The Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), the nation’s oldest wrestling conference, has officially added Morgan State as its newest member. With this move, Morgan State becomes the 12th member of the EIWA and the only HBCU with a Division I wrestling program.
Gene Nighman, the EIWA Executive Director, welcomed Morgan State with open arms: “We are proud to have Morgan State as part of our conference. The EIWA has a long history of advancing wrestling, and having the first HBCU program join us is a significant milestone. We look forward to seeing them compete in our 121st season and at the 2025 EIWA Championship at Lehigh University.”
For Morgan State, this is a big step forward. Dena Freeman-Patton, the school’s Director of Athletics, expressed her excitement: “Joining the EIWA is a perfect fit for our wrestling program. Our student-athletes are ready to compete at a high level and continue their success in the classroom and on the mat.”
Morgan State’s wrestling program has a rich history. After a 24-year hiatus, the program was revived in 2021 with a $2.7 million gift, the largest in school history. This donation was led by Mike Novogratz and the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, which aims to bring wrestling back to HBCUs. Morgan State, which first dominated the sport in the 1950s and ’60s, is now the only HBCU in Division I wrestling.
Kenny Monday, hired as head coach in 2022, has brought a wealth of experience to the program. A three-time NCAA All-American and Olympic gold medalist, Monday sees this EIWA membership as a turning point. “This is a monumental milestone for our program,” Monday said. “We’re excited to elevate our competition and make an impact in collegiate wrestling.”
The Bears will debut their talents at the Blue vs. Orange intrasquad dual on October 18, with their first EIWA match at Lehigh on November 15.
With this historic move, Morgan State is set to make waves in the wrestling world, continuing to build on its proud legacy as an HBCU.