Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Encyclopedia
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is a collegiate athletic conference of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)
in the Southeastern United States
. It participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
's Division I, and in football
, in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Currently, the MEAC has automatic qualifying bids for NCAA postseason play in baseball (since 1994), men’s basketball (since 1981), women’s basketball (since 1982), football (since 1996), softball (since 1995), men and women’s tennis (since 1998), and volleyball (since 1994). Bowling was officially sanctioned as a MEAC governed sport in 1999. Before that season, the MEAC was the first conference to secure NCAA sanctioning for women’s bowling
by adopting the club sport prior to the 1996-97 school year.
with the purpose of discussing the organization of a new conference. After the formulation of a committee, and their research reported, seven institutions: Delaware State University
, Howard University
, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
, Morgan State University
, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University
and South Carolina State College agreed to become the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The conference's main goals were to establish and supervise an intercollegiate athletic program among a group of educational institutions that shared the same academic standards and philosophy of co-curricular activities and seek status as a Division I conference for all of its sports.
The conference was confirmed in 1970, and had its first season of competition in football in 1971. The MEAC has had to date, three full-time commissioners. In 1978, the MEAC selected its first full-time commissioner, Kenneth A. Free, who served as Commissioner until he resigned in 1995. He was succeeded by Charles S. Harris, who served at the position until 2002. On September 1, 2002, Dennis E. Thomas became the conference’s commissioner.
The MEAC experienced its first expansion in 1979 when Bethune–Cookman College (Now Bethune–Cookman University) and Florida A&M University
were admitted as new members. That same year, founding members Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore withdrew from the conference. All three schools eventually returned to the conference; Maryland Eastern Shore rejoined in 1981, Morgan State in 1984, and North Carolina Central in 2010.
On June 8, 1980, the MEAC was classified as a Division I conference by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA). Prior to that year, the league operated as a Division II conference. The following month the MEAC received an automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
In 1984, membership in the MEAC again changed as Florida A&M chose to leave. The university would return to the conference two years later. Coppin State College, now Coppin State University, joined the conference in 1985. The MEAC would find stability in membership with the addition of two HBCUs in Virginia, Hampton University
and Norfolk State University
in 1995 and 1997 respectively. For the next 10 years, the MEAC would remain an 11 member conference. In 2007, former CIAA
member Winston-Salem State University
was granted membership, but announced on September 11, 2009 that it would return to Division II at the end of 2009-2010 and apply to return to the CIAA.
North Carolina Central University rejoined the conference effective July 1, 2010. NCCU was one of seven founding member institutions of the MEAC, but withdrew from the conference in 1979, opting to remain a Division II member when the conference reclassified to Division I.
Savannah State University
was announced as the newest member of the MEAC on March 10, 2010. Savannah State will be granted full membership status once they have satisfied certain scholarship, staffing, and budget requirements mandated by the MEAC. Savannah State originally applied for membership into the MEAC in 2006 but faced an NCAA probationary period soon after. Membership was then deferred until the completion of the imposed probation period, which ended in May 2009. Savannah State then resubmitted their application for membership again in 2009 and was finally granted probationary membership status.
*Selected to the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Championship Playoffs.
(NCAA). Since 1981, the MEAC has received an qualifying bid to for NCAA post season play in the sport of basketball. In two cases, MEAC schools seeded 15th (Coppin State in 1997, Hampton in 2001) defeated second-seeded teams in the NCAA tournament.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Historically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964 with the intention of serving the black community....
in the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
. It participates in the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Division I, and in football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
, in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
Currently, the MEAC has automatic qualifying bids for NCAA postseason play in baseball (since 1994), men’s basketball (since 1981), women’s basketball (since 1982), football (since 1996), softball (since 1995), men and women’s tennis (since 1998), and volleyball (since 1994). Bowling was officially sanctioned as a MEAC governed sport in 1999. Before that season, the MEAC was the first conference to secure NCAA sanctioning for women’s bowling
Bowling
Bowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
by adopting the club sport prior to the 1996-97 school year.
