@@cdwilliams8066 This was done to protect A&T from a soon to be failing MEAC...FAMU and BC were going to leave anyway...we simply got out while the getting was good.
@@cdwilliams8066The MEAC may be in a death sprial due to underlying funding issues of (some) of the member institutions. UMES and Morgan had to sue their own general assembly. SC State was nearly shut down a few year ago. I've heard Bethune-Cookman has been on thin financial ice of late. A&T kept getting stronger, but everyone hasn't had the same fortune top-to-bottom as universities. I'm not happy about this, but I fully expect NCCU or NSU to follow A&T and Hampton in the near future.
Folks that are disagreeing with this, are not looking at the bigger picture... this move will perhaps bring in more revenue for the school in turn bring in those same recruits that would other wise go elswhere.. we want inclusion, then include yourself... you can still have hbcu pride without having to be in an all hbcu league... why isolate yourself?? Force your way onto the "table" and get your share of the revenue and recruits in turn making you better to compete with other schools... #chessNOTcheckers...🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
I definitely understand money wise because this is the only reason f they admit it or not. A&T whole roots are HBCU. This a slap in the face to the culture
greensboro real live like my 2nd home and since about 2015 wheen the streak started and the program got me recognition you could see lots being purchased by them all around the campus damn near all the way downtown fr. Its all money they earned it though it just sucks to end that wave of the hbcu culture. Im sure the alum will still be deep and the energy around the city on saturdays will hopefully still be electric because its like a movie full of culture
AS AN S.C. STATE FAN I HATE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING. OF THE TWO PROGRAMS THAT I HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED FOWARD TO GOING UP AGAINST FAMU AND N.C. A&T WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EVERY SEASON. NOW THAT ONE OF THE MEAC CHARTER MEMBERS IS LEAVING I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE AS A CONFERENCE GO FROM HERE. IT'S SAD TO SEE THEM GO, BUT I WISH THEM ALL THE BEST. GOD SPEED A&T AND SHOW 'EM WHAT HBCU FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT. NOW MAYBE MY BULLDOGS MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN THE MEAC! LOL!
Musty Martian there are 100 different (how’s), outside of historic reasons this is just a move. Just a lateral move, not a move up or to a better more competitive conference. We are leaving one fcs conference for another fcs conference, which is weaker and less competitive
@@pathwaycorporation7528 It's not a lateral move. It's a step up. Definitely better for the Aggies. Is it a risk, sure. But the pros outweigh the cons. More exposure, better competition, playoffs in football, money, etc you name it. To say it's a lateral move is laughable. I am glad they are taking a chance. Great opportunity for all involved. What does (A&T) stand for?
As a future student of North Carolina a&t I am now reconsidering this is the biggest mistake that A&T could ever make I tell everybody this all the time integration was the worst thing that ever happened to our hbcus and we need to learn how to work together and stop thinking about yourself Hampton and A&T you should not be looking to do what's in the best interest for just you but what's in the best interest of your brothers and North Carolina Central Morgan State Norfolk State South Carolina state and the rest of the meac as a whole this is not a good move we need to learn how to keep our money in the black community I hope you reconsider
Booooooo!!!!!! As a HBCU football fan, NC A&T should have followed FAMU and Bethune Cookman to the SWAC, not the Big South!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would A&T even want to go to a PWI conference??? 😡😡😡😡😡😡😠😔😔😔😔😞😡
I wonder how this will affect game attendance at home and away. I mean will folks really come out to see them play Campbell, Gardner Webb, Presbyterian for Christ sake🤣?! Big South has a smaller footprint so travel cost will go down. I guess time will tell.
I think as far as football a chance to compete in the fcs championship playoff games. Its different competition but the baseball and track teams will shine in the big south
@@The1Tonic I just hope it won't be a situation like with Tenn St. Beat up on the black schools but go missing when they get to conference play. I know everyone and their mother wants to go to A&T nowadays it seems so recruiting shouldn't be a problem. Hope it works out.
@@kevsnoop81 real talk. There's no going back to MEAC for now. So lets see what happens as far as attracting top recruits to Greensboro knowing they'll have a bigger stage to shine.
As an A&T alum, I sure hope that in this sports program move to a predominantly-Caucasian athletic conference (Big South) the Blue & Gold Marching Machine (BGMM) does not change nor compromise its Black music heritage format. However, I do hope that the BGMM can add some contemporary Jazz Funk music to its public profile (e.g. Incognito ("Step Aside')) along with maintaining the playing of old school R&B tunes. I want A&T to use this opportunity to showcase the musical high culture of African people to a diverse audience. Also, drop the Rap and any non-tasteful dance moves from show components ... low-quality stuff. In essence, in terms of musical score, just play an integration of old school R&B (e.g. Shalamar; Earth, Wind & Fire), contemporary Jazz, and occasional movie theme music (e.g. Skyfall) ... these musical styles and interpretations bring out the musical royalty and genius of Black people in the marching band arena. Perhaps, BGMM could even experiment with incorporating some marching xylophones and steel drums into the instrumentation structure. BGMM does a fantastic job on sound quality and arrangements, particularly on R&B ballad renditions, e.g. 'Spend the Night' (Isley Brothers feat. Ron Isley & Angela Winbush).
My school competed in the Big South. I'm not sure I'd say they are better than the MEAC athletically, but they probably are financially better. But, that doesn't make it a good fit. The environment is what make HBCUs special, and I'm wondering how the fans will feel attending away games at North Alabama, Monmouth and Kennesaw State.
