HBCU Marching Bands Inspire Nike's Air Max 97 Yardrunners 2026 Project

Nike Yardrunners, the initiative and sneaker collection launched in 2020 to honor the richness and culture of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), is back for Fall 2026. This time around, the Swoosh celebrates the marching bands of five different institutions with their own Air Max 97 release.

The quintet of post-secondary schools for the Nike Yardrunners 2026 Collection include:

• Tuskegee University, founded 1881
• North Carolina A&T, founded 1891
• Coppin State University, founded 1990
• Mississippi Valley State University, founded 1950
• Clark Atlanta University, founded 1988

Every special-edition Air Max offering dedicated to one of the aforementioned HBCUs feature color schemes that use signature tones from each institution. Additionally, callouts to the schools are printed on the insoles (which are stylized similarly to hats marching band members wear), and featured on the top-of-the-tongue and heel pull tab.

To tie the marching band connection together, each Yardrunner Air Max 97 arrives with a functional whistle hangtag.

Enjoy official photos of the HBCU-inspired sneaker collection ahead. Pairs are likely to land via Nike.com and through each school's channels before November ends. The sneakers are priced at $190 each.

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