Howard University

Howard University Dept of Athletics
 Burr Gymnasium 6th & Girard Sts, NW, Ste 101 Washington, DC 20059
Division 1 Dist of Columbia Northeast
Private Large National competitor
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Victoria Tyson

Howard University Director of Athletics Kery Davis announced the hiring of Victoria Tyson as the new head coach of the softball program on Monday, Nov. 1, 2018. Tyson came to Howard from the University of Maryland College Park where she was the pitching coach.


"We are excited to welcome Victoria Tyson to the Bison program. She is a rising star in softball coaching circles with a demonstrated ability to recruit and teach the game at the highest levels," commented Davis. "She comes from a softball family and has learned the game from some of the best softball coaches in the country. She is now ready to lead our team not only on the field but in the classroom."


In 2022, Tyson guided the program to its second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship after defeating long-time rival Morgan State. After the tourney, she was named the tournament’s outstanding coach. Howard wrapped up MEAC play with a 17-4 mark, the program’s best finish since winning the back-to-back MEAC Northern Division titles (2009 & 2010). Along the way, she coached a program-best eight Bison to All-MEAC honors: Victoria Brown (All-MEAC Second Team); Analise De La Roca (All-MEAC Second Team); Kalita Dennis (All-MEAC First Team); Camille Navarro (All-MEAC Second Team); Payton Quinonez (All-MEAC Second Team); Lealani Ricks (All-MEAC First Team); Alyssa Vasquez (All-MEAC Second Team) and Alyssa Watson (All-MEAC Third Team).


In her third season (2021), Tyson witnessed Camille Navarro earn MEAC Player of the Year and Kiana Carr take home MEAC Pitcher of the Year.


Before the 2020 season was shutdown due to COVID-19, Kalita Dennis made the 2020 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List, becoming the first Bison in program history to be honored for this achievement.


In her first season (2019), Coach Tyson revitalized the program with several victories throughout the year. HU reached the postseason for the first time since 2015 while grabbing their first tourney win in eight seasons (2011). Additionally, the Bison's 19 victories are the most since 2012. The conference unveiled its softball postseason honors where Kalita Dennis (MEAC Rookie of the Year; All-MEAC), Xzarria Simmons (All-MEAC) and Camille Navarro (All-MEAC) received recognition.


Before joining the Bison, Tyson was named an assistant coach for the Chicago Bandits franchise of the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) league. In this position, she produced two undefeated pitchers in the NPF league. Additionally, the team had the second lowest staff ERA posted in franchise history.


At Maryland she assisted in leading the Terps to their first Big 10 appearance since 2015. Under her guidance the Terps' pitchers led the team to its first back to back conference series win.


Before Tyson joined the Terrapin staff she led Cal State Fullerton to two straight NCAA Regional appearances and two Big West Conference Championships. The pitchers she coached at Fullerton pitched 46 complete games with 24 shutouts. She had two of her pitchers go on that year to win Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.


Tyson's added experience includes being assistant coach at Bethune-Cookman University where she spearheaded scouting reports on opponents, served as the recruiting coordinator and was the primary pitching coach training the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year.


During her time on the softball team at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln she was a scholarship student-athlete and letter winner. Tyson played three years of softball where she trained under pitching coach Lori Sippel. She appeared in the 2009 NCAA Regional for the Cornhuskers and made 47 starts in 2010. She pitched her first two seasons as a Cornhusker and went on to become a team captain in 2011.


She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications Studies in 2012.

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Camille Navarro

Assistant Coach

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Khadija Neely

In 2024, Khadija Neely was named assistant coach for the Howard University Softball team after previously serving in the same role at Alabama State University.


Neely is a skilled and dedicated softball coach with a comprehensive background in player development and education. Her dedication to player development and community involvement is reflected in her work, both on and off the field.


Before joining Alabama State, Neely worked as an English and Language Arts teacher at Charles Henderson High School (2020-22), balancing classroom duties with managing team practices, games, and player eligibility.


She also owned and operated Scrap Yard Academy in Spring, Texas (2017-2020), where she coordinated development programs for athletes ranging from 12 to 35 years old. In this role, she worked with professional players from the Scrap Yard Dawgs, enhancing athletes' strength and agility through sport-specific training.


Neely's coaching experience extends to international competitions.


From 2016-20, she coached with the Scrap Yard Dawgs and Internationals Club Team where she helped with drills, game strategy, and player development, preparing athletes for international events like the 16U Canada Cup Showcase and exhibitions in Japan. She also interned with the Scrap Yard Dawgs NPF Team for one season (2016), managing game day operations, ticket sales, and office tasks.


Educationally, Neely holds a Master of Science in Sport and Fitness Management (2020) and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science (2017) from Troy University, along with an associate degree in Behavioral Science from Chattanooga State Community College (2014).


While at Troy, she actively participated in community engagement through initiatives like Habitat for Humanity and was involved in the Kinesiology Health and Promotions Club.


Neely has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including being named Troy Messenger's Coach of the Year (2021). She was also a standout student-athlete, earning honors such as 1st Team All-Region, NJCAA National Tournament Defensive Player, and National Fast Pitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar-Athlete.

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