Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is a collegiate athletic conference consisting of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Southern United States. The conference was founded in 1913 by Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Talladega College, Tuskegee University, and Clark Atlanta University. The conference is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes at the NCAA Division II level, with member schools also participating in the NCAA Division I National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

● History

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was established in 1913, with the goal of promoting athletic competition and sportsmanship among HBCUs in the Southern United States. The conference has a rich history, with notable events including the Tuskegee University-Alabama State University football rivalry, which dates back to 1924, and the Clark Atlanta University-Morehouse College basketball rivalry, which began in 1927. The conference has also produced notable athletes, such as Wilma Rudolph, who competed for Tennessee State University and went on to win three Olympic Games gold medals, and Deacon Jones, who played football for Mississippi Valley State University and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Other notable HBCUs that have been part of the conference include Florida A&M University, Bethune-Cookman University, and North Carolina A&T State University.

● Member Schools

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference currently consists of 15 member schools, including Alabama State University, Alabama A&M University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Paine College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University. These schools are located in the Southern United States, with the majority being located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Other HBCUs that have been affiliated with the conference include Jackson State University, Grambling State University, and Prairie View A&M University.

● Championships

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference sponsors championships in 13 sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, track and field, cross country, golf, and soccer. The conference has produced several national champions, including the Tuskegee University football team, which won the NAIA National Championship in 2014, and the Alabama State University men's basketball team, which won the NCAA Division II national championship in 2011. Other notable championships include the SWAC Championship Game, the MEAC Championship Game, and the CIAA Championship Game.

● Sports

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference sponsors a variety of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, track and field, cross country, golf, and soccer. The conference has a strong tradition of producing talented athletes, with many going on to compete at the NCAA Division I level and beyond. Notable athletes who have competed in the conference include Michael Strahan, who played football for Texas Southern University and went on to play in the National Football League (NFL), and Steve McNair, who played football for Alcorn State University and was a Heisman Trophy finalist. Other notable sports programs in the conference include the Florida A&M University Marching 100 and the Grambling State University Tigers.

● Organization and Governance

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference is governed by a council of presidents from its member schools, with the conference office located in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes at the NCAA Division II level. The conference also has partnerships with other organizations, including the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The conference is led by a commissioner, who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the conference and ensuring compliance with NCAA regulations. Notable commissioners include Charlie Neal, who previously served as the commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), and Dennis Thomas, who previously served as the commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).