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MEAC Announces Basketball Honors Awards
Norfolk State University captured the Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award, while Howard University won the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award.
The awards were presented during the MEAC All-Sports Award Dinner presented by Coca-Cola® hosted at the Embassy Suites by Hilton at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, held in conjunction with the conference’s annual spring meetings.
The all-sports awards are indicators of the overall strengths of the conference’s men’s and women’s athletic programs. Norfolk State and Howard were each presented with a $20,000 check.
“Congratulations to Norfolk State University, including President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, Director of Athletics Dr. Melody Webb, and the entire athletic department for winning the 2025 Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award,” MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills said.
“I also extend my congratulations to Howard University, including President Dr. Ben Vinson III, Director of Athletics Kery Davis, and the entire athletic department for winning the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award.”
“Receiving these awards is indicative of the overall strength of their athletics programs, and both institutions had a phenomenal 2024-25 academic year,” Stills continued.
In addition, Morgan State was honored academically, posting the MEAC’s highest academic progress rate (APR). For its efforts, the Bears’ athletic department received a check for $10,000.
Delaware State and South Carolina State were recognized as the 2025 co-recipients of the MEAC’s Highest Graduation Success Rate (GSR). The Hornets and Bulldogs 81-percent GSR is the highest among MEAC institutions spanning the 2014-17 cohorts, and they each received a check for $12,500 from the conference.
In the men’s all-sports award tally, the Spartans collected 46 points finishing 11.5 points ahead of second-place South Carolina State (35.5). NSU won championship titles in the cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field championship and finished as co-regular-season champions in men’s basketball.
South Carolina State won the conference title in football while also claiming the regular season champions title in tennis. North Carolina Central (32) was third in the men’s all-sports standings, and Howard (31) finished fourth.
Howard claimed their eighth Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award finishing first with 60.5 points. The Bison secured the volleyball and softball regular season titles while winning both the indoor and outdoor track & field championships. The Bison finished as runner up in cross country championship and the basketball regular season standings.
Norfolk State finished second in the women’s all-sports standings with 52 points. The Spartans won the cross country championship and claimed the basketball regular-season title for the fourth consecutive year.
This is Norfolk State’s third Talmadge Layman Hill award in the last four years and the Spartans’ 14th overall. Howard picked up its fourth consecutive Mary McLeod Bethune award and its eighth overall.
Points are awarded in a descending order beginning with nine (9) points for championships or first-place regular-season finishes. The second-place team receives seven (7) points. Tied teams split the point total.
Points were awarded for regular-season finishes in every sport but cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field, where points were awarded based on finishes at MEAC championships.
The Mary McLeod Bethune and Talmadge Layman Hill Awards
The Mary McLeod Bethune Award, named after the founder of Bethune-Cookman College, awards the top overall women’s athletic program during the course of one full academic year. The first Mary McLeod Bethune award was given in 1987 to Delaware State University. Former conference member Hampton holds the women’s record with 14 women’s awards.
The Men’s All-Sports Award is named after the late Talmadge Layman Hill, a former player and coach at Morgan State, and former Chairman of the MEAC Steering and Planning Committee, as well as the conference’s first President. Howard University was the recipient of the first Talmadge Layman Hill Award in 1972. Norfolk State has the men’s record with 14 awards.
MEAC Crowns Basketball Champions
Make it three straight season Norfolk State will be dancing after a 68-56 win over number two seed Howard.
Sparked by Kierra Wheeler who led the Spartans in scoring with 19 points while adding eight rebounds and led the team six blocks and four steals, the number one seed also had two more players score double digits with Diamond Johnson's 16 and Da'Brya Clark adding 10.
Norfolk State led 20-14 at the end of the first quarter.
The start of the second quarter saw Howard score 10 unanswered points to take a 23-20 lead, Norfolk State would 9-3 in the remining time on the clock, with the horn sounding ending the first half the Spartans reclaimed the lead 29-26.
The Spartans would outsscore th Bison's 16-6 in the critical third quarter. Norfolk State would lead heading into the final quarter 45-32
With 2:55 left on the game clock Howard cut the Norfolk State to seven, 58-51, however the Spartans refused to youeild the lead to claim the championship.
Makoye Diawara paced the Spartans with nine rebounds, Norfolk State's Niya Fields dished out a team high seven assist
Zenonia Thomas led the Bison with 19 points and eight rebounds, Destiny Howell's state sheet read 12 points, five assists.
Head coach Larry Vickers and his team will learn their first-round opponent during Sunday’s selection show at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. Vickers expressed his excitement about returning to the NCAA Tournament as well as the importance of limiting mistakes on the national stage. “We have been in this position before, and we have faced strong competition throughout the season,” Vickers said. “This time, we need to avoid costly mistakes that could make it difficult to win. Against Howard, we allowed them to start fast in all three matchups before making second-half adjustments. Our veterans, including Diamond (Johnson) and Kierra (Wheeler), played a crucial role in securing this championship. We expect to be champions.”
Ty Grace of Howard stated “First, I want to give credit to Norfolk State. Coach Vickers has done a phenomenal job with his teams over the years,” Grace said. “I have to admit, I’m tired of coming so close in this tournament.” “I also want to highlight Saniyah King,” Grace added. “She is one of the best point guards I’ve seen in this league during my nine years at Howard. She had a tough couple of games here, but she will bounce back.”
2025 Women’s Basketball All-Tournament team
Tournament Outstanding Player - Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State
Tournament Outstanding Coach - Larry Vickers, Norfolk State
Kierra Wheeler, Norfolk State
Diamond Johnson, Norfolk State
Destiny Howell, Howard
Zennia Thomas, Howard
Laila Lawrence, Coppin State
MEAC Basketball Players of the Week
Norfolk State guard Diamond Johnson was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Player and Defensive Player of the Week, while North Carolina Central’s Shakiria Foster earned Rookie of the Week honors.
Johnson (G, 5-5, Gr., Philadelphia, Pa.) led the Spartans to a 2-0 record, averaging 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 5.5 steals. In the victory over North Carolina Central, she recorded 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and six steals. Johnson followed with 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists and five steals in the win over Howard, securing the No. 1 seed and the regular season championship for Norfolk State.
Foster (G, 5-8, Fr., Barnesville, Ga.) averaged 7.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists during a 1-1 week for the Eagles. Against Norfolk State, she tallied 11 points, six rebounds and two assists. In the 68-63 win over South Carolina State, Foster finished with four points, six rebounds and three assists.
Other Top Performers
Laila Lawrence (CSU) averaged 18.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.0 steals in a 1-1 week for Coppin State.
Ericka Huggins (DSU) totaled 10 rebounds, three blocks and six steals for Delaware State.
Kiarra McElrath (DSU) posted 14.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in a 0-2 week for the Hornets.
Destiny Howell (HU) averaged 18.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.0 steals in a 1-1 week for the Bison.
Nile Miller (HU) tallied 12 points, 19 rebounds, four blocks and two steals for Howard.
Naya Ojukwu (MSU) averaged 14.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game in a 2-0 week for the Bears.
Morgan Callahan (NCCU) averaged 11.0 points, 14 .0 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks while recording a career-high 18 rebounds and 22 points in the win over South Carolina State.