Delaware State announced Thursday that it will become the first historically Black institution to offer Division I women's wrestling.Jahi Jones, the executive director of the HBCU Wrestling Initiative, said his organization has contributed $1.25 million to help launch the program.The decision is timely for two reasons. The plan is to start competing during the 2025-26 school year which coincides with first season womens wrestling is expected to make the move from an emerging sport to an NCAA championship sport. Add the fact that girls wrestling is Americas fastest-growing high school sport, and Jones is ecstatic.I dont think the timing could have been any any better than what it is right now, having a full year to be able to get a coach in place and recruiting girls and being able to go in running -- the timing is is perfect," Jones said. "And then just being able to be a part of that inaugural championship -- its huge. I cant even put into words like how big that is.Delaware State athletic director Alecia Shields-Gadson said her school, which dropped mens wrestling in 2009, likes the opportunities provided by adding womens wrestling to the athletic program.The partnership with HBCU Wrestling gives our women student-athletes a platform to compete, grow, and inspire others, she said. We are excited for this new chapter and the impact it will have for years to come.RELATED | Women's basketball program helping make sport more accessible to everyoneMorgan State added mens wrestling in 2023-24, becoming the only HBCU to offer the sport at the Division I level. The HBCU Wrestling Initiative also played a key role in getting that program started, helping with a $2.7 million donation.Jones hopes the moves at Morgan State and Delaware State lead to more HBCUs adding the sport. He said he has been in contact with others about starting programs for both men and women, but he declined to say which ones.The NCAA Committee on Womens Athletics recommended in February that Divisions I, II and III sponsor legislation to add a womens wrestling championship, a key step in a potential advancement from emerging sport status to an official NCAA championship sport. The vote is scheduled for January.Delaware State's move is another step in an American women's wrestling boom that has gone all the way to the top. At the Summer Olympics in Paris, Sarah Hildebrandt and Amit Elor won gold, making it the first time any nation other than Japan won more than two golds in women's wrestling since it was added to the Games in 2004. Kennedy Blades earned silver and Helen Maroulis took bronze, meaning Team USA medaled in four of the six weight classes.