The Howard University softball team celebrated last season’s MEAC championship with a ring celebration at Cambria hotel on January 22nd. The event was well attended by the team and the Howard athletic administration—both Athletic Director Kery Davis and Associate Athletics Director Chevonne Mansfield attended the event, and members of the Men’s Basketball staff were also on hand. It was truly a community affair, and a welcomed familial atmosphere to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2022 softball team.
The atmosphere was jumping as DJ Morriscode kept the party upbeat and festive. The ring ceremony was filled with a lot of laughter and some tears, due in no small part to the touching words passed back and forth between Coach Tyson and the players. They all shared their struggles and low points of not just last season, but their tenures here at Howard University. Coach Tyson was hired in 2018, and she recalled the process of getting her first head coaching opportunity. She remarked at the fortuitous timing and opportunity Howard’s vacancy represented because she was the pitching coach at University of Maryland College Park before taking the position at The Mecca. Tyson talked about the importance of continuity of location for the sake of her daughter—who also got a ring due to her ubiquitous and necessary presence at all softball events. Perhaps the best player’s speech came from Kalitha Dennis, who shared Coach Tyson’s handwritten letter of motivation she wrote for all her players. There were many tears shed, and not just from those receiving rings.
The softball season begins February 10th in Clearwater, FL. The Bison will take on the Tennessee Volunteers. Tennessee finished in the top 25 last season. Coach Tyson wants to prepare her athletes for another NCAA tournament appearance by competing in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. Howard will also play other Power 5 schools Indiana and Louisville in the Classic.
The program’s success was part of Howard University winning the Mary McLeod Bethune award for best women’s sports programs in the conference last season. Let’s remember to support our award-winning programs with attendance and resources. Please consider donating to Bison Express so that we can continue to assist our athletic teams in their quest to properly represent the University and shower The Mecca in glory and accolades.