In a groundbreaking move for collegiate athletics and HBCUs, Delaware State University has appointed Kenya Sloan as the inaugural head coach of its newly established women’s wrestling program. This announcement makes Delaware State the first Division I HBCU to offer women’s wrestling, positioning the university at the forefront of a rapidly growing sport.
A Historic First for HBCUs and NCAA Wrestling
Delaware State’s decision to launch a women’s wrestling team for the 2025–26 season is not only a bold investment in athletic equity, but a landmark moment in HBCU sports history. It follows a $1.25 million commitment from the nonprofit HBCU Wrestling Initiative, aimed at expanding opportunities and representation for Black athletes in collegiate wrestling.
“This is bigger than a team—this is a movement,” said Jahi Jones, Executive Director of the HBCU Wrestling Initiative. “Kenya Sloan isn’t just building a program; she’s building a legacy that will empower generations of young women.”
Kenya Sloan: A Champion on and off the Mat
Sloan brings an impressive mix of competitive success, leadership, and mentorship to her new role.
Early Start & High School Dominance
A Knoxville, Tennessee native, Sloan began wrestling at just 7 years old after watching her younger brother compete. By high school, she had already made history. At Hardin Valley Academy, she compiled a perfect 87–0 record and became Tennessee’s first four-time girls’ state champion, earning the Outstanding Wrestler Award at the state tournament.
College Career & National Accolades
At Campbellsville University in Kentucky, Sloan was a four-year starter and team captain. She became:
- The 2022 NAIA National Champion at 155 pounds
- A Mid-South Conference Champion
- A two-time All-American in both NAIA and WCWA circuits
Internationally, Sloan captured gold at the 2019 Junior Pan American Championships and at the Berlin Open while representing Team USA at 76 kg.
Coaching and Mentorship: Building Future Leaders
Sloan has spent years developing wrestlers at both the grassroots and collegiate levels. She founded the Knoxville Girls’ Wrestling Club, Tennessee’s first all-girls club team, which won the state freestyle championship in its first year.
Before joining Delaware State, Sloan served as an assistant coach at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, where she helped lead the Pioneers to a 10–8 record and a runner-up finish in their regional championship. She has also worked with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center’s U17 Girls’ Camps in Colorado Springs and coached at Knoxville Catholic High School.
Beyond the Mat: Education and Empowerment
Sloan holds degrees in Exercise Science and Educational Ministries from Campbellsville University. Her professional experience includes work as a certified stretch therapist and physical therapy tech, along with community service as a youth ministry leader and mentor.
She is also the co-author of Can We Go to Lunch? Winning, Developing, & Mentoring the Heart of a Teenager, a book that speaks to her commitment to leadership and holistic development of young people.
Looking Ahead at Delaware State
With the NCAA officially recognizing women’s wrestling as a championship sport starting in the 2025–26 season, Sloan is set to recruit DSU’s first women’s roster this fall. She’ll be tasked with not only building a team from the ground up, but also shaping a culture of excellence, discipline, and sisterhood.
“This is a chance to show that wrestling is for everyone,” Sloan said. “Especially for young Black girls who’ve never seen themselves in this space. Now they can. And now they will.”
Conclusion
Kenya Sloan’s appointment isn’t just a hiring—it’s a historic step forward for HBCUs, women’s wrestling, and the athletes who will follow in her footsteps. As Delaware State University prepares to break new ground, Sloan stands ready to lead the charge with power, passion, and purpose.
