Once again, history has been made at The Mecca, with Howard University’s women’s golf team the latest to etch its name in the record books with a groundbreaking championship victory. 

In a defining moment for Howard University Athletics, the Bison women’s golf team captured its first Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship, delivering a strong come-from-behind victory on Sunday that signals the continued rise of one of the Athletics Department’s fastest-growing programs. 

The win was not easy for the Bison. Facing a competitive field at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland, Howard surged on the final day of the three-day, 54-hole tournament beating the defending champion Fairleigh Dickinson College by just two strokes – 917 to 919. North Carolina Central University placed third with a 957 through three rounds of play. 

A Program on the Rise 

For a program that began just six years ago, the milestone is as remarkable as it is meaningful. 

Built with intention, vision, and belief by Golf Director Sam Puryear, Howard women’s golf has steadily climbed the ranks since the program’s inception. The team was runner-up in the last three NEC tournaments and, with yesterday’s win, now stands as conference champions, proving that the Bison belong on every stage they enter. 

At the center of this historic run was senior Marley Franklin, a television and film major from Los Angeles, California. Franklin, whose leadership and performance powered the team to victory, shot a 6-over 77 in the final round, but was still able to finish seven strokes ahead of the field for an overall tournament score of 7-over 220. That was enough to make Franklin the 2026 NEC individual winner, her first-ever collegiate tournament title. With the win, Franklin is the second consecutive Bison to win the NEC individual crown following teammate Paris Fieldings’ win in 2025.  

“I’m still in disbelief. I’ve had so many second-place finishes throughout my career at, so to get my first win and have it help my team win its first championship, it’s just something that you can’t make up,” said Franklin, who set the goal to win the NEC individual title when she started her senior year back in August.  

“Over the past four years, I’ve learned a lot from being on this team. I’ve learned what it takes to be a good teammate, and I’ve learned what it takes to win a championship,” Franklin said. “So, I adopted the mentality of what I knew it would take and I stepped it up a notch (this year).” 

Franklin’s performance was more than dominant; it was symbolic of a young student athlete coming into her own, Puryear said of Franklin, a four-year golfer who often placed second in tournaments won by Kendall Jackson (B.A. ‘25), the program’s most accomplished women’s golfer. 

“The saving grace of the entire event turned out to be Marley. Not just for her play on the course, but for her leadership. She had some conversations with the team this weekend that I’ve never heard from her in four years,” Puryear said. “She realized she was now one of the elders and that she was no longer in anyone else's shadow. You could see in her eyes that she was committed to getting the entire team to believe that they could win the event, and I think that made the difference.” 

The championship also reflects the steady leadership of Puryear and his coaching staff, whose commitment to building a championship-caliber program has been evident since the program’s inception. 

Through disciplined preparation and a clear vision, Puryear has guided the Bison from a burgeoning program to a conference champion in just a few short years. During a post-tournament dinner Sunday, the team did a FaceTime with Stephen Curry, the NBA star whose generous gift to the university made the establishment of both the women’s and men’s team possible. Both Franklin and Puryear described the call as special and appreciate the support Curry has given the program over the years. 

“His support means the world to us. Him taking the time to chat with us was special,” Franklin said. “Without him, there would be no championships. We’re all just grateful that he gave us the opportunity to represent Howard and get that ring for him.” 

A Win for The Mecca... and HBCUs 

This victory is bigger than golf, Puryear said. 

It is a testament to the momentum building across Howard Athletics — a department that continues to redefine what success looks like at an HBCU while competing and winning at the highest levels. 

Their work has not only produced results; it has established a culture of excellence, resilience, and belief, said Interim President Wayne A.I. Frederick.  

“This championship is more than a victory; it is a defining moment for our program,” Dr. Frederick said in a letter to the campus community. “It reflects the continued elevation of Howard Athletics and the unwavering commitment of our student athletes to excellence. To achieve a first in program history speaks volumes about the leadership, preparation, and resilience that define this team.” 

From championship performances to academic achievement and community impact, Howard student-athletes are setting a standard rooted in both excellence and purpose. Last week during the Bison Blue Carpet Awards, the women’s team, for the second straight year, was awarded the department’s top prize for team GPA with a combine 3.66. Puryear said the women’s team is an example of what’s possible at Howard. 

“What these young ladies have done is show a lot people that this can be done,” Puryear said, adding that every member of the golf team dating back to its inaugural season has graduated from Howard and either landed a full-time job or enrolled in graduate school to further their education. “You can excel in the classroom and on the golf course. And you can win championships while being a student at an HBCU.” 

With the NEC title secured, the Bison now turn their focus to the next stage — carrying their momentum forward and representing Howard on a national platform. 

If this historic victory is any indication, the future of Howard women’s golf is not just bright — it’s championship-driven. 

Because at Howard, history isn’t just celebrated. 

It’s made.