Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
Members of Tuskegee’s men’s and women’s tennis team and women’s track and field recently capped off a season of exceptional success with good food, good music and great fellowship to celebrate a year of winning – especially in the classroom. The men’s tennis team earned the highest grade point average (GPA) of any TU Athletics team this year, with a cumulative 3.4 GPA. And one member of the women’s tennis team, Taylor Ford, a graduating senior from Philadelphia, has the highest GPA of any student graduating from the School of Nursing and Allied Health this year with a GPA of 3.5.
Last month, for the second straight year, women’s track and field student-athletes outpaced all others winning the 2026 SIAC Women's Track and Field Championship. Tuskegee University’s tennis programs had a historic run in 2026, capturing both the SIAC Men’s and Women’s Tennis Championships. For the men’s team, this was the first time reaching the No. 1 spot in 20 years – the team rallied by winning four singles matches to secure the championship.
Centered around a crab boil, the event brought together students and coaches in the players’ lounge at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium to enjoy boldly seasoned freshly cooked seafood, along with vegetables, chicken wings and hot dogs.
As students discussed upcoming summer internships, played pool and wondered aloud what their championship rings would look like, Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO, and First Lady Gwen Brown joined the festivities.
“In Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era, our talented student-athletes and exceptional coaching staff continue to raise the bar in collegiate athletics,” said Dr. Brown. “These teams in particular are shining examples of the rare balance student-athletes must achieve at Tuskegee University –dominating on the track and on the court while applying that same level of dedication and excellence in the classroom. That balance is what we call ‘the Standard’ – unwavering sportsmanship, academic excellence and outperforming our opponents – and I am so proud of them.”
Ford said she succeeded at managing her student-athlete role because she stayed centered and had a strong support system.
“I juggled my nursing coursework while being an athlete by remembering my ‘why’ for both,” she said. “I did my best to remember the sacrifice would be worth it and leaned on my friends and family because they constantly motivated me.”
Torain Alleyne, the captain of the men’s tennis team, said the event was a welcomed opportunity to celebrate shared comradery.
“After a championship season, it was great being able to relax and celebrate with fellow athletes from other successful programs on campus. It reminds you that we are all representing the same university and working toward greatness together,” said Alleyne, a graduating senior Supply Chain major from Bridgetown, Barbados who even stepped into an assistant coaching role after an injury sidelined him for a while.
Alleyne added that he and his teammates strive for “the Standard” in every way, every time. “It means excellence, accountability, and consistency in everything you do. It’s about representing yourself, your team, and Tuskegee University the right way both on and off the court.”
Reginald Ruffin, Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and Athletics Director, added that these student-athletes represent the bold new trajectory of Tuskegee University’s storied tradition in collegiate athletics.
“TU Athletics is leaning boldly into efforts to elevate our athletics program,” Ruffin said. “We know what they are capable of and we celebrated with these teams to let them know we are their biggest fans.”
© 2026 Tuskegee University
