Medgar made history — and the campus showed out in celebration

By Nick Masuda  |  nicholas.masuda31@mec.cuny.edu

This is what #MedgarMade history looks like.

On April 3, 2024, we brought the statewide party tour to our house.

Those CUNYAC trophies are ours because of the incredible men and women behind our championship indoor track teams.

Hundreds flocked to the pristine Bedford Lobby, vibing to the DJ, dining on grub and waiting to see if they might win a free JetBlue flight or H&M gift card.

But, most importantly, our student body, faculty and staff got to be a part of the history that the indoor track teams created through countless hours of hard work, sacrifice and determination.

The women? Their first title in 20 years. The men? Their first-ever title. The school? The first CUNYAC title in any sport since 2011.

This is a moment so big that it brought the Cougar out of his proverbial den.

With our mascot making the rounds with fist-pounds and dance moves for everyone, the true stars of the show were introduced one-by-one, each getting a moment in the Medgar spotlight.

And then it was profound words from Chetara Murphy (Director of Athletics), Dr. Jesse Kane (Senior Vice President for Student Success) and the incredibly proud Dr. Patricia Ramsey (President).

They gave way to the always supportive Jumaane D. Williams, the New York City Public Advocate that has never been shy about his adoration for Medgar Evers College. He even surprised Coach Hugh Reid with a Proclamation from his office, one that caught coach a bit off-guard, but left him and his team heart-warmed.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Coach Reid said.

There were also representatives from the offices of Mayor Eric Adams and Senator Zellnor Myrie, the latter sending a proclamation to celebrate the historic occasion.

Marsha Escayg, the Director of Alumni Relations at Medgar Evers College, also presented individual citations to every athlete on behalf of New York City Councilmember Crystal Hudson, New York City Councilmember  Mercedes Narcisse, Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest and Assemblymember  Brian Cunningham.

It was a level of love that has never been seen at Medgar Evers College — it even brought out both Fox 5 New York and News12 Brooklyn, both commending the athletics department for emerging from the so-called shadows and celebrating in due fashion.

Coach Reid took to the mic and talked about coming “home” to Medgar Evers College, bringing his 24 CUNYAC titles with him. Now it’s 25.

Conference MVP Aaliyah Bartholomew wrapped up the celebration with words of motivation well beyond her young years — “you are all my family,” she told the crowd.

That’s the Medgar way.

That’s what makes us #MedgarMade.