MEAC Announces Formation of MEAC Nation Association
NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has announced the founding and formation of the MEAC Nation Association, an organization that will work with the conference and its member institutions to support the league’s programs and events.
“The creation of the MEAC Nation Association marks a pivotal point in our conference’s history,” MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills said. “To be able to engage so many constituencies among our membership – both current and former – to tell the MEAC’s story and use that connection to grow not just the conference, but our member institutions, is vital. Students, alumni, potential donors, supporters … to have them all pulling in the same direction under the MEAC Nation banner will benefit the entire conference, as well as our institutions.”
“Having seen Norfolk State’s transition to the MEAC many years ago, I’ve seen the conference’s growth and continued efforts to remain viable,” MEAC Nation Interim Chairman and Norfolk State alum Cliff Watkins said. “I am proud to be on the ground level of MEAC Nation to continue building and bringing to fruition Commissioner Stills’ vision. MEAC Nation will reinforce the continuity of the conference while serving as an ambassador to other leagues.”
The MEAC Nation Association will endeavor to create opportunities for engagement with a variety of audiences and markets — including fans, alumni representatives of current and former member institutions (to include Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Hampton, North Carolina A&T State, and Savannah State), agencies, potential donors, and supporters as it seeks to further the brand, reach and impact of the MEAC and its constituents.
Through this network, MEAC Nation will develop initiatives that will be the catalyst for the creation of special events and campaigns to fund special scholarships and grants to assist in the empowerment of those individuals seeking to further their education through both traditional and non-traditional avenues, and in other cases to assist organizations in communities associated with the MEAC to implement the programs needed to enhance their communities.
MEAC Nation will also assist the conference office and member institutions in content creation, disseminating the narrative, and sharing stories emanating from the campus level.
Through its diversity of membership, MEAC Nation will also work closely with each institution’s alumni association to increase membership for both MEAC Nation and the respective alumni groups; share best practices, and effectively communicate that MEAC Nation is not in competition with each institution’s alumni association, but is to be used as a tool to enhance alumni relations and support.
To learn more about MEAC Nation and to join, click here.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 51st year of intercollegiate competition with the 2021-22 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically Black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, and South Carolina State University.