Over the weekend, Howard students became the first from a historically black college and university (HBCU) to compete in figure skating.
Team founders Maya James, Cheyenne Walker and their teammates have clashed over the lack of practice space as the only ice rink in Washington, D.C. is currently undergoing renovations. You'll receive a private lesson in a public outdoor facility and travel to the arena in College Park, Maryland.
“Until this semester, we haven't really had the opportunity to get consistent ice time, and that's just the case [been] a month,” Walker told NPR.
The team, a club not officially affiliated with the university's athletic department, debuted in intercollegiate competition at the University of Delaware, the alma mater of one of its coaches, Joel Savary, who also runs a nonprofit organization called Diversify Ice. According to Essence and the team's Instagram account, James finished fifth out of 11 skaters in the Juvenile Women Short Program. The team also conducts clinics to teach other students how to skate.
“By increasing diversity, we would include more artistic styles and even music, such as performances by Beyoncé, rather than traditional pieces like Swan Lake, making the sport more accessible and relevant to a wider audience. This cultural infusion not only enhances the viewing experience, but also attracts new participants and ultimately contributes to the popularity and longevity of the sport,” Savary tells Front Office Sports via email. “By providing sponsorship, mentorship, networking and opportunities for minorities in ice skating, Diversify Ice is actively working to break down systemic barriers and create a more inclusive and equitable sport.”
Howard's figure skaters are one of several examples at HBCUs where the introduction or reintroduction of Olympic sports is gaining momentum.
Last year, Fisk University became the first HBCU gymnastics program to compete in an NCAA event, a journey that earned plans for a documentary.
Tennessee State University will boast its first HBCU hockey team next winter and plans to start a men's team at the club level but eventually compete at the Division I level with both men's and women's programs.
Howard is also the only HBCU with a swimming and diving team, after dropping dozens of programs over the years. Last February, the Bison became the first all-black swimming team to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Many schools are reportedly planning to introduce or reintroduce their programs.
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