History
In 1969, a group, whose members were long associated with interscholastic athletics, met in Durham, North CarolinaDurham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
with the purpose of discussing the organization of a new conference. After the formulation of a committee, and their research reported, seven institutions: Delaware State University
Delaware State University
Delaware State University , is an American historically black, public university located in Dover, Delaware, and there are two satellite campuses located in Wilmington, Delaware, and Georgetown, Delaware...
, Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore located on 776 acres in Princess Anne, Maryland, United States, is part of the University System of Maryland...
, Morgan State University
Morgan State University
Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland...
, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels....
and South Carolina State College agreed to become the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The conference's main goals were to establish and supervise an intercollegiate athletic program among a group of educational institutions that shared the same academic standards and philosophy of co-curricular activities and seek status as a Division I conference for all of its sports.
The conference was confirmed in 1970, and had its first season of competition in football in 1971. The MEAC has had to date, three full-time commissioners. In 1978, the MEAC selected its first full-time commissioner, Kenneth A. Free, who served as Commissioner until he resigned in 1995. He was succeeded by Charles S. Harris, who served at the position until 2002. On September 1, 2002, Dennis E. Thomas became the conference’s commissioner.
The MEAC experienced its first expansion in 1979 when Bethune–Cookman College (Now Bethune–Cookman University) and Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida...
were admitted as new members. That same year, founding members Morgan State University, North Carolina Central University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore withdrew from the conference. All three schools eventually returned to the conference; Maryland Eastern Shore rejoined in 1981, Morgan State in 1984, and North Carolina Central in 2010.
On June 8, 1980, the MEAC was classified as a Division I conference by the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA). Prior to that year, the league operated as a Division II conference. The following month the MEAC received an automatic qualification to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.
In 1984, membership in the MEAC again changed as Florida A&M chose to leave. The university would return to the conference two years later. Coppin State College, now Coppin State University, joined the conference in 1985. The MEAC would find stability in membership with the addition of two HBCUs in Virginia, Hampton University
Hampton University
Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It was founded by black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War to provide education to freedmen.-History:...
and Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University
Norfolk State University is a four-year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts, historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. It is member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Virginia High-Tech Partnership.-Academics:...
in 1995 and 1997 respectively. For the next 10 years, the MEAC would remain an 11 member conference. In 2007, former CIAA
CIAA
CIAA may refer to the:* Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a U.S. athletic conference competing in NCAA Division II* Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU, a European trade organization...
member Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University , a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, is a historically black public research university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.Winston-Salem State has been...
was granted membership, but announced on September 11, 2009 that it would return to Division II at the end of 2009-2010 and apply to return to the CIAA.
North Carolina Central University rejoined the conference effective July 1, 2010. NCCU was one of seven founding member institutions of the MEAC, but withdrew from the conference in 1979, opting to remain a Division II member when the conference reclassified to Division I.
Savannah State University
Savannah State University
Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia...
was announced as the newest member of the MEAC on March 10, 2010. Savannah State will be granted full membership status once they have satisfied certain scholarship, staffing, and budget requirements mandated by the MEAC. Savannah State originally applied for membership into the MEAC in 2006 but faced an NCAA probationary period soon after. Membership was then deferred until the completion of the imposed probation period, which ended in May 2009. Savannah State then resubmitted their application for membership again in 2009 and was finally granted probationary membership status.
