It was another banner year for Jackson State University athletics, as championships in men's cross country, soccer, football, and women's basketball, highlighted by individual accomplishments, accentuated the last 12 months for Tiger Athletics.
 
JSU won the C.D. Henry Award as the best men's athletics program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the 2022-23 season. It is the first time JSU Athletics has won the award since the 2010-11 season, as the Tigers become the first conference team to win the award with only seven sports, one less than the eight men's sports the SWAC sponsors.

For the second straight year, JSU Athletics finished second in the Commissioner's Cup standings for the James Frank Award as the best all-around athletics program in the conference. The Jackson State women's programs combined for a fourth-place finish for the Sadie Magee / Barbara Jacket Award which recognizes the top women's program in the SWAC.

"Our student-athletes continue to rise to the new levels in representing Jackson State University," said JSU Vice President / Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson. "They continue to Build on Tradition and Blaze New Trails every season as they elevate the legacy of Tiger Athletics. I am proud of each student-athlete, their coaches, and support staff for their efforts to attain success in every endeavor at JSU."
 
HIGHLIGHTS

"Winning is a team sport," Robinson said. "It takes everyone in Tiger Nation coming together as one to support our outstanding student-athletes and coaches. Special thanks to our University Administration, campus, donors, sponsors and partners from around the nation who contribute to elevating our student-athletes to success in competition and in the classroom."
 

In the most recent NCAA Report, Jackson State Athletics posted a Graduation Success Rate of 90, the highest in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and tied for the highest of all schools in the state of Mississippi.

In the classroom, JSU student-athletes combined for a 3.06-grade point average, with more than 150 students attaining a 3.0 GPA, with 41 producing a 4.0 GPA or higher. A total of 66 student-athletes and student-athletics staff earned degrees.

A total of six programs in athletics posted cumulative team GPAs of 3.0 or higher during the 2022-23 academic year: volleyball (3.570), men's tennis (3.543), soccer (3.533), softball (3.329), women's tennis (3.204), and women's basketball (3.087).

BIG WINS
Bowling: The Lady Tigers under head coach Dr. Michael Boykins defeated five nationally-ranked teams in the early season. JSU has wins over No. 4 Sam Houston St., two wins over No. 17 Tulane, a victory over No. 20 Wisconsin-Whitewater, and  No. 24 Lincoln Memorial.
Women's Basketball:  The Lady Tigers defeated Big 12 Conference member Texas Tech and Sun Belt Conference member Louisiana-Lafayette on consecutive days in the Preseason WNIT.

Men's Basketball: The Tigers posted the first win of the Mo Williams era with a victory at American Conference member SMU.

Softball: The Lady Tigers defeated in-state foe Southern Miss of the Sun Belt Conference.

Baseball: JSU posted a mid-week win over Butler of the Big East Conference.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
Men's Cross Country: Under Head Coach Mark Thorne, the program won its second consecutive SWAC title. A total of four Tigers earned All-SWAC honors, and Thorne was named SWAC Coach of the Year for the second straight year.

Women's Soccer: The Lady Tigers of Head Coach Dr. Ted Flogaites won the SWAC Regular Season title for the first time since 2011, and the SWAC Tournament Championship for the first time since 2013. A total of seven players earned All-SWAC honors, and Coach Flogaites was named SWAC Coach of the Year.

Football: Jackson State posted the first 12-0 season in program history in winning the SWAC East Title and SWAC Championship for the second straight year to earn its second consecutive berth in the Celebration Bowl. JSU went undefeated in conference play for the second straight year, with 13 players earning SWAC accolades as Coach Prime named Coach of the Year for the second straight season.

Women's Basketball: Head Coach Tomekia Reed led JSU to its fourth consecutive SWAC Regular Season Championship, becoming the first SWAC team since 1997-2000 to win four straight regular season crowns. A total of four student-athletes earned All-SWAC honors as Coach Reed was named SWAC Coach of the Year for the second straight year and third time in the last four years while guiding JSU to its third straight national tournament appearance.


NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
12 Football Games Shown On ESPN Platforms: Nearly every Jackson State football game in 2022 was televised or video streamed on ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, or ESPN+. Every football radio broadcast was also available on SiriusXM Radio.

60 Minutes, Good Morning America On Campus: A pair of iconic shows made their way to the JSU Campus.
In mid-October, Coach Prime and JSU football were spotlighted on 60 Minutes. Only five days later, Good Morning America broadcast live from campus on Homecoming Friday.

College Gameday: The eyes of the college football world were fixated on Jackson only one week later as ESPN's College Gameday broadcast live from The Vet. It was only the fourth time that the show originated from an HBCU football game, and the first at an HBCU home venue since 2008.

Basketball Teams On HBCUGo, ESPU, ESPN+: The Jackson State women's and men's basketball teams were featured on four nationally televised doubleheaders on HBCUGo, while both teams had nationally televised games on ESPNU and ESPN+.

Softball On ESPNU: For the second straight year, the Jackson State softball team hosted a live nationally televised game on ESPNU.

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