Norfolk State has earned the Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award for the 2023-24 academic year, bestowed to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) school with the most success across all men’s athletic programs.
 
Howard University took the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award, presented to the top-performing athletics department on the women’s side. Both schools were presented with a $20,000 check at the award ceremony in Orlando, Fla. on Thursday evening.

“Congratulations to Norfolk State University, including President Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, Director of Athletics Melody Webb, and the entire athletic department for winning the 2024 Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award,” MEAC commissioner Sonja Stills said. “Receiving these awards is indicative of the overall strength of their athletics programs, and both institutions had a phenomenal 2023-24 academic year.”
 
Norfolk State won the men’s all-sports award tally with 47 points, edging out the runner-up Howard (37). The Spartans racked up recognitions in several key areas, including a regular season basketball title and a sweep of the cross country, indoor, and outdoor track & field championships.
 
NSU finished second in the women’s standings, led by the cross country and women’s basketball teams’ conference championships. The Spartans kept the momentum going on the track, claiming runner-up honors at both the indoor and outdoor championship meets.
 
The award marks Norfolk State’s second Talmadge Layman Hill award of the last three years and 13^th overall – more than any other MEAC men’s program.