Cameron Houchen

JAC 310

Professor Dawkins

MEAC

Are the Pirates Sailing to Another Conference?

Recently I was made aware of the fact that there was an alleged

conversation about conference shakeup that included Hampton

University President William R Harvey. Hampton University is a

member of the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference. They joined the

conference in 1995. Since joining the MEAC Hampton has had plenty

of success in athletics winning 84 total MEAC Championships. The

Pirates have asserted there dominance in Track and Field with 32 total

MEAC Championships between the men and lady Pirates. The Pirates

Football team has won 5 MEAC Championships (97,98,04,05,06). The

Mens Basketball Team is the reigning MEAC Tournament Champions

have won 5 MEAC Championships (01,02,06,11,15). The Lady Pirates

have made themselves known in the MEAC as they contend for the

conference almost every season, they have won a total of 8 MEAC

Championships (00,03,04,10,11,12,13,14).

I wasnt shocked when I heard that there were possible talks about

possible conference shakeup, but what did get my attention was what

conference was on their radar. I spoke with Hampton University

Athletic Director Eugene Marshall Jr. He did confirm there were talks

about leaving the conference. Thats expected in this day and age,

teams are jumping from conference to conference now. He confirmed

to me that Hampton is staying put in the MEAC. But thats just for now.

Nobody knows what conference they will be a member of in 15 years.

Every March when the NCAA Tournament brackets are released the

MEACS Automatic Bid receives a 16th seed. In 2001 Hampton

University went into the NCAA Tournament as the 15th seed which was

an accomplishment itself. They were facing the 2nd seed Iowa State

Cyclones. Hampton pulled off a memorable 58-57 win over the 2nd

seed Cyclones. Over the past decade it has become more common for

the 15th seed to beat the 2nd seed. However the 16th seed has never

beat a 1st seed in the tournament. Two years ago NCCU (North Carolina

Central University) earned a 14th seed in the NCAA Tournament. The

Eagles went 28-5 and 15-1 in MEAC play. With notable wins NC State,

Old Dominion, and a single digit loss to at the time the undefeated

Wichita State. They dominated MEAC play buy winning 18 of the 19

conference games including post season. This past year Hampton

University who struggled mightily last year at 17-18, played their best

ball of the year and won the conference tournament and took the

MEACs automatic bid. That When I asked what would keep Hampton

University a member of the MEAC, he said If the MEAC can continue to

keep Hampton Athletics within the realm of the standard of excellence

that we aspire at Hampton University, we will stay says Marshall.

Hampton University is well known for their prestigious academics more

so than their athletes. At Hampton we are held to the Standard of

Excellence, there is an expectation to do great and succeed and that

applies academically and athletically. When it comes to what

conferences schools want to be a member of, its all about the best fit.

What schools have the same values and goals as we have? You want

to go somewhere that you fit in Where will Hampton University fit

athletically and where will Hampton University fit academically says

Marshall.

When we discussed the state of the MEAC, Some schools arent

competing at the same level as we are, says Marshall. However he

was confident in the direction of the MEAC and made sure to state that

Hampton has no plans to leave the conference. At the end of the day

we have to make the decision thats best for Hampton University said

Marshall. There are high hopes and excitement at your Home By the

Sea as fall sports are coming to a close, winter sports are approaching

our front door, make sure you support your 2015 MEAC Mens

Basketball Champions Hampton Pirates, along with the Lady Pirates as

the season is coming up.