In a statement to the Delaware State University community today, President Tony Allen announced that the annual University Scholarship Ball originally scheduled for December 13 will be rescheduled to January 24. The Ball, which last year raised $4 million and is now in its 15th year, is one of the institution’s signature moments to highlight its high-achieving student population and the companies and individuals that support their success.
Allen was candid in his decision to reschedule the affair:
"We have had a banner year by almost every measure. We have over 6,700 students, our highest enrollment in school history; 75 percent of our first-year Delaware students are Inspire scholars, which means they are attending the institution tuition free; of the 101 HBCUs in the country, we continue to rank in the Top 5 public HBCUs and Top 10 overall; we have opened our first two new academic buildings in more than a decade, a collective $40MM investment; we have nearly 600 students in our Early College School on campus and recently became the exclusive educational partner of New York’s City first HBCU Early College Preparatory High School in Jamaica, Queens; we were featured on Good Morning America and ESPN’s First Take; and we just hosted 47,622 fans at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
That is a culmination of hard work and unmerited favor.
And I am of the firm belief that more is to come. On December 13, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will host the 10th annual Celebration Bowl, effectively the HBCU National Championship. To be clear, we have not won the MEAC since 2007 and have never participated in the Celebration Bowl. Despite having complete confidence in our first-year Head Coach, DeSean Jackson, and his tremendous staff, I did not think we would reach our ultimate goals this year. Our young men and Coach Jackson have other plans, and I want them to know the University is behind them every step of the way.
In addition to the many highlights we will celebrate on January 24, if we continue to have a successful season on the gridiron, we plan to add a championship-caliber football team to the list. Like our reigning MEAC Champion Women’s Volleyball Team and our other 19 sports, the football team is on a mission to restore a proud athletic legacy at this beloved alma mater. And so are we. Win or Learn, I hope to see you in Atlanta on the 13th.
As I have said before, raising our profile is not about elevating our brand. It’s about elevating our students so they can take their rightful place of usefulness and honor in the world – in science, in business and law, in the arts, in the humanities, in every field of human endeavor – and become even better global citizens. High-quality, unrelenting academic excellence is the "price of admission" for any substantive educational hub, and athletics can be a front door to it all.
You can expect that our Scholarship Ball will reflect the diverse nature of our student community, including single parents who, because of the "Words Are A Powerful Force" scholarship, can realize their dreams and set an incredible example for their children. And our Agilent Scholars, whose White Coat oath not only compels their commitment to excellence in health and behavioral sciences but also demands their success reach back and inspire others."
Junior Basketball scholar athlete Dean Shepherd puts it this way: “You can put a price on education, but not the care, concern and commitment that comes from being on this campus. Whether you are on the court or in the classroom, from a tough neighborhood, or another generation of a proud HBCU legacy, you must give as you have been given to, lift as you climb.”
The Ball will feature a host of student entertainment and a performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Avery Sunshine, a Spelman graduate. Alumna and award-winning music journalist and content creator Jamila Mustafa will be the Mistress of Ceremonies. Ms. Mustafa graduated from the University in 2015 and is currently a television personality with Black Entertainment Television and MTV. Coaches from all of the university’s Athletics teams will be in attendance, including Coach Jackson.
Commenting on Allen’s decision, Jackson said, “I’m not surprised. Before I came to Delaware State, I heard a lot about what HBCUs are limited in doing. Here, we build a vision, roll up our sleeves, put in the work and leave the rest to God. Whether you play a sport at the University or not, a championship is not just a goal. It’s the mindset. We look forward to being one of many examples at Delaware State University.”
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Friday, October 31st 2025 at 5:38PM
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