Current members
Membership in the MEAC has fluctuated through the years, but now stands at twelve schools. Savannah State will become the thirteenth member when granted full membership status.| Institution | Nickname | Location | Founded | Type | Enrollment | Tenure | NCAA Championships |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune–Cookman | Wildcats Bethune-Cookman Wildcats The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are the names of the college sports teams at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Lynn W. Thompson is the current Athletic Director.Bethune-Cookman currently fields varsity teams in ten different sports... |
Daytona Beach, Florida Daytona Beach, Florida Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had... |
1904 | Private | 3,614 | 1979–present | |
| Coppin State Coppin State University Coppin State University is a historically black college located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is part of the University System of Maryland... |
Eagles | Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore... |
1900 | Public | 3,801 | 1985–present | |
| Delaware State Delaware State University Delaware State University , is an American historically black, public university located in Dover, Delaware, and there are two satellite campuses located in Wilmington, Delaware, and Georgetown, Delaware... |
Hornets | Dover, Delaware Dover, Delaware The city of Dover is the capital and second largest city in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is also the county seat of Kent County, and the principal city of the Dover, Delaware Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Kent County. It is located on the St. Jones River in the Delaware... |
1891 | Public | 3,609 | 1970–present | |
| Florida A&M Florida A&M University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, commonly known as Florida A&M or FAMU, is a historically black university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States, the state capital, and is one of eleven member institutions of the State University System of Florida... |
Rattlers Florida A&M Rattlers The Florida A&M Rattlers represent Florida A&M University in college athletics. Florida A&M is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and participates in NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision . FAMU offers men's sports in baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming , tennis... |
Tallahassee, Florida Tallahassee, Florida Tallahassee is the capital of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat and only incorporated municipality in Leon County, and is the 128th largest city in the United States. Tallahassee became the capital of Florida, then the Florida Territory, in 1824. In 2010, the population recorded by... |
1887 | Public | 12,274 | 1979–1984, 1986–present |
1 (1978) |
| Hampton Hampton University Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It was founded by black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War to provide education to freedmen.-History:... |
Pirates | Hampton, Virginia Hampton, Virginia Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts... |
1868 | Private | 5,402 | 1995–present | |
| Howard Howard University Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States... |
Bison | Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution.... |
1867 | Private | 10,573 | 1970–present | 2 (1971, 1974) |
| Maryland Eastern Shore University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of Maryland Eastern Shore located on 776 acres in Princess Anne, Maryland, United States, is part of the University System of Maryland... |
Hawks | Princess Anne, Maryland Princess Anne, Maryland Princess Anne is a town in Somerset County, Maryland, United States. The population was 2,313 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Somerset County.Princess Anne is included in the Salisbury, Maryland Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
1886 | Public | 4,433 | 1970–1979, 1981–present |
2 (2008, 2011) |
| Morgan State Morgan State University Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland... |
Bears | Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore... |
1867 | Public | 7,226 | 1970–1979, 1984–present |
|
| Norfolk State Norfolk State University Norfolk State University is a four-year, state-supported, coed, liberal arts, historically black university located in Norfolk, Virginia. It is member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund and the Virginia High-Tech Partnership.-Academics:... |
Spartans | Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach.... |
1935 | Public | 6,993 | 1997–present | |
| North Carolina A&T North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a land-grant university located in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest publicly funded historically black college in the state of North Carolina.NC A&T is a constituent institution of the University of North... |
Aggies North Carolina A&T Aggies The North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University Aggies are the athletic teams that represent North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. The Aggies compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and have... |
Greensboro, North Carolina Greensboro, North Carolina Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S... |
