For more than a quarter of a century, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) was recognized as a football powerhouse among Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Known as the UMES Hawks, over 30 alumni have played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League, with several inducted into the Collegiate and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Including Art Shell, Emerson Boozer, Roger Brown, and Johnny Sample.

Since December 2005, Hawks have come together with a renewed commitment to restoring Football to our alma mater. HFF mantra became Football is our Goal; Academics is the Mold. For the next ten years, the goals of Hawks for Football, Inc. will include collaborating with our alma mater and community to rebrand our alma mater persona. Additionally, our deliverables and outcomes address creating a new pathway for increasing student enrollment and retention and collaborating with corporate, business, and government leaders to expand their presence on campus. Finally, we look to help develop a sustainable model that focuses on increasing alums and friends donating for supporting and promoting programs of excellence in academics and athletics and engaging students in our legacy tradition and, alternately, the reinstatement of the football program at UMES.

HBCU Conference: Championing University of Maryland Eastern Shore October 27/28, 2022 The 2022 Hawks for Football event theme, "OUR LEGACY IS OUR FUTURE" provides a unique opportunity to bring awareness to two of the most pressing issues for UMES; how to increase UMES at the State, Country, and Global, and Recognize Alumni and Friends for their contribution on and off campus. In addition, the Event will provide an opportunity to engage in educational and outcome-driven workshops and plenary sessions, professional development, and networking.

The 2022 two-day Conference provides unique marketing and sponsorship opportunities for academia, companies, and organizations, providing access to hundreds of Hawks supporters, nonprofit organizations, and current UMES students, faculty, and leadership.

Sponsorship demonstrates your company's commitment to the mission of Hawks for Football, Inc. to educate, advocate and empower alums and current students towards returning football program to UMES and provide professional development opportunities to help equip the next generation of leaders for success.

The "OUR LEGACY IS OUR FUTURE" Conference provides several opportunities for partnership in our email marketing, digital signage, Website, and onsite programming and events. Your generous support of our 2022 Hawks for Football nationally promoted Event is an investment in UMES students and our HFF special projects.