Ivy Harrington, a former standout on the Morgan State University women’s basketball team, is now making headlines for a completely different kind of win—being crowned Miss New Jersey USA 2025.
Harrington, who played for the Morgan State Lady Bears from 2013 to 2017, was known for her tenacity on the court. Over her four-year college career, she played in 114 games, starting in 26 of them. She racked up 457 points, 261 rebounds, and 101 steals, proving to be a key contributor throughout her time with the team. Her freshman year stats were especially impressive, averaging 7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Now, the former college athlete has turned her competitive energy and resilience toward the pageant world—a space where she is thriving just as fiercely.
Harrington’s journey into pageantry began in 2021, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. She faced early disappointments, and like many, she was deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview with NJ Advance Media, Harrington opened up about navigating grief after losing her father. “Our family dynamic changed drastically after my dad died,” she shared. “And trying to navigate the world during a global pandemic while grieving made it that much harder.”
Yet through it all, Harrington stayed committed to her goals. Her Miss New Jersey USA 2025 title is more than a crown—it’s a symbol of perseverance, self-belief, and the multifaceted excellence that HBCU students and alumni continue to embody.
Her win marks a major milestone, not only for her personal journey but for Morgan State University and HBCUs across the country. It showcases the wide range of opportunities and platforms HBCU graduates are stepping into—from sports and politics to entertainment and now, national pageantry.
As she prepares to represent New Jersey on the national stage, Harrington stands as a proud ambassador of what HBCUs cultivate: talent, resilience, leadership, and impact.
From the hardwood to the runway, Ivy Harrington is proving that HBCU excellence knows no limits.
