Orangeburg, S.C. - The 1987 Central State University Marauders did more than put together a winning season. They carried the name of a small Historically Black College and University (HBCU) from Wilberforce, Ohio, into some of the most infamous stadiums and Black College Football showcases in America, defeated several nationally recognized programs, and finished the year claiming the title as the Black College Football National Champions while being ranked No. 3 in the nation.
Led by head coach Billy Joe, the 1987 Marauders put together a remarkable 10-1-1 record as an independent during the NAIA Division I football season. More than the numbers, however, the season became a defining chapter in Central State football history, one built on determination, belief, and a team that refused to be intimidated by the stage or the opponent.
The Marauders' 1987 campaign featured five classic games, including a memorable matchup against Tennessee State in the Circle City Classic at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. More than 50,000 fans packed the stadium, providing a national stage for two prominent HBCU football programs.
Central State also took its talents to Yankee Stadium, where the Marauders faced Grambling State in the Whitney M. Young Memorial Classic. Those games placed Central State in front of some of the largest crowds and most recognizable stages in Black college football, giving the Marauders an opportunity to showcase the talent, toughness, and pride that defined the program.
And they delivered.
Week after week, the Marauders answered the challenge. No matter the opponent, the stage, or the expectations, Central State kept rising to the occasion. By the end of the season, the Marauders had established themselves among the nation's elite and secured their place as the 1987 Black College Football National Champions.
Among the members of that historic team set to be enshrined is senior captain and tight end
Tony O'Neal of Detroit, Michigan, who went on to build a career in athletics administration and now serves as Claflin University's director of athletics.
For O'Neal, the upcoming recognition represents much more than a celebration of a championship. It is an opportunity to honor the teammates, coaches, and family members who helped make that season possible, and to reflect on a group that understood the significance of what it was accomplishing.
"I'm excited about this special moment for this remarkable team," O'Neal said. "One of my proudest memories is how we fought week after week. This team was something special. We sent a message and put people on notice about the talent we had on this team. It didn't matter who we played; we rose to the occasion, and there was no stopping us."
That belief became the heartbeat of the 1987 Marauders.
They represented Central State with pride, competed on some of the biggest stages in Black college football, and left behind a standard that continues to resonate nearly four decades later. Their championship season was not simply about what happened on the field in 1987. It was about proving what was possible for a small HBCU with a determined group of student-athletes willing to believe in one another.
The legacy of the 1987 Marauders lives on through the players who wore the maroon and gold, the coaches who guided them, and the generations that followed.
For O'Neal and his teammates, the memories remain as vivid as ever. The games may have ended decades ago, but the message they sent has never faded. The 1987 National Championship team will be enshrined in the Central State University Hall of Fame on Friday, October 9, 2026.
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About Claflin University Athletics
Claflin University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II institution that sponsors 13 intercollegiate sports. The university's athletic program includes volleyball; women's flag football; men's and women's cross country; men's and women's basketball; softball; men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field; and baseball. Claflin's teams compete primarily in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), while the baseball program competes in the Peach Belt Conference.
