James Sweat, a Hall of Fame coach who led Hampton University and Norfolk State University to championships and helped define an era of women’s basketball in the CIAA, has died.

Sweat was among the most successful coaches in conference history, building title-winning programs over nearly three decades and guiding teams through both NCAA Division II success and Division I transition. His career included conference championships, a national title and hundreds of victories, while influencing generations of student-athletes at historically Black colleges and universities. 

Sweat coached at Hampton from 1981 to 1988, compiling a 183-44 record in seven seasons. His teams won CIAA championships in 1985 and 1987 and were regular contenders in NCAA Division II postseason play. Hampton’s 1987-88 team produced one of the most dominant seasons in conference history, finishing 33-1 and winning the NCAA Division II national championship with a 65-48 victory over West Texas State. 

During his tenure at Hampton, Sweat was named CIAA Coach of the Year three times and coached four consecutive CIAA Players of the Year. His teams were known for disciplined play and depth, and several former players went on to leadership roles in athletics and education. 

Sweat became head coach at Norfolk State beginning with the 1988-89 season and spent 19 seasons guiding the Spartans. His teams won more than 340 games, captured five CIAA tournament championships and made multiple NCAA Division II regional appearances. The 1990-91 Norfolk State team posted a school-record 33 victories and advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four. 

Norfolk State transitioned to Division I competition during Sweat’s tenure. In 2002, the Spartans won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament championship, earning the program’s first NCAA Division I tournament berth in women’s basketball. The achievement marked a milestone for the program as it adjusted to a higher level of competition. 

Sweat’s accomplishments were recognized with induction into the CIAA Hall of Fame, the Hampton University Athletics Hall of Fame, the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame and the Virginia State University Athletics Hall of Fame. 

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker, who played for Sweat at Hampton, said his impact extended beyond wins and championships. 

“Coach Sweat elevated the game across our HBCU community and raised expectations for what our programs could achieve with the support and the investment. His leadership, his standards, and his belief in his student-athletes helped shape generations of women who went on to lead in sport and beyond. His influence and legacy will be felt for years to come,” McWilliams Parker said. 

Sweat was known for demanding preparation and accountability while emphasizing opportunity and development. Former players have credited him with instilling confidence and discipline that carried beyond their playing careers. 

Sweat and his wife, Phyliss LaVerne Sweat, a longtime collegiate track and field coach, were married for 66 years. The couple were widely known in Hampton Roads and the broader HBCU athletics community for their shared commitment to student-athletes, education and competitive excellence. They were inducted jointly into the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame among other honors.