GIVEN PENDING DEPARTURES OF NC A&T & FAMU For the Week of June 16 - 22, 2020 MEAC concerned but still standing, Commish says By Lut Williams BCSP Editor "All of our presidents and chancellors are concerned. The burning questions on the minds of many ™ HBCU sports observers since Florida A&M But we also have a great group of presidents and University announced two weeks ago that it was chancellors that are veteran leaders on their individual leaving the Mid Eastern Athletic Conference campuses. We have implemented a strategy in terms of next season to join the Southwestern Athletic Conference are what is the MEAC going to do how we move forward as a conference. Part of that and how will it survive? strategy is to insure that we have a core group of MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis Thomas MEAC logos provided some answers Monday when he sat MEAC Commissioner institutions to insure that we will not lose : Strong, MEAC FUTURE? down for a wide-ranging interview via Zoom on STEADY committed institutions key Dr. Dennis Thomas our Div. I status." the B. L. O. C. K. Sports Show with host Michael AS SHE to conference remaining viable and relevant, says Jefferson and a trio of sports journalists. GOES commissioner. "Contrary to popular belief in some student/athletes because of those long trips and "That's a question I've been pondering circles, the MEAC's demise has been greatly a greater proximity to institutions in their new for over two decades now," said Thomas. "It's MEAC CHANGES ON HORIZON; JOYNER OUT AT NC exaggerated," said Thomas during the sit-down. conferences as determining factors in their nothing new. A&T; O'NEAL IN AT CLAFLIN; A DOUG WILLIAMS FILM? His comments were the first by a conference decisions. "If we got half of the black talent for football official since FAMU's announcement. "From the MEAC perspective, we have an and basketball (that used to attend HBCUs), FAMU's decision came on the heels of array of outstanding academic institutions still the MEAC and SWAC would be Power 5 North Carolina A&T University announcing in in our conference," said Thomas. "And, from conferences," he said he chides commissioners February that it would also leave the MEAC and maintaining our (NCAA) Div. I status, we can of those leagues. "Those are facts. Because, it's UNDER THE BANNER begin membership in the Big South Conference do that with seven members that meet the NCAA about whether you can compete at the elite level. WHAT'S GOING ON IN AND AROUND BLACK COLLEGE SPORTS in the 2021-2022 season. requirements. Obviously, when you look at these conferences It also follows two other former MEAC "Some people forget – given this microwave and their member institutions, there's a JAY JOYNER RESIGNS FROM NC A&T: members – Hampton University and Savannah mentality in our society," said Thomas, preponderance of black student/athletes in those EAST GREENSBORO – After months of uncertain- State University – leaving the conference "we were founded with seven members programs. ty, Jay Joyner has resigned as the head in 2017, Hampton to join the Big South and from Dover, Delaware to Orangeburg, South "So, it has to be a grass roots change in the men's basketball coach at North Caro- Savannah State dropping back to NCAA Carolina," referring to the league's creation in way we perceive what greatness is. It has to lina A&T, effective immediately. Div. II status and re-joining the Southern 1970. be by the parents . . . and I'm not talking about Joyner was indefinitely suspended Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). Thomas said the league expanding and specifically their high school coaches, but by by N. C. A&T Athletics Director Earl Going from 13 members to nine after the perhaps drawing new members is not an their elementary school coaches, their Pee Wee M. Hilton III in late December for 2020-21 season, just seven that play football, in overnight process. league coaches, their flag football coaches. an unspecified infraction. The Aggies the span of three years however has prompted "You can't waive a magic wand and people See, there's a disconnect that there is value in were 3-10 at that point after playing questions about the league's future. just come in. That's not the way it works in Div. attending HBCUs at the Div. I level. Joyner the bulk of their non-MEAC schedule. "All of our presidents and chancellors are I intercollegiate athletics. And that's not going to "We have over the decades seen people who Associate Will Jones took over as acting head concerned," Thomas explained."But we also happen with the MEAC." actually graduated from HBCUs and are doing coach and led the Aggies to a 14-5 finish including a 12-4 have a great group of presidents and chancellors He explained that the MEAC has been in exceptionally well as professionals . . . perceive mark and second-place in the MEAC. Jones was voted the that are veteran leaders on their individual the business of adding new members since he that going to a Power 5 institution is a much league's coach of the year. Jones is likely to have the in- campuses. took over the reins of the conference in 2001 and better perspective than going to an HBCU. So if terim title removed when the board of trustees meets this "We have implemented a strategy in terms before. you have parents and relatives who are products week. of how we move forward as a conference. Part Since its beginning, the conference has seen of HBCUs saying that they would prefer their Joyner took over the Aggies program on an