I own a marketing firm, and in my findings, I have discovered a significant disconnect between Division I and Division I-AA. I ask the question, why? I believe sports were to be played on the field and also on the courts. However, with significant conferences getting more prominent and small conferences getting weaker, where and when will the balance ever come into effect.  

I am a fan of the University of Miami, the University of Norte Dame, and the University of Southern California; however, I did not go there. I don’t believe that they should get my support. I went to an HBCU, and I can not find my school anywhere on the radar. Are companies and AD’s dumb to the fact that college athletics’ are part of corporate sponsorships, TV rights, merchandising, and little alumni support? Also, I forgot to mention college bowl payouts.

My firm has contacted several HBCU’s with the hope of letting us come in and actively help fight the battle of grabbing corporate dollars to help these universities become significant players in the Intercollegiate Athletic arena. Looking through the website of significant universities like Texas, USC, ND, and UM’s, you find corporate sponsorship ready and willing to give money to the universities. Why, I ask? Is it because they have a fan base that averages 80,000 people, and HBCU’s have an average of 8,000. But in the game of marketing, I believe your market to all and not just the masses. The last time I checked, minorities had buying power too.  

Now, this is not about the NFL; this is about the university getting free publicity and kick-backs for something that should be determined on the field of battle. As a player, I remember when we shared a workout facility with the basketball team, volleyball team, and any other person on campus and sometimes off the streets. And as I read a magazine like the Sports Business Journal showing universities are building bigger weight room with specialized training rooms and methods. At the same time, HBCU’s are only getting new uniforms. On any given Saturday, anyone can be beaten, well not in this day in age, HBCU’s are slaughter like cattle when entering D-I territory. Whether it’s basketball, football, or baseball, schools from small conferences are getting wiped out and left with crumbs from the dinner table to survive.

As I sit down and write this article and watch the Heisman race, I can not help but think, what if Lamar Jackson went to Florida A&M University; what if Derrick Henry went to Southern University? Would they be considered for the Heisman? Probably not because they went to a small university with little talent.  The greatest wide receiver that to ever played the game with to Mississippi Valley State University; thus, I believe when allowed to perform, true talent will prevail on any level.

Former companies like Sean John, Rocawear, Black Enterprise, and Phat Farm, and many other successful minorities own companies are not found anywhere within HBCU’s athletics. Sean “Diddy” Combs can be seen standing on the sideline of a University of Miami game; however, he went to Howard. Once again, I wonder why I can’t find Sean John’s corporate sponsorships in and around HBCU’s athletics. Damon Dash will produce the Ultimate Hustle but will not sponsor an HBCU athletic department. Now don’t get me wrong, they may give to the university’s development fund but giving to the athletic department helps student-athletic competes on the field. It helps by building training facilities like the speed room and weight-rooms to become stronger both mentally and physically.

Over the past several months, I have watched major D-I programs fall to just mediocre status: Nebraska, University of Illinois, and the University of Tennessee. And on Saturday, they can still blow out at HBCU school. Why do we have the same type of players? The game is played the same, so what is it? It must be how they trained, or should I say, how they have been prepared for the game. I believe HBCU’s need a “Waterboy,” and maybe they may have shot to win a game or two.

As you read this article, you may think I am only talking about football, not the case. Basketball is being dominated by black men whose height ranges from 5′ 10″ to 7′ 1″. But looking at the rosters of schools like North Carolina, Duke, and the University of Connecticut, these players are black. Why did they choose these schools? They have a great science department, a state-of-the-art library, or maybe the school is wireless and can do their homework anywhere. These schools probably have a TV contact to play 25 of their games on ESPN, and they know the school will have an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. Schools that come out of the SWAC and the MEAC automatically get low seeding if not the lowest seed. Or these schools have first to play to get in, and once they are in, they are playing number 1 seed. Is that fair no, however it is the case. I pray the day an HBCU school can upset a powerhouse school. That is a fairy-tale that is equal to the “Lord of the Rings.” I can’t help to think, what if Michael Jordan went to North Carolina A&T and Shaquille O’Neal with to Southern University would they have gone to the NBA draft and let alone get drafted as high as they did. Can you see where I am going?

For many years African-Americans have preached to be equal or to be treated fairly. Now they have been given “The Forty Acres” but not the “Mule.” Let’s experiment; let’s give the same type of money that D-1 schools get and give it one HBCU’s and see the results. I am talking about revenues from TV rights, Bowl games, merchandising, corporate sponsorships, and whatever else because I know it a lot of money. I have only scratched the surface of this significant conspiracy. One day, I will crack the code and let all schools, not only HBCU’s but all small universities across the land, know how they could build a powerhouse program featured on ESPN or at least get a highlight two.

So anyone reading this, please help me understand what is going on?