1891 | Public | 10,614 | 1970–present | |
| North Carolina Central North Carolina Central University North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels.... |
Eagles | Durham, North Carolina Durham, North Carolina Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census... |
1910 | Public | 8,587 | 1970–1979, 2010–present |
1 (1989) |
| Savannah State University Savannah State University Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia... |
Tigers Savannah State Tigers The Tigers is the name used for all of the men's intercollegiate athletic teams that play for Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. The female intercollegiate teams are known as the Lady Tigers.-Conference affiliation:... |
Savannah, Georgia Savannah, Georgia Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important... |
1890 | Public | 3,820 | 2010–present | |
| South Carolina State South Carolina State University South Carolina State University is a historically black university located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, United States. It is the only state funded, historically black land-grant institution in South Carolina and is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.- Colleges, departments,... |
Bulldogs | Orangeburg, South Carolina Orangeburg, South Carolina Orangeburg, also known as "The Garden City," is the principal city in and the county seat of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The city is also the fifth oldest city in the state of South Carolina. The city population was 12,765 at the 2000 census, within a Greater Orangeburg... |
1896 | Public | 4,538 | 1970–present |
Former members
| Institution | Years | New Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem State University , a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina, is a historically black public research university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. It is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund.Winston-Salem State has been... |
2007-2010 | CIAA Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association is a college athletic conference, mostly consisting of historically black colleges and universities. Recent addition Chowan University is the first non-HBCU to play in the conference. Conference teams participate in the NCAA's Division II... |
Conference facilities
| School | Football stadium | Capacity | Basketball arena | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune–Cookman | Municipal Stadium Municipal Stadium (Daytona Beach) Municipal Stadium, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida, is home to the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcat football team. The stadium is also known as Larry Kelly Field, a name honoring former Daytona Beach Mayor Lawrence J. Kelly... |
10,000 | Moore Gymnasium Moore Gymnasium Moore Gymnasium is a 3,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is home to the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats basketball team.... |
3,000 |
| Coppin State | Non-football school | – | Physical Education Complex Physical Education Complex Physical Education Complex is a 4,100-seat multi-purpose arena in Baltimore, Maryland . It was built in 2009 and became home to the Coppin State University basketball team in the 2009-2010 season. The arena replaced Coppin Center.-External Links:*... |
4,100 |
| Delaware State | Alumni Stadium Alumni Stadium (Delaware State) Alumni Stadium is a 7,193-seat multi-purpose stadium in Dover, Delaware. It is home to the Delaware State University Hornets football team. The facility opened in 1957.-External Links:*... |
7,000 | Memorial Hall Memorial Hall (Delaware State) Memorial Hall is a 3,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Dover, Delaware. It is home to the Delaware State University Hornets basketball team.... |
3,000 |
| Florida A&M | Bragg Memorial Stadium Bragg Memorial Stadium Bragg Memorial Stadium is a 25,500-seat football stadium in Tallahassee, Florida. It opened in 1957 and was renovated in 1982. It is home to the Florida A&M Rattlers football team.Built in 1957, Bragg Memorial Stadium is home to Florida A&M Football... |
25,500 | Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center Teaching Gym Teaching Gym (Florida A&M) Florida A&M University's Teaching Gymnasium officially named the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center is a 9,639-seat multi-purpose arena in Tallahassee, Florida . It was built in 2009 and it is home to the Florida A&M University basketball team. The arena replaced Jake Gaither Gymnasium, which... |
9,600 |
| Hampton University Hampton University Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It was founded by black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War to provide education to freedmen.-History:... |
Armstrong Stadium Armstrong Stadium Armstrong Stadium is a 17,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Hampton, Virginia. It opened in 1928. It is home to the Hampton University Pirates football team. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the stadium underwent several renovations, and in 1999, a new section behind an end zone was added. The new... |
