GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University athletic program claimed five HBCU Sports awards, presented over the weekend by HBCUSports.com.
Cameron Bufford represented the GSU student-athletes, being named "HBCU Sports Baseball Player of the Year." Justin Wagar (Soccer Coach of the Year), Donte' Jackson (Men's Basketball Coach of the Year) and Davin Pierre (Baseball Coach of the Year) all claimed coaching superlatives for the Tigers.
The Grambling State University Athletic Communications department, headed by Associate AD for Athletic Communications Curtis Ford, earned the "Best Social Media Presence" award.
Bufford, perhaps one of the most decorated baseball players in the Grambling State history, just wrapped up a career that saw him become to all-time home run leader in Grambling State history. During the 2024 season, he helped guide GSU to a SWAC Championship batting .345 with 10 home runs, nine doubles, one triple and 56 RBI.
GSU head women's soccer coach Justin Wagar clinched the first SWAC title of the year for the Grambling State athletic program, defeating Jackson State 2-1 in the SWAC Title game. Wagar's Tigers finished the season 15-5-4 overall and went unbeaten in conference play, going 8-0-1. He produced seven All-SWAC honorees, including SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, Aria Whitney. He was also named the SWAC Coach of the Year.
Coach Donte' Jackson earned the HBCU Sports "Men's Basketball Coach of the Year" after securing Grambling State's first SWAC Men's Basketball tournament title in school history. GSU went on to win its NCAA Tournament debut, defeating Montana State 88-81 in the NCAA First Four. Jackson led the Tigers 21-15 overall record with a 14-4 mark in SWAC play. Jackson is also second on Grambling State's all-time wins list, just behind legendary head coach Fredrick C. Hobdy. Jackson has won 120 games at GSU and is just the second coach to win more than 100 games as head coach of the Grambling State men's basketball program.
Grambling State head baseball coach Davin Pierre was named the "HBCU Sports Baseball Coach of the Year" after leading the G-Men to its first SWAC Championships since 2010. The Tigers went 26-28 overall with a 18-8 record in the SWAC. Pierre has been one of the best coaches in the SWAC since taking over the program in 2022, sporting a conference record of 60-25.
Curtis Ford has led the Grambling State University Athletic Communications Department since January of 2023, guiding GSU to the HBCU Sports "Best Social Media Presence" award this season. Since Ford has taken over the athletic communications department, GSU has bolstered its social media presence, growing its interaction and follower number on multiple accounts as well as allowing students to work within the program, providing photography and video support. In addition to managing media and promotion for all 15 sports at GSU, he was tasked with overseeing coverage of three NCAA tournament appearances as well as the WNIT run by the Grambling State women's basketball program during the 2023-24 season.
FOLLOW GRAMBLING STATE ATHLETICS
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /GramblingStateTigers1901 (Facebook), @gramblingathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.
