Cayla Sweazie

Rhoden Fellows

Cayla Sweazie is a women's and college sports reporter. She is a former HBCU athlete (Go Bears) with a passion for giving student-athletes a platform to share their stories.

Cayla Sweazie
Laila Edwards celebrates after the Wisconsin Badgers won the NCAA women's ice hockey championship game on March 22, 2026, at Pegula Ice Arena 6 in State College, Pennsylvania.

For Laila Edwards, accolades are ‘cool,’ but being a role model is more important

The Wisconsin hockey standout, an Olympic gold medalist and three-time NCAA champion, wants to inspire other young Black women to play the sport

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Sports
Jasmine Aikey takes a photo after signing with Denver Summit FC in January at the IMA Financial Group's headquarters in Denver.

After a storied career playing for Stanford, Jasmine Aikey is ready for her NWSL debut

‘It’s an honor to be a part of something new,’ says the former Cardinal, who signed with the new expansion club Denver Summit FC in January

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Sports
Winston-Salem State University guard Makayla Waleed (center) is a 2026 all-CIAA selection.

Keep your eyes on these standout seniors during the 2026 CIAA tournament

From the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s leading scorers this season to all-conference team selections, here are nine players to follow

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HBCU
NiJaree Canady of Texas Tech pitches during Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship series on June 6, 2025, at USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

6 Black softball players to watch this season

From Texas Tech’s star pitcher NiJaree Canady to Oklahoma’s Ella Parker, these standouts are already drawing attention on the diamond

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Sports
Shanteona Keys attended Unrivaled games in Miami in January. “You’re seeing the top players in the world play right there in front of you," she said.

Rise in women’s pro sports leagues offers fans more ways to spread love of the game

In honor of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, here are supporters of Unrivaled, the Professional Women’s Hockey League, NWSL and others

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Sports
Auburn head women's basketball coach Larry Vickers watches his team during a game against Syracuse on Dec. 3, 2025, at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York.

Larry Vickers draws from HBCU experience as Auburn’s new women’s basketball coach

He built a conference contender during his time at Norfolk State. Now he is hoping to replicate that success in the SEC.

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HBCU
James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett celebrates

With HBCU roots, QB Alonza Barnett III leads James Madison’s historic playoff run

North Carolinian, Dukes visit Oregon for their first appearance in the College Football Playoff

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Sports
South Carolina State quarterback Billy Atkins (center) ranks second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in passing yards and passing touchdowns this season.

Celebration Bowl gives South Carolina State quarterback Billy Atkins another title shot

He transferred after helping James Madison win its first bowl game. Now the former second-string signal caller hopes to lead the Bulldogs to a win as QB1

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HBCU
Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell works the sidelines during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 19, 2006, in Kansas City, Mo.

Hosting Jackson State-Grambling State game reflects Raiders’ history of recognizing talent from Black colleges

Inaugural Las Vegas HBCU Classic will kick off at Allegiant Stadium

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HBCU
Nicky Nieves of Team USA reacts to a play during the women's sitting volleyball gold medal match during the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games on Sept. 7, 2024.

Born with one hand, Nicky Nieves found self-acceptance through playing volleyball

After falling in love with the game as a child, the Afro-Latina has made her mark as a member of the U.S. women’s sitting national team

 By
Sports
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