Overview:
Paul Quinn College (PQC) and Huston-Tilloson University (HTU) have officially joined the HBCU Athletic Conference, making it the largest conference in the HBCU community with 15 schools. The conference was created in 1981 and has previously served 13 schools. PQC President Dr. Michael J. Sorrell and HTU President Madame President Melva K. Wallace highlighted that this union is a "family celebration" that will add to the greatness of their respective institutions' legacy. The conference's motto is "Where Winners Thrive" and a new trophy has been introduced for potential winners.
“Where Winners Thrive”
Monday, March 31st, 2025, marked a historic day for Dallas HBCU Paul Quinn College (PQC). PQC President Dr. Michael J. Sorrell, Madame President Melva K. Wallace of Huston-Tilloston University (HTU), their accompanying respective athletic directors and the commissioner of the HBCU Athletic Conference announced their schools’ addition to the conference.
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) was created in 1981. With the addition of both PQC and HTU, the conference now hosts a fortunate 15 schools, including the Dillard Blue Devils, Fisk Bulldogs, and the 2024-2025 HBCU Conference Champion Stillman University Tigers.
HBCUAC Commissioner, Kiki Baker Barnes, joined the PQC and HTU teams to address the press about what this decision means as far as the competition, emphasizing how important it was to add two of the oldest HBCUs into the 44-year-old conference.
Dallas Weekly was able to ask both presidents what this joint journey means for the individual legacies of their respective institutions. Both Sorrell and Wallace highlighted that this long-awaited union is somewhat of a “family celebration,” adding that the unification will only add to the greatness of the legacy of PQC and HTU.
“You can come together and create something that is FUBU. For us, by us,” HTU President Wallace said.
“There is power in celebrating your uniqueness,” added PQC President Michael J. Sorrell.
As the press conference continued, it was clear that there was no shortage of unity. There was plenty of camaraderie between PQC Athletic Director Brian Evans and HTU Athletic Director Thomas C. Henderson. Both men expressed their happiness with the addition of their colleges to the HBCUAC. And threw jovial jabs about whose school would come out on top in upcoming matchups.
The importance of these two small colleges coming together at this time exceeded many expectations. The celebrated expansion highlighted that both schools historically emphasized student academics ahead of sports. Which in turn led both school presidents to boast that their institutions are homes to professionally developed students who will continue to win in the classroom and, now, on the court.
To cap off the event, Commissioner Barnes introduced the newly designed trophy that winning teams will receive in 2025. Barnes also reminded the audience that the conference is built on the motto of “Where Winners Thrive.” Proving that PQC and HTU made the right choice for their athletic departments.
