Central State University Marauders: A Look Back at 2024 and the Exciting Year Ahead
As we wrap up 2024 and look forward to the exciting opportunities on the horizon in 2025, there is so much for the Central State University Marauders to be proud of this year. From standout individual performances to team accomplishments and major upgrades to our athletic facilities, the Marauders have made incredible strides across the board.
2024 Highlights:
Indoor Track & Field: The 2024 Indoor Track & Field season saw the Marauders bring home impressive honors. The women's team finished 2nd overall, while the men's team took 3rd. Individually, Amarianna Lofton continued her remarkable career by earning All-American honors and was named the Women's Track Athlete of the Year. Jasmine Williams was recognized as the Freshman Athlete of the Year. Simone Christmon was selected for the All-Sportsmanship Team, and Jae-Lijah Cochran had an outstanding season, earning Men's Outstanding Track Athlete, Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, and Freshman Athlete of the Year. Myles Lacking also joined Simone on the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Outdoor Track & Field: As the season transitioned to the outdoors, the women's team finished 5th overall and took home several championships. Amarianna Lofton claimed first place in both the high jump and the 100m hurdles. Simone Christmon excelled in the javelin, and the 4x400m relay team—featuring Kapri Dawkins, Jaylin Bradshaw, Michael Addison, and Jurnie Hemsley—claimed victory. The men's and women's cross-country teams also had impressive finishes at the SIAC Championships, with the men securing 2nd place and the women finishing 3rd.
Men's Volleyball: The Marauders' men's volleyball team capped off an exciting season by finishing in 2nd place. The team went head-to-head with top-ranked opponents, including USC, Long Beach State, and Cal State Northridge, showcasing their talent on the national stage.
Football: In football, the Marauders saw three players earn All-Conference honors. Jalili Lenore, the SIAC tackles leader, was named to the first team, while Mike White and Jose Chaires were placed on the second team. Lenore also earned second-team All-Region honors, solidifying his standout season.
Women's Basketball: In women's basketball, the Marauders earned a spot in the SIAC Tournament, finishing with a 1-1 record to close out the 23-24 season.  They also have a 4-1 start in the SIAC in the 24-25.
Men's Basketball: Willie Jackson joined Marauder history by scoring his 1000 point in the last regular season game of the season.  Jackson was also named to the SIAC first team all-conference team and played in the HBCU All-Star Game on the campus of Ohio State. 
Cross Country: The Marauders Men's Cross Country team finished 2^nd in the SIAC and The Women's team ran well to a 3^rd place finish. 
A Summer of Change: The summer of 2024 ushered in a new era for the Marauders, as Athletics Director Kevicia Brown continued to grow and strengthen the department. Major leadership changes included:

• William Ware named head coach of Men's and Women's Golf
• Travis Lewis appointed as the new head coach of Men's Basketball
• Annitra Cole became the new head coach of Women's Basketball
• Devin Walker took over as head coach of Men's and Women's Volleyball
• Keon Thorpe was named Director of Strength and Conditioning
• Deontai Alexander became the General Manager of Corporate Sponsorships and Tickets
• Bianca Collins was elevated to Director of Student Athlete Development
• Brad Kocher was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director of External Operations
• Brandon Peterson named Coordinator of Gameday Operations and Athletic Facilities

Social Media and Engagement: The Marauders saw significant growth in social media visibility, doubling their follower count across platforms. With a fresh new look on Instagram and Facebook, as well as the launch of Marauders+ on YouTube, the Marauders continued to engage with alumni and fans in innovative ways. The student media team has become a vital part of strengthening the athletic communication department.
Giving Back: The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) completed a successful year of community service. They dedicated time to volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Columbus, preparing a new building by assembling furniture, landscaping, and meeting with families. Additionally, the SAAC team visited Dayton City Schools, where they read to elementary students, continuing the Marauder tradition of service and giving back to the community.
On the National Stage: Athletic Director Kevicia Brown continues to become a leader among athletic directors across the nation.  AD Brown was a feature presenter in the 2024 NACDA conference presenting in front of a large crowd of peers at the 2024 Minorities Opportunities Athletic Association in Las Vegas, NV. 
Facility Upgrades: 2024 also saw continued improvements to our athletic facilities, which now feature:

• A new Athletic Director Suite for hosting donors and guests
• A newly revamped team room for Basketball and Volleyball
• The exciting new Foundation basketball court that gives Marauder Basketball and Volleyball a fresh, energized look that stands out
• New video score tables and a state-of-the-art video board, making Beacom Lewis Gymnasium the prime venue for home events

Notable Events: In a historic move, the Marauder football team competed in the inaugural Rochester Frederick Douglass Classic, a testament to the team's growing prominence and regional importance among HBCU's. Meanwhile, the men's basketball team opened their season with challenging matchups against Division I teams, including Eastern Michigan, Wright State, and Central Michigan.
Looking Ahead: As we reflect on the successes of 2024, there is so much to be excited about in 2025. The future of Marauder athletics is bright, with continued growth, new leadership, and the incredible talent of our student-athletes. We can't wait to see what's next!  The 2025 season kicks off with some exciting basketball games at Benedict and Allen.  Looking a little further ahead, the Marauders Men's Volleyball team hosts USC at Beacom Lewis on January 29th.

Go Marauders!