| MEAC/SWAC Challenge | |
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| Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge | |
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| Stadium | Center Parc Stadium |
| Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Previous stadiums |
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| Previous locations |
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| Operated | 2005–present |
| Conference tie-ins | Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) |
| Sponsors | |
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| Former names | |
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is an annual historically black college (HBCU) football game showcasing a team from each of the two NCAA Division I conferences made up entirely of HBCUs—the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).[a][6] The series began in 2005[7] and initially paired the defending conference champions,[8] although the selection process was broadened in 2007 to include non-champions as well. The series record currently stands at 11 wins for the MEAC to the SWAC's seven (along with a "no contest" game in 2016,[9] and a cancellation in 2020). The Challenge is televised nationally on ESPN and is owned by ESPN Events. It was historically associated with the Labor Day weekend, but starting in 2021 has instead taken place a week earlier during college football's Week 0.[4][7]
- ^ "MEAC/SWAC Challenge set". Baton Rouge Advocate (sec. D, p. 3). October 1, 2004.
- ^ Butler, Andreas (September 8, 2016). "Not one for the record books: The unfinished MEAC/SWAC Challenge will have no negative financial implications for the universities, conferences or ESPN". Daytona Times. Archived from the original on January 15, 2019.
- ^ a b "ESPN Announces 2006 MEAC / SWAC Challenge Game". onnidan.com. February 27, 2006. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ a b c "Tickets for the 2008 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney Go on Sale June 1". meacsports.com. 2008. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ a b "Matchups Announced for 2015 MEAC/SWAC Challenge". swac.org. March 16, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ MEAC/SWAC Challenge – ESPN Events. Archived 2016-06-25 at the Wayback Machine ESPN.
- ^ a b "MEAC/SWAC Challenge: About". meacswacchallenge.com. 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "State Capsules: Hampton vs. Grambling". Baton Rouge Advocate (sec. C, p. 16). September 2, 2006.
- ^ A'Leaka Brown (September 5, 2016). "MEAC/SWAC Challenge Ruled a 'No Contest'". thecampuschronicleasu.com. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
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