It was hard to visualize just a few months ago how a historically Black Division I athletic conference would lose five teams and not lose its commissioner, but the prophecy of the obvious came to pass yesterday as long-serving Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Commissioner Dennis Thomas announced plans to retire in December.
The MEAC needs to find its special sauce and market the daylights out of it. The SWAC has turned into a beast with football as the main course. It also helps that the SWAC is in the South where football is as in-grained as God and family. The SIAC is that well-oiled machine that is the sleeper hit that mastered being ahead of the game (e.g. female officiating, technology, etc.). I would like to see all of the leagues master their programs with stronger online store merch, initiatives to help student-athletes grow their NIL opportunities, and some special tweaks that separate these leagues from the rest. Specifically, I would like to see leagues implement end zone TVs for teams to pose in front (similar to what the NFL did last season) after touchdowns. Also, I would like to see the leagues eliminate penalities for taunting and showboating. I am not sure if they can do so or if it is a NCAA rules, but it would give the leagues some epic social media posts and heightens what Black Americans do best, be bold, different, and entertainment.
I like how the SWAC knows its lane and taps into well. And they are not afraid to give in their lane. It must be that Southern vibe and that chip on their shoulder feeling that keeps it live.
The MEAC needs to find its special sauce and market the daylights out of it. The SWAC has turned into a beast with football as the main course. It also helps that the SWAC is in the South where football is as in-grained as God and family. The SIAC is that well-oiled machine that is the sleeper hit that mastered being ahead of the game (e.g. female officiating, technology, etc.). I would like to see all of the leagues master their programs with stronger online store merch, initiatives to help student-athletes grow their NIL opportunities, and some special tweaks that separate these leagues from the rest. Specifically, I would like to see leagues implement end zone TVs for teams to pose in front (similar to what the NFL did last season) after touchdowns. Also, I would like to see the leagues eliminate penalities for taunting and showboating. I am not sure if they can do so or if it is a NCAA rules, but it would give the leagues some epic social media posts and heightens what Black Americans do best, be bold, different, and entertainment.
Great points! I go to a SWAC school and the conference feels like the SEC of HBCUs when it comes to football.
I like how the SWAC knows its lane and taps into well. And they are not afraid to give in their lane. It must be that Southern vibe and that chip on their shoulder feeling that keeps it live.