Creators of "The Hidden Sport" Eric White, Loren Sullivan, Ashley Lovelace, Sydney Cuillier, Verbon Muhammad, stepped into the limelight as they received the 2025 HBCU Sports Emmy in New York City.
The student-produced film highlights the legacy of the famous Southern University "Human Jukebox" Marching Band and its cultural impact on sports and athletics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It earned national recognition for its storytelling and cultural impact, capturing one of the top honors in collegiate sports media.
“This isn’t just a win — it’s a call to action to invest in the arts,”
Loren Sullivan, the documentary’s director, accepted the award on behalf of “The Dream Team."
“This isn’t just a win — it’s a call to action to invest in the arts,” said Sullivan, a senior from Chino Hills, California, majoring in mass communication.
Sullivan, who is a member of the Human Jukebox Media Team, thanked Southern University Athletics and the Human Jukebox for allowing the team to bring their ideas to life.
The documentary was submitted as part of a $40,000 national HBCU sports broadcasting grant competition sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company and the Foundation of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
The students say they plan to create scholarships and also donate a portion of the grant to the Human Jukebox and the Southern University Department of Mass Communication.
About
The Hidden Sport is a groundbreaking mini-documentary that redefines the perception of athleticism by shining a spotlight on the world-renowned Southern University “Human Jukebox” Marching Band. Often overlooked in the realm of sports, the film explores the rigorous physical demands, discipline, and endurance required to be a part of this elite ensemble. Through captivating interviews, powerful visuals, and dynamic storytelling, The Hidden Sport challenges the traditional definition of competition and proves that the band is not just entertainment—it’s an athletic force of its own.
