Morgan to Add Men’s and Women’s Golf, Expanding Athletic Program Offerings

With the Latest Athletics Additions, the University will Have Introduced Four New Sports Programs in Five Years; Inaugural Season Slated for 2027-28

BALTIMORE — Morgan State University’s Athletics Department seeks to expand its athletic program offerings and create more opportunities for student-athletes with the addition of men’s and women’s golf as its 17th and 18th NCAA varsity sports. Both teams will compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), with competition slated to begin in 2027-28. Morgan becomes the third Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in Maryland to offer both the men’s and women’s programs at the Division I level.

“We are proud to add men’s and women’s golf as the newest programs within our athletics department,” said Dena Freeman-Patton, vice president and director of Athletics. “These programs broaden opportunities for our student-athletes, reinforce our commitment to gender equity, and strengthen our ability to compete at a high level while delivering meaningful academic and athletic experiences.”

At least 30 HBCUs sponsor golf programs nationwide. While this is the first time Morgan will sponsor women's golf, the Bears previously had a men’s golf team in the mid-1960s that won the 1967 CIAA Men’s Golf Championship.

Under the leadership of Freeman-Patton, Morgan Athletics has continued to elevate its sports offerings. The addition of men’s and women’s golf has given Morgan State four new sports programs in the last five years. In October 2021, Morgan announced the return of Division I collegiate wrestling following a 24-year hiatus, and in April of 2022, Acrobatics & Tumbling was announced, further expanding the variety and diversity of programs.

“The addition of men’s and women’s golf is a strategic step forward for Morgan State University as we expand opportunities for student-athletes and elevate the national profile of our athletics program,” said Morgan State University President David K. Wilson. “With golf growing among younger and more diverse participants, this investment positions Morgan to compete in an evolving sport while advancing our commitment to access, excellence, and inclusion. These programs will strengthen alumni engagement, attract high-achieving students globally, and reinforce Morgan’s leadership among HBCU Division I institutions.”

Historically, universities that have added golf programs have realized a range of benefits, including enhanced institutional branding, increased alumni engagement, expanded recruitment of high-caliber domestic and international student-athletes, and the cultivation of new donor relationships.

The sport of golf is steadily growing in the community and is one of the fastest-growing sports in terms of demographic diversification. According to the National Golf Foundation the sport has seen a massive popularity surge going into 2026, driven by a diverse, younger demographic and a “cultural takeover” that prioritizes fun, social, and accessible experiences. With over 48 million Americans playing on or off-course, the sport has reached record engagement levels, with 9-hole rounds up 1,220% and beginner, female, and Gen Z participation soaring.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master’s degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu. 

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Media Contacts:

Larry Jones, or Dell Jackson, for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022

or

Denise Thompson, for Athletics Communications
443-885-2344