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Five Southern University students just proved that HBCU media programs can compete with anyone. The group calling themselves “The Dream Team” captured the prestigious 2025 HBCU Sports Emmy for their documentary short “The Hidden Sport,” putting their institution on the national stage in a major way.

Meet the dream team

Loren Sullivan, Verbon Muhammad, Sydney Cuillier, Ashley Lovelace, and Eric White were honored during a ceremony on May 20 in New York City, where their achievement stood out among submissions from HBCU programs nationwide.

Sullivan, a senior mass communication major from Chino Hills, Calif., captured what this means: “This isn’t just a win — it’s a call to action to invest in the arts.” His reflection emphasizes how student success can advocate for broader institutional support and recognition.

Collaboration creates magic

Each Dream Team member has strong connections to Southern University’s media programs, showcasing the collaborative environment that made their success possible. Sullivan participates in the Human Jukebox Media Team, while Cuillier, Lovelace, and White are recent graduates who previously worked with the Office of Student Media.

Muhammad also brings experience from the Human Jukebox Media Team, showing how the university’s various media programs create interconnected networks of student talent. This collaborative spirit reflects the community-centered approach that characterizes many HBCU educational experiences.

Their diverse backgrounds and shared institutional loyalty helped them create compelling content that resonated with judges.

Celebrating the hidden sport

“The Hidden Sport” delves into the legacy of Southern University’s renowned “Human Jukebox” Marching Band and its profound influence on sports and athletics at HBCUs. The documentary celebrates not only the band’s musical achievements but emphasizes the cultural significance of HBCU marching bands in American sports entertainment.

HBCU marching bands serve as cultural ambassadors for their institutions, creating visibility and pride that extends far beyond campus boundaries. They’ve historically provided soundtrack and spectacle for athletic events while maintaining distinctive musical and performance traditions.

By documenting this legacy, the Dream Team created content that speaks to both institutional pride and broader cultural appreciation for HBCU contributions to American entertainment and sports culture.

National recognition with resources

The documentary was submitted as part of a $40,000 national HBCU sports broadcasting grant competition, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This competition specifically promotes and supports HBCU visibility in media representation.

Their Emmy victory demonstrates how targeted competitions can elevate student work from academic exercises to professionally recognized achievements, creating pathways for broader career development and institutional recognition.

Paying it forward

Beyond celebrating their Emmy recognition, the filmmakers have ambitious plans for leveraging their success into lasting institutional impact. They intend to create scholarships for Southern University students and allocate portions of grant funds to support both the Human Jukebox and the Southern University Department of Mass Communication.

This commitment to reinvestment illustrates the values-driven approach that characterizes many HBCU graduates, who often prioritize giving back to their alma maters. The Dream Team’s philanthropic intentions show how individual achievement can create multiplicative benefits for entire academic communities.

Their scholarship plans will provide future students with financial support while honoring the collaborative spirit that enabled their own success.

Reaching wider audiences

“The Hidden Sport” is scheduled for release on YouTube later this summer, providing opportunities for wider audiences to appreciate the rich history and cultural impact of Southern University’s marching band. This digital distribution strategy maximizes the documentary’s reach while maintaining accessibility.

The YouTube release will allow HBCU supporters, marching band enthusiasts, and general audiences to engage with content that celebrates historically Black college traditions. The broader distribution reflects the filmmakers’ understanding that their Emmy achievement creates platforms for educational and cultural impact beyond award recognition.

Part of broader excellence

Southern University’s recent achievements extend beyond media arts. The institution just celebrated its largest class of doctoral nursing students in university history — 12 students earned Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees, while two received Ph.D.s in nursing.

Graduate Darryl Davis made institutional history as the first male to earn a doctorate through the DNP program, further demonstrating Southern University’s commitment to breaking barriers across academic disciplines.

These nursing achievements, combined with the Emmy victory, illustrate how historically Black colleges excel across diverse fields while maintaining their commitment to student success and community impact.

Building lasting legacy

The Dream Team’s Emmy achievement represents more than individual recognition—it establishes Southern University as a destination for serious media education and creative development. Their success provides inspiration for current and prospective students while demonstrating the professional potential available through HBCU media programs.

As “The Hidden Sport” reaches broader audiences through digital distribution, the documentary will continue promoting awareness of HBCU cultural contributions while showcasing the creative talents nurtured at historically Black institutions.

The Dream Team’s victory illuminates both past achievements and future possibilities for student filmmakers at Southern University and other HBCUs nationwide — proving that with the right support and collaborative spirit, HBCU students can compete and win on any stage.