Delaware State first HBCU to add Division I women’s wrestling

Delaware State University announced that it will be the first historically Black college to offer Division I women’s wrestling, with the HBCU Wrestling Initiative contributing $1.25 million to help launch the program. The timing is perfect as women’s wrestling is expected to become an NCAA championship sport in 2025-26, and the sport is rapidly growing in high schools. Delaware State’s athletic director expressed excitement about the opportunities this will provide for women student-athletes. Morgan State also recently added men’s wrestling, with hopes that more HBCUs will follow suit. The move aligns with the growing success of American women’s wrestling, as seen in the recent Olympic Games.