When Ty Grace first stepped onto the bench for Howard University’s women’s basketball program in 2015, the Bison were mired in a decade of underachievement, having cycled through three coaches and barely a whisper of NCAA Tournament relevance. Grace’s mandate was clear: resurrect a dormant tradition and embed a culture of excellence that could compete on the national stage.
Over the ensuing years, Grace’s defensive acumen and recruiting savvy transformed the roster into a perennial contender. Her squads captured three MEAC regular‑season crowns and two tournament titles, while also securing two NCAA Tournament berths and a WNIT appearance. The team’s defensive metrics routinely ranked among the nation’s best, and four of Grace’s players have earned MEAC Player of the Year honors, including the last three awardees.
Historic NCAA Tournament Run
The pinnacle arrived in the most recent campaign, when Howard posted a school‑record 26 victories, went unbeaten at home, and earned a No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament — the highest seed ever recorded by a Bison women’s team. The run featured signature wins over Power‑4 opponent Cincinnati and NCAA Tournament participant Fairfield, underscoring the program’s newfound credibility.
Grace’s contract extension was welcomed not only by the university’s leadership but also by the broader Howard community. Athletic Director Kery Davis, President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, and the Board of Trustees cited her commitment to academic success and student‑athlete development as reasons to secure the program’s future. Grace, in turn, expressed gratitude to Vice President and Director of Athletics Kery Davis, President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick, the Board of Trustees, and the entire Howard family for their unwavering support.