17,000 | Hampton Convocation Center Hampton Convocation Center Hampton Convocation Center is a 7,200-seat multi-purpose arena in Hampton, Virginia. It was built in 1993 and is home to the Hampton University Pirates basketball team. The arena replaced Holland Hall gymnasium, which holds women's volleyball matches and tournaments. The construction cost was about... |
7,200 |
| Howard University Howard University Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States... |
William H. Greene Stadium William H. Greene Stadium William H. Greene Stadium is a 7,086-seat multi-purpose stadium in Washington, D.C. It opened in 1986. It is home to the Howard University Bison football and soccer teams.-External Links:*... |
10,000 | Burr Gymnasium Burr Gymnasium Burr Gymnasium is multi-purpose arena in Washington, D.C. which opened in 1963. It is home to the Howard University Bison basketball team. It is named after John Harold Burr Jr., chairman of the physical education department from 1923 to 1958.-References:... |
2,700 |
| Maryland Eastern Shore University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of Maryland Eastern Shore located on 776 acres in Princess Anne, Maryland, United States, is part of the University System of Maryland... |
Non-football school | – | Hytche Athletic Center Hytche Athletic Center Hytche Athletic Center is a 5,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Princess Anne, Maryland. It is home to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks basketball team. It was formerly known as J. Millard Tawes Gym.-References:... |
5,500 |
| Morgan State Morgan State University Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland... |
Hughes Stadium Hughes Stadium (Morgan State) Hughes Stadium, a 10,001-seat multi-purpose stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, is home of the Morgan State University Bears football team. Nicknamed 'The Den,' Hughes Stadium features two separate seating structures behind both sidelines.... |
10,000 | Talmadge L. Hill Field House | 4,250 |
| Norfolk State | William "Dick" Price Stadium | 30,000 | Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall Joseph G. Echols Memorial Hall is a 7,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Norfolk, Virginia. It was built in 1982 and is home to the Norfolk State University Spartans basketball team. It hosted the 1997 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament.-External links:*... |
7,000 |
| North Carolina A&T North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a land-grant university located in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest publicly funded historically black college in the state of North Carolina.NC A&T is a constituent institution of the University of North... |
Aggie Stadium | 22,000 | Corbett Sports Center Corbett Sports Center The Ellis F. Corbett Health, Physical Education and Recreation Center, usually called simply the Corbett Sports Center and popularly referred to as the Dawg Pound is a multi-purpose arena in Greensboro, North Carolina... |
5,700 |
| North Carolina Central North Carolina Central University North Carolina Central University is a public historically black university in the University of North Carolina system, located in Durham, North Carolina, offering programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels.... |
O'Kelly–Riddick Stadium | 10,000 | McLendon–McDougald Gymnasium McLendon–McDougald Gymnasium McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium is a 3,056-seat multi-purpose arena in Durham, North Carolina. It is home to the North Carolina Central University Eagles basketball team.... |
3,050 |
| Savannah State Savannah State University Savannah State University is a four-year, state-supported, historically black university located in Savannah, Georgia. Savannah State holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia... |
Ted Wright Stadium Ted Wright Stadium Ted Wright Stadium is a 7,500-seat multi-purpose stadium in Savannah, Georgia. The facility is located on the campus of Savannah State University and is named in honor of Theodore Wright who served as the Tiger's head football coach from 1947-1949.... |
7,500 | Tiger Arena Tiger Arena Tiger Arena is a 6,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Savannah, Georgia, United States. It is home to the Savannah State University Tigers basketball and volleyball teams... |
6,000 |
| South Carolina State | Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Oliver C. Dawson Stadium Oliver C. Dawson Stadium is a 22,000-seat multi-purpose stadium in Orangeburg, South Carolina. It opened in 1955 with major renovations in 1994. It is home to the South Carolina State University Bulldogs football and women's soccer teams.-External Links:*... |
22,000 | SHM Memorial Center SHM Memorial Center S-H-M Memorial Center is a 3,200-seat multi-purpose arena in Orangeburg, South Carolina, named in memorandum of Smith Hammond, Delano Middleton, and Henry Smith, who died in the Orangeburg Massacre. It is home to the South Carolina State University Bulldogs basketball team.... |
3,200 |
Sports
Member universities compete in the following sports:- BaseballBaseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
- BowlingBowlingBowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule...
- Men's and Women's BasketballBasketballBasketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
- Men's and Women's Cross CountryCross country runningCross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
