MEAC HISTORY CONT.

The MEAC continued its expansion with the addition of Hampton University in 1995 and Norfolk State University in1997, giving the league its current membership of eleven institutions. A prestigious event occurred when the MEAC satisfied necessary National Collegiate Athletic Association (NAA) criteria to be classified as a Division I Conference on June 8, 1980; and just a month later, was granted an automatic berth to participate in the NCAA Division I Basketball Championship.

In 1981, 82, 86 and 1996 the conference qualified for an automatic entry in the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championships. Howard completed the 1993 regular season undefeated, becoming the only MEAC team to accomplish that feat.

The MEAC has achieved a number of successes in intercollegiate athletics. In more history, S.C. State won the MEAC titles in 1981 and 1982 for the seventh and eight times and reached the second round of the I-AA championships both years. Morgan grabbed the 1979 crown and represented the MEAC in the Division II championships. In addition to the NCAA postseason play, MEAC teams have appeared in nine NCAA-sanctioned bowl games. The National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL) sparkles with many former MEAC players.

Prior to the establishment of Division I-AA competition, the MEAC football champion played in the inaugural Gold Bowl held in Richmond, VA, which matched them against the champion of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). S.C. State represented the MEAC in 1977 & 1978, winning both outings over Winston Salem State and Norfolk State respectively.

The MEAC was also instrumental in constructing the Freedom Bowl All-Stat Classic and the Heritage Bowl. The Heritage Bowl matched teams from the MEAC against the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Participating teams have been N.C. A&T (1991), FAMU (1992, 1995), S.C. State (1993, 1994, 1997), Bethune- Cookman (1998) and Hampton (1999).

In men’s basketball, Howard won the 1981 MEAC Tournament and became the first MEAC team to play in the Division I Basketball Notional Tournament. MEAC runner-up N.C. A&T was then invited to play in the 1981 National Invitational Tournament. N.C. A&T started a string of seven consecutive NCAA appearances. In 1997 Coppin State became the first MEAC team to advance to the second round and Hampton matched that feat in 2001.
The 1981 NIT trip was N.C. A&T’s second, having participated in 1976. However, UMES had preceded the Aggies by reaching the NIT second round in 1974. Also in 1974, Morgan State made the biggest splash by winning the NCAA Division II National Championship. In 1991, the MEAC matched its 1981 feat by having two different teams in a national championship series, FAMU in the NCAA and Coppin State in the NIT. The league did it again in 1995 as N.C. A&AT went to the NCAA and Coppin State to the NIT.

In women’s basketball, S.C. State won the AIAW national championship in 1979. Howard became the first MEAC women’s team to participate in a NCAA Division I Tournament after winning the 1982 crown. S.C. State followed in 1983 with a first round victory, which made them the first MEAC team, men or women, to have a win in the prestigious event.

In soccer, Howard won the 1974 NCAA Division I National Championship. The Bison were selected to play in the NCAA playoffs seven times since 1971, and returned to the championship game in 1988.
Outdoor track and field has always been a competitive MEAC sport. NCCU won the first three conference titles and finished fourth in the 1974 NCAA Division I Championships. One of the NCCU stars, Larry Black, was a member of the 1972 Olympic 400 meter relay team that won the gold medal.
The MEAC has enjoyed NCAA automatic entries in baseball since 1994, softball since 1995, volleyball since 1994 and men and women’s tennis in 1998.

Goal
The MEAC faces the future with a great degree of confidence. Commissioner Thomas, the member institutions, Presidents and Chancellors, Faculty Representatives, Athletics Directors and Senior Women’s Administrators have vowed to cultivate and develop the highest athletic potential in their respective institutions. They will insist upon the pursuit of excellence and they will seek for their institutions the recognition and media exposure, which they so richly deserve.

Purpose
It is the purpose of the Conference to establish, organize and supervise intercollegiate athletics in a compact group of institutions of like high academic standards and of like co-curricular programs. The conference shall seek to cultivate and to develop the highest athletic potential of each member institution, by encourage the constant pursuit of excellence through concerted efforts of the entire membership.
The Conference proposes to accomplish this end by promoting mutual trust and friendly relation among members, by controlling athletic competition and keeping such competition within the bounds of sound education activity, by promoting clean sportsmanship and by developing public appreciation for the educational values that accrue form participation in intercollegiate athletics.

Conference Tenure
Bethune-Cookman (1979 to Present)
Coppin State (1985 to Present)
Delaware State (1970 to Present)
Florida A&M (1979 to Present)
Hampton (1995 to Present)
Howard (1970 to Present)
Maryland Eastern Shore (1970 to Present)
Morgan State (1970 to Present)
Norfolk State (1997 to Present)
North Carolina A&T (1970 to Present)
South Carolina State (1970 to Present)