of the Year honors following an impressive debut season. Cunningham posted a 179.89 average to earn All-CIAA recognition and showcased her ability to perform under pressure during the CIAA Championship, where she led all All-Tournament selections with a 177.67 average. Her consistent scoring and competitive poise played a key role in Fayetteville State's undefeated season and championship success, establishing her as one of the premier young bowlers in HBCU athletics.
The Broncos also garnered significant recognition on the coaching front.
Devin Hoehn, a finalist for Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, continued the tradition of excellence within Fayetteville State basketball by guiding the Broncos to another highly successful season while maximizing a roster that consistently competed for championships.
Chynna Hunt earned a nomination for Women's Volleyball Coach of the Year after leading Fayetteville State to a CIAA championship and further establishing the Broncos as one of the conference's top volleyball programs. Under her leadership, the team combined competitive success with steady player development.
Inez Turner was recognized in both the Cross Country Coach of the Year and Track & Field Coach of the Year categories after overseeing championship performances and developing multiple conference champions. Her programs continued to set the standard for excellence within the CIAA, producing individual standouts and team success across all seasons.
Robert Henderson received a nomination for Bowling Coach of the Year after directing a program that continued to compete at a high level while developing nationally recognized talent. The Broncos' success on the lanes reflected the culture of consistency he has built within the program.
Zane Lewis, nominated for Golf Coach of the Year, guided Fayetteville State's golf program through another strong campaign highlighted by competitive finishes and continued growth. His leadership has helped elevate the Broncos into one of the CIAA's rising programs.
Beyond competition, Fayetteville State's excellence in athletic administration and communications was also acknowledged.
Anthony Bennett, a finalist for HBCU Athletic Director of the Year, oversaw one of the most successful years in Fayetteville State athletics history. Under his leadership, the Broncos captured seven CIAA championships, produced four CIAA Players of the Year, four CIAA Coaches of the Year, and multiple national award finalists while establishing Fayetteville State as one of the premier athletic departments in HBCU sports. His efforts earned him CIAA Athletic Director of the Year honors after guiding a department that achieved excellence across competition, academics, compliance, and student-athlete development.
During the 2025-26 academic year, Fayetteville State's programs claimed conference titles in men's basketball, men's golf, men's and women's cross country, women's volleyball, women's indoor track & field, and women's bowling, while numerous teams advanced to regional and national postseason competition. The Broncos' sustained success across multiple sports reflected Bennett's commitment to building a culture of championship performance and institutional excellence.
Beyond competitive success, Bennett's department also excelled in the classroom and administrative areas. Fayetteville State earned the Loretta Taylor Women's All-Sports Award for the fifth consecutive year, produced the CIAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, and saw Associate Athletics Director Deron Norwood recognized as CIAA Compliance Director of the Year. The breadth of those accomplishments demonstrated Bennett's ability to lead a department that values academic achievement, compliance excellence, student-athlete welfare, and championship success at the highest level.
Andrew Chapman earned a nomination for Best Broadcaster in recognition of his play-by-play coverage and storytelling efforts that have enhanced the visibility of Fayetteville State athletics. Through his broadcasts, feature content, and engagement with Broncos fans, Chapman has played a key role in expanding the department's media presence.
The Broncos were also recognized collectively with a nomination for Athletic Program of the Year, an honor that reflects the department's unparalleled success across multiple sports. With seven CIAA championships, conference titles in men's and women's programs, and sustained excellence from coaches, student-athletes, and administrators, Fayetteville State has solidified itself as one of the premier athletic programs in HBCU sports.
Fayetteville State's 19 nominations underscore a historic season that included conference championships, individual honors, coaching excellence, and departmental achievement. With seven CIAA titles, four conference Players of the Year awards, four conference Coaches of the Year honors, and CIAA Athletic Director of the Year recognition already secured, the Broncos now have an opportunity to add national accolades to an unforgettable year.