- FootballAmerican footballAmerican football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
- SoftballSoftballSoftball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
- Men's and Women's TennisTennisTennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
- Men's and Women's Track & Field
- Women's VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
Current Champions
| Sport | School |
|---|---|
| Baseball | Bethune-Cookman |
| Basketball (W) | Hampton |
| Basketball (M) | Hampton |
| Bowling | Maryland Eastern Shore |
| Cross Country (W) | Maryland Eastern Shore |
| Cross Country (M) | Norfolk State |
| Sport | School |
|---|---|
| Football | Bethune-Cookman South Carolina State Florida A&M |
| Indoor Track & Field (W) | Norfolk State |
| Indoor Track & Field (M) | Norfolk State |
| Outdoor Track & Field (W) | Hampton |
| Outdoor Track & Field (M) | Norfolk State |
| Sport | School |
|---|---|
| Softball | Bethune-Cookman |
| Tennis (W) | South Carolina State |
| Tennis (M) | South Carolina State |
| Volleyball | South Carolina State |
Football
| Season | Champion(s) |
|---|---|
| 1971 | Morgan State |
| 1972 | North Carolina Central |
| 1973 | North Carolina Central |
| 1974 | South Carolina State |
| 1975 | South Carolina State |
| 1976 | South Carolina State |
| 1977 | South Carolina State |
| 1978 | South Carolina State |
| 1979 | Morgan State |
| 1980 | South Carolina State |
| 1981 | South Carolina State |
| 1982 | South Carolina State |
| 1983 | South Carolina State |
| 1984 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 1985 | Delaware State |
| 1986 | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1987 | Howard |
| 1988 | Bethune-Cookman Delaware State Florida A&M |
| 1989 | Delaware State |
| 1990 | Florida A&M |
| 1991 | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1992 | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1993 | Howard |
| 1994 | South Carolina State |
| 1995 | Florida A&M |
| 1996 | Florida A&M |
| 1997 | Hampton |
| 1998 | Florida A&M Hampton |
| 1999 | North Carolina A&T State |
| 2000 | Florida A&M |
| 2001 | Florida A&M |
| 2002 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2003 | North Carolina A&T State |
| 2004 | Hampton South Carolina State |
| 2005 | Hampton |
| 2006 | Hampton |
| 2007 | Delaware State |
| 2008 | South Carolina State |
| 2009 | South Carolina State |
| 2010 | Bethune-Cookman* South Carolina State* Florida A&M |
| 2011 | Norfolk State |
*Selected to the 2010 NCAA Division I Football Championship Playoffs.
Men's basketball
On June 8, 1980, the MEAC earned the classification as a Division I conference by the National Collegiate Athletic AssociationNational Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA). Since 1981, the MEAC has received an qualifying bid to for NCAA post season play in the sport of basketball. In two cases, MEAC schools seeded 15th (Coppin State in 1997, Hampton in 2001) defeated second-seeded teams in the NCAA tournament.
| Season | Regular season champion(s) | Tournament champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1973 | Maryland Eastern Shore | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1974 | Maryland Eastern Shore | Maryland Eastern Shore |
| 1975 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1976 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1977 | South Carolina State | Morgan State |
| 1978 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1979 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1980 | Howard | Howard |
| 1981 | North Carolina A&T State | Howard |
| 1982 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1983 | Howard | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1984 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1985 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1986 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1987 | Howard | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1988 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1989 | South Carolina State | South Carolina State |
| 1990 | Coppin State | Coppin State University |
| 1991 | Coppin State | Florida A&M |
| 1992 | Howard | Howard |
| 1993 | Coppin State | Coppin State |
| 1994 | Coppin State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1995 | Coppin State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1996 | Coppin State South Carolina State |
South Carolina State |
| 1997 | Coppin State | Coppin State |
| 1998 | Coppin State | South Carolina State |
| 1999 | South Carolina State Coppin State |
Florida A&M |
| 2000 | South Carolina State | South Carolina State |
| 2001 | Hampton | Hampton |
| 2002 | Hampton | Hampton |
| 2003 | South Carolina State | South Carolina State |
| 2004 | South Carolina State Coppin State |
Florida A&M |
| 2005 | Delaware State | Delaware State |
| 2006 | Delaware State | Hampton |
| 2007 2007 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament The 2007 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament took place on March 6–10, 2007 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. The championship game was televised by ESPN Classic.-Bracket:Asterisk denotes game ended in overtime.... |
Delaware State | Florida A&M |
| 2008 | Morgan State | Coppin State |