interim of that strategy is to insure that we have a core the additions of Florida A&M and Bethune- sons or daughters attend those institutions, that's basis from Cy Alexander on Jan. 29, 2016 after serving group of institutions to insure that we will not Cookman, Coppin State, Hampton, Norfolk where the disconnect is." as an assistant since the 2012-13 season. He led the Ag- lose our Div. I status." State, Savannah State and Winston-Salem So Thomas says, "I'm not saying that gies to a 5-5 finish down the stretch including a 5-3 record To maintain Div. I standing, conferences State. North Carolina Central, Maryland- parents don't have a right to send their sons in the MEAC. Hilton named Joyner the permanent head have to have seven institutions that have been a Eastern Shore and Morgan State were original and daughters wherever they want to. But don't coach on March 6, 2016, making him the 10th head men's part of the conference for eight consecutive years members who withdrew and re-entered. complain as to why HBCUs aren't competitive basketball coach in the modern era (1952-present). and offer the right mix of sports, he explained. "Everyone that has left the MEAC gained when you send our best and our brightest to After struggling to a 4-28 overall record in his first "First and foremost, the world is not coming their prominence in the MEAC," said Thomas. other places." full season (2016-17), Joyner orchestrated one of the big- to an end," said Thomas. "I can assure the public "Those are facts. People increased their "We have to change the narrative and start gest turnarounds in NCAA history putting together a 20- that the MEAC obviously is disappointed that enrollment, increased their research funding and inculcating in those talented elementary school 15 overall mark in 2017-18 and an 11-5 MEAC record some member institutions decided to be a part of won championships. Greatness was had in the and middle school kids that there is value and good for second in the league. It was only the Aggies sec- other conferences. That's just the nature of what MEAC. that they will be taken care of by going to an ond 20-win season in the past 31 years. In the 2018-19 is. So, we wish them well. Obviously, we see "But we respect their decisions." HBCU. season Joyner finished 19-13 overall and 13-3 in MEAC things a bit differently." Thomas, who was a standout offensive "And we have to educate our parents, and play, also in second place. Hampton, N. C. A&T and FAMU each lineman at the SWAC's Alcorn State during his start this early on, that you need to consider an Joyner's teams were also very good at home going talked about the burdens of travelling from playing days in the early 1970s, also discussed HBCU not only for your athletic career but for 31-15 (.674) during his tenure. Joyner was 50-72 in three Delaware to Florida for athletic competition what it would take to bring 4- and 5-star athletes your education." full seasons and two abbreviated seasons at N.C. A&T. in the MEAC as well as loss of class time for back into the HBCU fold.

O'NEAL TO LEAD CLAFLIN ATHLETICS: Claflin University has chosen longtime Bethune- BCSP Notes Cookman athletics executive Tony After graduating from Alabama A&M with a bachelor's degree in O'Neal as its new Director of Intercol- Physical Education, Mathis was selected in the fifth round of the 2003 legiate Athletics. O'Neal will assume MATHIS: During NFL Draft by the , where he played 14 seasons while the role on July 1, 2020, succeeding his tenure with helping the franchise win XLI. Dr. Jerome Fitch, who announced his the Indianapolis During his NFL career, Mathis was a five-time Pro Bowl selection retirement after serving 11 years in the and was the 2013 AFC Defensive Player of the Year. position. Colts from 2003 Mathis retired as a player following the 2016 NFL season, finishing O'Neal has served at the senior to 2016. his career as the Colts' all-time sacks leader with 123. During his NFL ca- O'Neal administrative level of college athlet- reer, Mathis recorded 604 tackles, 52 forced , 17 recover- ics for more than two decades, including stints at Bet- ies and an . He finished his career ranked 17th in NFL history hune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, in sacks, and his 47 sack-forced fumbles are an NFL record. and Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia. He spent 17 years in the athletics department at B-CU. For the past five years, he served as the senior associate NFL and Black HOF to enter athletic director of facilities and strategic initiatives. In to host quarterback Coaching Summit between his time in Daytona Beach, O'Neal served as the Colts' Ring of Honor In partnership with the Black College Football Hall of Fame the NFL director of athletics at Savannah State. HUNTSVILLE — Robert Mathis is gaining another football acco- has announced that the third annual Quarterback Coaching Summit will O'Neal earned his bachelor's degree in social welfare lade. The former Alabama A&M and Southwestern Athletic Confer- take place virtually from June 22-23. at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and he ence standout linebacker who went on to a marvelous career with the NFL and NCAA assistant coaches will take part in the two-day pro- earned his master's degree in transformative leadership NFL's Indianapolis Colts is having his name added to the franchise's Ring gram to experience professional development and networking opportuni- from Bethune-Cookman. of Honor. ties with NFL club executives. The