General

The Big West Celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements, contributions, and lasting impact of Black Americans whose leadership and resilience have helped shape our nation. It offers an opportunity to reflect on history, celebrate progress, and recognize the individuals who continue to influence culture, education, and athletics today.

At The Big West, celebrating Black History Month reflects our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and opportunity. Black student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and alumni have been instrumental to the success of our conference, and this month allows us to uplift their stories, acknowledge their impact, and foster meaningful connection and learning across our community. By uplifting Black voices and stories, we reaffirm our commitment to equity, celebrate the impact of Black leaders in collegiate athletics, and create space for learning, reflection and meaningful dialogue across The Big West.

Daryana Hall, Long Beach State women's track & field

Senior biology major and sprinter Daryana Hall is the founder of the Black Student Athlete Alliance (BSAA), supporting Black student-athletes Long Beach State. Inspired while attending the Black Student-Athlete Summit, Daryana wanted to create something special for her peers at LBSU: a space where Black student-athletes could be seen, celebrated and heard. That vision turned into a program directed under the Athletics department, where this organization is dedicated to advocacy, visibility and community building.

Learn more about the LBSU BSAA >>>

Daniel Harper, CSUN men's track & field

CSUN sophomore sprinter Daniel Harper talks about striving to epitomize Black excellence while achieving goals as a student, an athlete, and a young leader for the Madadors as part of CSUN's Black Student-Athlete Association. The native of Oakland, Calif., also attended the Black Student-Athlete Summit, in Chicago in 2025, where the CSUN BSAA won an award as 2025 Student Organization of the Year. 

Danielle Greenwood, UC San Diego women's swimming

UC San Diego sophomore swimmer Danielle Greenwood uses her voice and experience as a time celebrate not only her own identity but those around her as well. 

As the first Black athlete from Richardson, Texas to qualify for the UIL 6A state championship in 2022, Greenwood's voice is one of experience.

“I think there’s many black athletes who have gone through so much just adversity and struggles and being put down. I think showing successful student athletes to young people shows them that they can do the same.”