The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced the addition of North Carolina Central University to the conference as its 13th member, as voted on by the conference's Council of Chief Executive Officers (CCEOs), effective July 1, 2010.
"I am elated to have such an outstanding academic institution as North Carolina Central to return to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference," said MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. "I would like to commend Chancellor Nelms, Dr. Wicker-McCree, and the entire NCCU family for all their continued hard work as they make the transition from Division II to Division I."
Commissioner Thomas added, "The addition of NCCU keeps us in compliance with our long range strategic plan of adding up to 14 members. NCCU is a perfect fit for the MEAC."
NCCU is in the third year of its reclassification from NCAA Division II to Division I.
NCCU is one of seven founding member institutions of the MEAC. The Eagles withdrew from the conference in 1979, opting to remain a Division II member when the conference reclassified to Division I. From 1979-2007, NCCU competed in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
"This is a significant milestone in North Carolina Central University's transition to Division I," said NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms. "Membership in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a win-win proposition for our student-athletes, alumni and fans -- indeed, all our university constituents."
"This is wonderful news for North Carolina Central University, but most importantly for our student-athletes, coaches and fans," said NCCU Director of Athletics, Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree. "The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is a fantastic conference with highly competitive academic and athletic institutions. For NCCU to return to the MEAC and be part of its rich history is a tremendous step for our athletics program. We now have a place to call home."
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference:
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 40th year of operation heading into the 2009-2010 academic school year. Housed in the Armada Hoffler Tower at Town Center of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the MEAC is made up of 12 outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, South Carolina State University and Winston-Salem State University.
History-
In 1969, a bold ad hoc group of innovators long associated with intercollegiate athletics met in Durham, N.C., to discuss the feasibility of organizing a new conference. Dissected from these discussions, a steering and planning committee was formed to fully investigate the idea, present a detailed report with recommendations to interested collegiate institutions, and then construct a workshop to outline proposals.
After adopting a program, seven institutions (Delaware State College, 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. Its major objective was to establish, organize and supervise an intercollegiate athletic program among a compact group of educational institutions of high academic standards and with a sound philosophy of co-curricular activities. The league agreed to seek Division I status for its sports.
The conference was confirmed in 1970, kicking off its first season of competition in football in 1971.
The conference sponsors 15 sports and currently 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).
About North Carolina Central University:
The addition of North Carolina Central University marks the second expansion for the MEAC since 2007, when Winston-Salem State became the 12th member of the conference. Prior to Winston-Salem State, the MEAC expanded in the 90's with the inclusion of Norfolk State in 1997 and Hampton in 1995. NCCU becomes the third MEAC institution located in the state of North Carolina and the fourth in the Carolinas, joining WSSU, North Carolina A&T State (Greensboro), and South Carolina State (Orangeburg).
North Carolina Central University is celebrating its Centennial (1910-2010).
North Carolina Central University began the reclassification membership process in 2006-07. They have just completed year two and will be an active Division I member in 2011-12.
North Carolina Central University is the first publicly supported liberal arts college for African-Americans and this year, U.S. News & World Report ranked NCCU among the top ten HBCUs in the country.
As NCCU celebrates its Centennial Year, a diverse student body of more than 8,500 students is enrolled in programs such as law, business, library science, nursing, education, and biotechnology.
North Carolina Central University sponsors 14 varsity intercollegiate sports.
North Carolina Central University's athletics programs have enjoyed regional and national recognition for years. Fourteen men's and women's sports teams participate in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition at the Division I level (Football Championship Subdivision).
The 1989 men's basketball team won the NCAA Division II Men's National Championship. Other men's intercollegiate teams include football, indoor and outdoor track, tennis, baseball, golf and cross country. Women's intercollegiate teams include basketball, volleyball, indoor and outdoor track, tennis, softball, bowling and cross country.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Monday, September 14th 2009 at 12:23AM
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