BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Department was recognized as the top men's athletic program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the 2025-26 academic year, earning the prestigious C.D. Henry Award, the league announced Monday from its conference headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. It marks the first time since joining the conference that B-CU takes home the award.
The award is presented annually to the SWAC institution demonstrating the strongest overall athletic performance across conference-sponsored men's sports throughout the academic year. Bethune-Cookman finished atop the league standings with 70.5 points after placing fourth in the final standings one year ago.
The Wildcats pieced together a banner year across multiple programs, highlighted by the department's first-ever SWAC men's cross country title, conference regular season championships in men's basketball and baseball as well as a historic campaign on the track.
"This award is a reflection of the tremendous commitment and consistency shown by our student-athletes, coaches, support staff, and our president throughout the entire year," said Vice President for Athletics
Reggie Theus. "To see multiple programs compete for championships and continue elevating the championship culture of Bethune-Cookman Athletics is something our fans, alumni, entire university should celebrate."
B-CU's outstanding year began in the fall, as the Wildcats claimed their first-ever SWAC Championship in men's cross country. It marked the third conference title for the athletic department since joining the SWAC in 2021.
As for football, the program continued its upward trajectory under Head Coach
Raymond Woodie Jr., finishing 6-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play while also earning its first victory in four years in the annual Florida Classic.
Men's basketball continued the success for B-CU, claiming an outright Regular Season Championship for the only the second time in program history – first since joining the SWAC - after finishing 17-15 overall and 14-4 in conference action, securing the program's best conference campaign since joining the league.
Track & field also delivered historic success during the year. The Wildcats finished fourth at the SWAC Indoor Championships before recording a third-place finish at the SWAC Outdoor Championships — both mark the highest finishes for B-CU since joining the conference.
Finally, the Wildcats baseball team capped off the historic year, turning in one of the finest seasons in program history, finishing 37-18 overall and 23-7 in SWAC play while capturing the SWAC Regular Season Championship. The 37 victories marked the top regular season win total in school history.
The C.D. Henry Award caps a landmark year for Bethune-Cookman men's athletics, underscoring the department's continued rise among the conference's elite programs.
About the C.D. Henry Award
The C.D. Henry Award is named for the former Grambling State chairman of the College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department from 1958-74, as well as serving as the executive officer and secretary-statistician for the SWAC in 1968-73. Henry became the first African American assistant commissioner of any conference office when he joined the Big Ten Conference in June of 1974.
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