Morehouse, Tuskegee Incident Highlights Need for Greater HBCU Unity and Accountability

In a concerning incident that has rippled across the HBCU sports community, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) has fined Morehouse College for failing to uphold required game security standards after a confrontation involving Tuskegee University men's basketball head coach Benjy Taylor.

The incident, which went viral on social media, occurred at the conclusion of Morehouse's home game against Tuskegee on January 31st. According to the SIAC's investigation, Morehouse did not comply with SIAC Policy 1.9, which governs host institutions' responsibilities for crowd control and ensuring the safe entry and exit of visiting teams and participants.

Video and eyewitness accounts showed a member of the Morehouse security staff restraining and handcuffing Coach Taylor in a tense postgame scene. While the exact reason for the confrontation has not been publicly detailed, Taylor indicated he was trying to enforce postgame security rules when the situation escalated.

"I was simply trying to get the football team out of the handshake line as they were yelling obscenities. It was a very dangerous situation.



For my players and my family to see me treated that way was devastating."

As a result of the incident, the SIAC has imposed an undisclosed fine on Morehouse College and is requiring corrective measures to ensure full compliance with conference security policies moving forward.

"The SIAC holds its member institutions to the highest standards of sportsmanship, professionalism, and institutional accountability," said SIAC Commissioner Dr. Anthony Holloman. "Our historic institutions are expected to provide competitive environments that prioritize the safety, dignity, and mutual respect of student-athletes, coaches, officials, and fans."

HBCUConnect.com Perspective:

This unfortunate incident at Morehouse College is a stark reminder of the critical importance of unity, accountability, and mutual respect within the HBCU sports community. As the premier online hub for HBCU alumni and supporters, HBCUConnect.com firmly believes that our historic institutions must lead by example in fostering positive, professional, and secure game-day environments.

The handcuffing of Coach Benjy Taylor, a respected figure in HBCU basketball, is a disturbing breach of protocol that cannot be tolerated. This event has rightfully sparked outrage and concern across our community. Moving forward, it is essential that all HBCU athletic programs and their host institutions uphold the highest standards of sportsmanship, security, and institutional responsibility.

Only through a collective commitment to these principles can we ensure that our student-athletes, coaches, and fans are able to participate in and enjoy HBCU athletic competitions with the dignity, safety, and mutual respect they deserve. HBCUConnect.com applauds the SIAC's swift action in this case and urges all HBCU athletic departments to learn from this experience to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Originally reported by HBCU Sports.