Several HBCUAC Fall Student-Athletes earn NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athletes

The student-athletes held a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher while competing in their respective sport.

November 27, 2024

NEW ORLEANS - November 25, 2024 - The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference had several student-athletes achieve academically while competing in their sport this fall - being named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Daktronics Scholar-Athletes.To qualify, the student had to maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average, be listed on a signed eligibility certificate and attend its institution for a full year. The HBCUAC students were some of the thousands nationwide to accomplish the honor. Below is a list of athletes sorted by their institution.

Dillard
Christopher Watson Men's Cross Country
Kevell Byrd Women's Cross Country
Kennedy Timmons Women's Cross Country
Brooklyn Acosta Women's Cross Country
Vanae Sapp Volleyball

Fisk
Natasha Veness Volleyball

Oakwood
Miriangie Rondon Volleyball
Mona Okello Volleyball
Anna Jones Volleyball
Cameryn S. Bucknor Volleyball
Dorian E. Birch Volleyball
Juan Arbelaez Men's Soccer
Xe'azjah Paynter Women's Soccer
Amarlin Sosa Puello Women's Soccer
Nicevarlyn Philippe Women's Soccer
Kristina Phillips Women's Soccer

Wiley
Jean-Marie Farinha Women's Cross Country
Fatima Ortega Volleyball
Rejinah Hickman Volleyball
Takumi Ota Men's Soccer
Santos Perez Men's Soccer
Peter Tu Men's Soccer

-HBCUAC-

About HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Oakwood University (AL), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.