A group of Southern University students just made history. Their documentary, The Hidden Sport, spotlighting the legacy and athleticism of the university’s iconic Human Jukebox Marching Band, earned them a prestigious Sports Emmy Award. The award was announced during the 2025 Sports Emmy Awards in New York City on May 20, marking a significant moment not just for Southern, but for all HBCUs.
Produced by student filmmakers Loren Sullivan, Verbon Muhammad, Sydney Cuillier, Ashley Lovelace, and Eric White—collectively known as “The Dream Team”—the documentary was created as part of a national $40,000 HBCU sports broadcasting grant competition. The program was sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, with the goal of highlighting student-led storytelling in sports and culture.
The Hidden Sport challenges viewers to see the Human Jukebox as more than halftime entertainment. Instead, it presents the band members as true athletes, showcasing the rigorous training, discipline, and endurance it takes to be part of one of the most famous HBCU bands in the country. Their performances demand physical stamina, sharp precision, and unwavering commitment—qualities often reserved for traditional sports programs.
“This isn’t just a win—it’s a call to action to invest in the arts,” said Loren Sullivan, a senior mass communication major from Chino Hills, California, and the film’s director. In a press release from Southern University, she emphasized the broader importance of visibility and resources for HBCU creatives and communicators.
The Emmy win is a result of both storytelling excellence and cultural insight. It captures the spirit of HBCUs while presenting a powerful, narrative-driven lens on the physical demands and social value of Black marching bands. The students plan to allocate a portion of their grant toward scholarships, support for the Human Jukebox program and media team, and enhancements for the Southern University Department of Mass Communication.
The Hidden Sport will be released publicly on YouTube later this summer, with hopes of inspiring future generations to view band culture through a new lens. More than just a documentary, it’s a cultural celebration of HBCU excellence.
