By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Morgan State University (MSU) honored seven former student-athletes as new Hall of Famers and recognized two history-making swimming teams with the Team of Distinction Award on Sept. 19 in Owings Mills, Md.
The 2025 Varsity ‘M’ Letterwinners Club Athletic Hall of Fame banquet drew hundreds as former student-athletes were celebrated for their achievements both in and outside of sport.
“The committee comes out with who we believe is worthy of being considered and then we also do the same thing with the teams of distinction,” said Ramona Riley-Bozier, chair of the Morgan State University Hall of Fame Committee.
Riley-Bozier explained that the committee is made up of former college athletes who vote for that year’s inductees. She said selections have been made annually–starting in January and concluding in April—since the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are in the process of transitioning back to every two years. The committee chooses from applicants and others who may fit the criteria.
The 2025 Hall of Fame class features Ivanti “Ivy” Bush-Lawrence (volleyball, 2006-09); Maurice Burton (football, 1976-79); Clarence Holzendorf (football, 1977-80); Alan Mitchell (track and field, 2003-06); Courtenay Servary (lacrosse, 1972-75); Esther Johnson Smith (volleyball, 2004-07) and James Turk (basketball, 1961-65), posthumously. The Swimming and Diving Championship Teams (1952-75) and the 1950 Men’s 4x400m Relay Team also received recognition.
Bush-Lawrence reflected on the student-athlete environment at MSU during her time there.
“Everyday you work hard for each other, every day you give your best,” she said. “Those 5:30 a.m. times of going into the training room, the long nights and mornings have definitely shaped me. It has helped me be mentally strong, and bring that into the workplace everyday.”
One highlight of her career was a historic win against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in 2006. In her first season, she helped the Lady Bears achieve their first-ever win over UMBC, securing a career-high 31 kills and 14 digs.
That year, she was named to the All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Second Team, the MEAC All-Tournament Team, earned the MEAC Rookie of the Year and Team MVP titles. Academically, she was named to the Morgan State All-Academic First Team and received the MEAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Award in 2008.
Bush-Lawrence acknowledged the significance of the accolades as a Black volleyball player from a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
“Even within the game we are underrepresented,” she said.
According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Black women accounted for 2,101 volleyball players during the 2023-24 season — far fewer than the 8,393 Black student-athletes in men’s basketball and 32,184 in football.
She hopes the recognition inspires the next generation.
“Even if you don’t see anyone that looks like you, keep going,” she said. “Make sure that you are always conducting yourself in a positive manner. You can do anything.”
Rodger Matthews, a former member of the Swimming and Diving Championship team, expressed gratitude for the recognition but said it is overdue.
“Unfortunately, during the 70s, they had to depend on sports that made money,” he said. “Swimming doesn’t generate a great deal of revenue, like a basketball or football team.”
Even so, Matthews said the team received strong support from the MSU community.
“When I was at Morgan, even though we were not a large revenue-producing team, the stands at the swimming pool were generally full, which gave additional visibility for the entire campus,” he said. “It also permeated when we went to the other schools to swim against them. So the crowds would follow.”
Mathews highlighted the value of teamwork.
“Even though swimming is an individual sport, you are still part of a team working towards a common goal,” he said.
Matthews said his coach, James F. Mack, would emphasize the importance of being in a team and doing whatever it took for it to succeed.
MSU’s competitive swim teams kicked off in 1952, with 14 men. Two years later, the team would achieve an undefeated season. In 1955, they won their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championship. In their 1968-69 season, they clinched another CIAA Championship, which kicked off a six-year reign which included six consecutive conference titles and the inaugural MEAC Championship in 1972. They continued their dominant streak until MSU made the decision to discontinue the teams in 1975.
Matthews provided advice for current MSU student-athletes.
“The key for being a college athlete is to set your goals,” said Matthews. “Set the goals, work hard and you can get there, wherever it is you’re trying to go.”