| 2009 2009 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament The 2009 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament, the culmination of the 2008–09 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball season and a part of the 2008-09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season, took place from March 10–March 14, 2009, at the Lawrence Joel Veterans... |
Morgan State | Morgan State |
| 2010 2010 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament Source: at -External links:* at... |
Morgan State | Morgan State |
| 2011 2011 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament The 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament took place on March 7–12, 2011 at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The championship game was nationally televised on ESPN2 on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at 2:00 p.m... |
Bethune-Cookman | Hampton |
| 2012 2012 MEAC Men's Basketball Tournament The 2012 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament will take place on March 5–10, 2012 at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid into the 2012 NCAA Tournament... |
Tournaments Performance by school
| School | Championships | Championship Years |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina A&T State | |
1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1994, 1995 |
| South Carolina State | |
1989, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003 |
| Coppin State | |
1990, 1993, 1997, 2008 |
| Florida A&M | |
1991, 1994, 2004, 2007 |
| Howard | |
1980, 1981, 1992 |
| Hampton | |
2001, 2002, 2006, 2011 |
| Morgan State | |
1977, 2009, 2010 |
| Maryland-Eastern Shore | |
1974 |
| Delaware State | |
2005 |
Women's basketball
| Season | Regular season champion(s) | Tournament champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | – | South Carolina State |
| 1979 | – | South Carolina State |
| 1980 | – | – |
| 1981 | – | – |
| 1982 | – | Howard |
| 1983 | – | South Carolina State |
| 1984 | South Carolina State | Bethune-Cookman |
| 1985 | South Carolina State | Howard |
| 1986 | South Carolina State | South Carolina State |
| 1987 | Howard | Howard |
| 1988 | North Carolina A&T State | Howard |
| 1989 | North Carolina A&T State | Howard |
| 1990 | North Carolina A&T State | Howard |
| 1991 | South Carolina State | Coppin State |
| 1992 | South Carolina State | South Carolina State |
| 1993 | South Carolina State Coppin State Florida A&M |
South Carolina State |
| 1994 | South Carolina State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 1995 | Florida A&M | Florida A&M |
| 1996 | Florida A&M | Howard |
| 1997 | Howard | Howard |
| 1998 | Howard | Howard |
| 1999 | Hampton | Florida A&M |
| 2000 | Howard | Hampton |
| 2001 | Howard | Howard |
| 2002 | Howard | Norfolk State |
| 2003 | Hampton | Hampton |
| 2004 | Delaware State Hampton |
Hampton |
| 2005 | Coppin State | Coppin State |
| 2006 | Coppin State | Coppin State |
| 2007 | Coppin State | Delaware State |
| 2008 | North Carolina A&T State | Coppin State |
| 2009 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 2010 2010 MEAC Women's Basketball Tournament Sources:* at * at -External links:*... |
North Carolina A&T State | Hampton University |
| 2011 | Hampton | Hampton |
| 2012 |
Softball
Bethune-Cookman won the Florida Regional in 2005, the first NCAA Regional Final ever won by a MEAC school, and ended that season ranked #18 in a national poll.| Season | Champion(s) |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Florida A&M |
| 1994 | Florida A&M |
| 1995 | Florida A&M |
| 1996 | Hampton |
| 1997 | Florida A&M |
| 1998 | Florida A&M |
| 1999 | Florida A&M |
| 2000 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2001 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2002 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2003 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2004 | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2005 | Florida A&M |
| 2006 | Florida A&M |
| 2007 | Howard |
Baseball
| Season | Regular season champion(s) | Tournament champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Howard | |
| 1973 | South Carolina State | |
| 1974 | North Carolina A&T | |
| 1975 | Howard | |
| 1976 | Howard | |
| 1977 | Howard | |
| 1978 | No Records Available | |
| 1979 | No Records Available | |
| 1980 | No Records Available | |
| 1981 | No Records Available | |
| 1982 | No Records Available | |
| 1983 | No Records Available | |
| 1984 | Howard | |
| 1985 | Bethune-Cookman | |
| 1986 | Howard | |
| 1987 | Florida A&M | |
| 1988 | Florida A&M | |
| 1989 | Delaware State | |
| 1990 | Florida A&M | |
| 1991 | Florida A&M | |
| 1992 | Florida A&M | |
| 1993 | North Carolina A&T State | |
| 1994 | Florida A&M | |
| 1995 | Coppin State | |
| 1996 | Bethune-Cookman | |
| 1997 | Bethune-Cookman | |
| 1998 | Howard | |
| 1999 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2000 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2001 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2002 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2003 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2004 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2005 | North Carolina A&T State | North Carolina A&T State |
| 2006 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2007 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2008 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2009 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |
| 2010 | Bethune-Cookman | Bethune-Cookman |