It took a come-from-behind victory on the final day of a three-day tournament, but Howard University’s men’s golf team is once again champions having captured its third consecutive Northeast Conference (NEC) title on Sunday — solidifying its place as a rising powerhouse in collegiate golf. 

Competing at Turf Valley Resort in Ellicott City, Maryland, Howard completed a remarkable turnaround after being five strokes back, continuing a dominant run that reflects both consistency and growth within the program. With the victory, the Bison earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals, set for May 18-20, where they will represent the NEC on the national stage. 

A Dynasty in the Making 

Under the leadership of Director of Golf Sam Puryear, Howard’s men’s golf program has rapidly evolved into one of the conference’s premier teams. What began as a bold vision in 2020 has now become a sustained standard of excellence. The championship is the program’s fourth in history, having won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference golf championship in 2022 before moving to the NEC along with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and North Carolina Central University. 

“This group continues to raise the bar,” Puryear said. “To win one championship takes focus, but to win three in a row speaks to the culture, discipline, and belief of these young men. They understand what it takes to compete at a high level, and they continue to deliver.” 

The Bison’s performance throughout the tournament reflected that championship mindset, with multiple players finishing among the top competitors. Junior Bear Huff led the way for Howard with a runner-up finish, while junior Mathis Perroni secured a top five placement, showcasing the depth and balance that has become a hallmark of the program. It’s the second consecutive year in which both student athletes have earned top 10 finishes at the NEC Championship. 

Howard’s continued success in golf is no accident. In just a few short years, the program has grown exponentially since its inception, becoming a model of what is possible when investment, leadership, and student-athlete commitment align. 

“This championship is a testament to the hard work and resilience of our student-athletes,” said Kery Davis, vice president and director of Athletics. “They continue to represent Howard with excellence - on the course, in the classroom, and in the community. What we are seeing is the result of a shared vision and a belief that Howard belongs at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.” 

That vision has been supported in part by avid golfer and NBA star Stephen Curry, whose early investment helped launch Howard’s golf programs and expand opportunities for student-athletes at an HBCU. 

For Howard, the men’s team’s third consecutive championship —  coming just one week after the women’s team won its first-ever NEC title  — is about more than trophies.It is about trajectory. 

From back-to-back titles to now a historic three-peat, the Bison have established themselves as a dominant force within the NEC while continuing to elevate the national profile of HBCU golf. 

“This is bigger than us,” added Puryear, who has now won 13 conference or national collegiate titles, including the 2008 Big 10 championship with Michigan State University, where he was the first African American coach of a Power Five school and the 2008 Big 10 Coach of the Year. “We’re showing what’s possible, not just for Howard, but for HBCU programs everywhere. These young men are competing with confidence, and they’re doing it the right way.”