BALTIMORE — Morgan State University is set to grow its athletics offerings with the addition of men’s and women’s golf as its 17th and 18th NCAA Division I varsity sports. Both teams will compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), with competition beginning in the 2027-28 season.
“These programs broaden opportunities for our student-athletes, reinforce our commitment to gender equity, and strengthen our ability to compete at a high level while delivering meaningful academic and athletic experiences.” said Dena Freeman-Patton, vice president and director of Athletics.
Morgan previously had a men’s golf team in the 1960s, which won the 1967 CIAA Men’s Golf Championship, but this will be the university’s first women’s golf program.
Under Freeman-Patton, Morgan Athletics has added four new sports programs in the last five years, including the return of Division I wrestling in 2021 and the launch of Acrobatics & Tumbling in 2022.
With golf growing among younger and more diverse participants, this investment positions Morgan to compete in an evolving sport while advancing our commitment to access, excellence, and inclusion. These programs will strengthen alumni engagement, attract high-achieving students globally, and reinforce Morgan’s leadership among HBCU Division I institutions.” said Morgan State University President David K. Wilson.
Nationwide, at least 30 HBCUs sponsor golf programs. Historically, universities that add golf often see benefits such as enhanced branding, increased alumni engagement, recruitment of top athletes, and new donor relationships.
Golf’s popularity continues to surge, particularly among female, beginner, and Gen Z players, with participation in 9-hole rounds up 1,220%, according to the National Golf Foundation.
