California State University Northridge Athletics
CSUN Launches Black Student-Athlete Alliance
9/9/2026 7:19:00 AM | General
CSUN's BSAA, formerly the Black Student-Athlete Association, is a student-led organization that supports Black student-athletes both academically and athletically while building community among Black students across campus. In February 2026, CSUN kicked off the university's historic new designation and goals as a Black-Serving Institution. As one of just 31 colleges and universities to receive the designation from the state of California, CSUN is focused on improving retention, graduation rates, equity and engagement for Black and African American students.
Michael Blevins (men's soccer), who will serve as President of the BSAA in 2026-27, guided the organization's name change to be more inclusive. Under Summer Mosley's (track & field) leadership, the group grew from fewer than 10 attendees to roughly 30 members and was recognized as CSUN's 2025 Student Organization of the Year. Jabari Vaughn (track & field), who also helped repurpose the organization, was one of several student-athletes to represent CSUN at the national Black Student-Athlete Summit on how to establish similar organizations on college campuses. 
The mission statement of the BSAA:
The CSUN Black Student Athlete Alliance is dedicated to the creation of pathways for greater unity among athletes of color. As an organization we seek to empower Black Student Athletes through fostering a safe space to discuss black issues, create opportunities for and professional development, and provide resources to give back to our community.
Blevins, a member of CSUN's SAAC Executive Board, also represents CSUN Athletics as a member of Big West Undivided. Each of the conference's member institutions appoints one administrator and one student-athlete to serve on the committee. The mission statement of Big West Undivided is to work to combat racism, advance social justice, and create sustainable cultural change across athletic communities. The initiative operates under the primary oversight and liaison work of the conference office, managed by Angie Allen, Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Student-Athlete Engagement.
Dr. Cedric Hackett and his former teammates founded the Black Student-Athlete Association in 1992, and supports the organization's evolution from the Black Student-Athlete Association to the Black Student-Athlete Alliance.
"I have experienced three careers at CSUN, student-athlete, EOP Advisor, and Faculty," said Hackett. "The shortest career was being a student athlete and the most meaningful for reasons of obtaining discipline, being accountable, teamwork, adversity, leadership, and commitment."
For Hackett, CSUN's Faculty Athletic Representative, serving as faculty advisor to the association represents a full-circle moment. Dr. Hackett and his former teammates founded the Black Student-Athlete Association (1992) to address the need for counseling support, funding for athletic grants, greater opportunities, and stronger advocacy for Black student-athletes.
The organization's motto, inspired by Dr. Harry Edwards, captures the systemic barriers student-athletes have historically faced:
"The Black dumb jock is not born; he is systematically created."
#GoMatadors