team announced on Monday the induction The Quarterback Coaching Summit is one of several NFL programs MOVIE COMING ABOUT DOUG WILLIAMS: ceremony will be held Nov. 22 when the Colts intended to build the coaching and personnel development pipeline and According to Deadline, the highly-successful Packer host the . Mathis will be the strengthen diversity across the league. In its third year, the program will Productions will be making a movie on 17th member of the Colts' Ring of Honor. feature sessions and panels led by NFL owners, current and former NFL the life of Doug Williams, the former Mathis, who starred at linebacker for Alabama coaches, and college football coaches including: Steelers President and Grambling and NFL star quarterback. A&M from 1999-2002, was inducted into the NFL Workplace Diversity Committee chair II, Williams who was the first black quar- Black College Football Hall of Fame earlier this President , offensive coordinator Eric Bi- terback to start and win a Super Bowl, year, and he was inducted into the Alabama A&M eniemy, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, with Washington at the end of the 1987 MATHIS Athletics Hall of Fame this past November. Robert Saleh, and Buffalo season. "From a fifth-round pick from a small college Bills assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. "As NFL players today raise to one of the most effective and feared defensive players in the NFL, Rob- "The Quarterback Summit brings together the brightest, most innova- Williams their voices around the fight for jus- ert Mathis was a centerpiece of the historic Colts teams of the last two tive and successful offensive minds from around the country," said Troy tice and equality, none stood taller than Doug Williams, decades," Colts owner said in a statement released by the team. Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. "From who proved once and for all that the notion of an Afri- "He was undersized and underrated, but he made up for it with a mo- professional development to networking to coaching best practices, this can American being ill equipped to play quarterback tor that wouldn't quit and a flawless technique that out matched the most summit should leave no doubt about the promising pipeline of champion- talented lineman in the league. And to watch him strip-sack the quarter- was nothing more than a fallacy," Packer told Deadline. ship play callers within the sport of football." back — which he did better and more than anyone in NFL history — was "Doug's inspirational story will positively impact fans of Sessions will focus on varying topics including building a coaching a thing of beauty. What's more, Robert has stayed connected to the Horse- all ages for years to come." staff, quarterback position fundamentals, and other best practices for ca- shoe and has helped guide and teach our next generation of players. We Packer's films include #1 box office openers Ride reer advancement. Attendees will also have an opportunity to hear from are so proud that his name and his Hall of Fame-worthy career will be Along 2, No Good Deed and Think Like a Man Too along and network with members of the NFL's Workplace Diversity Commit- celebrated and remembered in Indianapolis from this day forward." with The Wedding Ringer and Girls Trip. Girls Trip was tee. New this year, past NFL Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship During his collegiate football career, Mathis was a four-year starter the highest grossing live action comedy of 2017 and the participants were also invited to attend. from 1999-2002 on Alabama A&M's defense, where he emerged as one first film written, directed, produced, and starring African- "We are excited to continue this partnership with the National Foot- of the most-prominent pass rushers in SWAC history. In 39 games at Ala- ball League as qualified coaches and executives come together to advance Americans to gross over $100 million. bama A&M, Mathis recorded 221 tackles while setting a program records Williams was named MVP of the Super Bowl XXII their careers," said Doug Williams, former Grambling and NFL star with 44 sacks and 20 forced fumbles. quarterback and co-founder of the Black College Football Hall of Fame. win over the . He was a first-round pick As a senior in 2002, Mathis set a Division I-AA (now Football Cham- of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1978 and the NFL's only The 2019 Quarterback Coaching Summit was hosted at Morehouse pionship Subdivision) record with 20 sacks. That season, he also recorded College. In its first year, the Summit connected three dozen participants black starting quarterback while there. A salary dispute 58 tackles while setting an Alabama A&M record with 32 tackles for loss led him to join the upstart USFL. He came back to Wash- with NFL club coaches and executives to help identify and develop more while forcing 10 fumbles. diverse candidates for offensive coaching positions. The league will also ington and ended up making history. Mathis holds six Alabama A&M records: Career sacks (44); single- Now his story can be told to younger fans who might host virtual development programs for past and current Bill Walsh Diver- season sacks (32); single-game sacks (5); career tackles for loss (88.5); sity Coaching Fellowship and Nunn-Wooten Scouting Fellowship partici- not have watched his impact firsthand. single-season tackles for loss (32); single-game tackles for loss (8). pants.

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