Bowie State University’s Damon Wilson to Coach in Inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl

Esteemed Head Football Coach to Lead Post-Season All-Star Football Game with Five Bowie State Players

MEDIA CONTACT: David Thompson, dlthompson@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-4311

(BOWIE, Md.) – For those who thought this past Sunday’s Super Bowl was the last football game until August, fasten your seat belts because you’re in for a treat. This Saturday, Feb. 19. Bowie State University’s Coach Damon Wilson will be among four head coaches selected to participate in the Inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl, an all-star football game featuring standout athletes from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country. The game will broadcast live on the NFL Network at 4:00 p.m. EST from Tulane University’s Yulman Stadium in New Orleans.

Wilson and South Carolina State University’s head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pugh will lead Team Gaither, comprised of players from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Team Robinson will include players from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and will be led by Coach Willie Simmons of Florida A&M University and Coach Gabe Giardina of Albany State University. Team Robinson is named for Grambling State’s legendary Eddie Robinson, while Team Gaither is named for Jake Gaither, the famous former Florida A&M coach.

“I am humbled and honored to be selected as one of the head coaches for the Inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl,” said Coach Wilson. “HBCUs have some tremendous players that deserve a shot at the next level and this All-Star game will definitely allow many of them to showcase their talents to the public and the NFL scouts who will attend the game.”

The game will mark the end of a football season for Wilson that saw his Bowie State Bulldogs win the CIAA conference championship and advance to the quarterfinals in the team’s quest to become NCAA Division II champions. Coach Wilson was also named the American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year for NCAA Division II and is the first CIAA coach to be selected for the prestigious award.

In addition to Coach Wilson, five Bowie State players will be play in the All-Star game including linebacker Wesley Bowers; defensive back Tevin Singleton; running back Calil Wilkins; defensive back Myles Woolfolk; and defensive lineman Tavon Joseph.

“I’m very proud that some of Bowie State’s student athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their talent in Saturday’s game,” said Wilson. “Coaching and watching these young men compete in an HBCU All-Star Game will always be one of the highlights of my coaching career.”

Wilson led Bowie State to a 12 -2 record in 2021 and the school’s third-straight CIAA Northern Division title and championship. “As soon as the Inaugural HBCU Legacy Bowl is over, it’s back to planning and preparing for the 2022 Bowie State football season,” said Wilson.

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About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds, seeking a high-quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The university places special emphasis on the science, technology, cybersecurity, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit bowiestate.edu.