You said a mouth full... these schools are financially better... that makes a big difference. A couple of MEAC schools with great football teams are having financial difficulties. Eventually MEAC is going to need to invite an unconventional school or drop from being a division I. Give it a few years.
Funky Panther I don’t think you can pull from them they are not division one schools. To be a division 1 school you need to offer a certain number of sports.
So in 2020, it is not the issue of the Best Black Talent choosing PWI's over HBCU's .....now you have whole athletic programs selling out to white conferences..... GTFOH! You should be in the habit of building your own MEAC ... for your own. (SMH)
There comes a point where you need to set up your game is you want to be a better player. While it is sad to see tradition change, but you have to evolve if you want top talent and growth. As the world is becoming more diverse, global, and challenging, you either adapt or die. I see this move as strategic towards being taken more seriously in the sports world.
@@pathwaycorporation7528 Hampton University. And no I am not saying that the Big South is more respected. From strategic standpoint, you need to look at partnerships that build your brand or profile to garner access to resources and connections. The MEAC has its place, but it has to sweeten the pot to have someone stay and to attract the athletes it wants to showcase. And just tweeting or visiting a sports is not going to cut it.
Small school like Elon left that shitty ass conference....who wants to go Campbell University for a game.....white AD probably pushed for this. They need us we dont need them. This will kill the MEAC. I wonder who is on the board and how many Aggies sit on it. Do u see they never notified any alumni before hand very convenient. Well get ready for the merger of UNCG and A&T. Since Jessie Helms white representatives wanted to get rid of all HBCUS. Class of 97.
Fredrick Lee have you seen our roster or seen our success in just the past seven years we’ve had plenty of exposure, we’ve beaten fbs squads as well as top five fcs squads we know we have the talent to compete in that arena, we now carry the torch for hbcu’s to show that you can come to a place like an A&T and be successful academically as well as athletically at black school in a Black conference and “for-fill” all your dreams!!
Wish they disband meac and swac... and hav those teams go to other conferences and chance at better revenue.. instead of having to play 25 road games in bball jus to make some money, and go 0-25 after... smh
@@raymondboney7985 tru but swac and meac always seemed to be at the bottom ratings wise... join where the money is at, so you can get those same recruits... #chessNOTcheckers...🤷🏾♂️
This should be a good thing.. swac and meac ALWAYS has the worst RPI EVERY YEAR.. shit has got to change.. you change leagues may get a chance to recruit better talent... in turn will hopefully bring wins... and wins will bring in the cash..
@@cdwilliams8066 its not really goin white, many ethnicities attend so called white schools... .. its goin where the money is... hbcus can still be proud without segregating themselves... think about it.. more schools make that jump to other conferences, potential for more revenue, better profile, in turn better recruiting may equal more opportunities.. so do u want evrey year swac and meac being the lowest rated every year?? Most swac and meac teams always scheduling 20 road games just to go 0-20... smh
@@cdwilliams8066 The SWAC and MEAC are far from Black excellence. Black excellence is competing against anyone including predominately White schools. What you are doing is supporting Black mediocrity with your views.
@@cdwilliams8066 how long has meac and swac been around?? FOR A LONG AZZ TIME!!! evrey year they are at the bottom... most 5 star athletes dont want to go there.. i kno its not all about sports, they are all great schools regardless, but sports can play a big part in the experience.. times hav changed.. its time to join where the money is so hbcus can compete and take share of that money as well...
@@cdwilliams8066 And, that's a great thing. They honor the past but they aren't shackled to the past. Go to most other HBCUs and all they talk about is the past.
@@cdwilliams8066 I have had the HBCU experience and I also work at an HBCU. With that said, most HBCU leaders are still talking about what we lost as a result of integration. But, the loss we took from integration occurred nearly 50 years ago now. It's time we move forward...because most Black folks have moved on and compare HBCUs to PWIs when they are looking at where they want to attend college. Dr. Martin is doing the right thing for A&T. A&T has seen unprecedented growth under his leadership academically and athletically. I have all the confidence that Dr. Martin has again made a well researched and correct decision with moving A&T out of the MEAC into the Big South.
Couldn’t agree more Booker’s Rebirth. The growth of the university has been breathtaking under Chancellor Martin. He was my dean, school of engineering, when I was at T and was the dean when McNair Hall was constructed. His vision is proven. I have the utmost confidence in his decision making. Leaving the MEAC is tough but the best move for the future of the athletics department.
@@raymondboney7985 Texas A&M left the Big 12. Yet, they'll still play their old rivals from that conference and will eventually play the University of Texas again. Athletics is a business but many of you all are taking this personally because you think A&T and Dr. Martin think too highly of themselves and that's why they went to a White conference. You should focus on what's a mutually beneficial business relationship and see the wisdom in playing a team like A&T who will attract crowds.
Aggie Nation, take a look at the stadium capacity for Big South football schools. Sure, we can get to the games, but we won’t get in. We have been hoodwinked. Next we’ll be told, watch the games on the Internet......really????
Every away team is allotted a certain amount of tickets for every game. We have already played a few Big south schools and had no problem packing out the stadium, if we continue our winning ways, expect this to happen on a consistent basis, especially when we play Hampton and maybe even Campbell
Big South Conference is on par with Georgia High School football. The average attendance between Big South Conference football teams is a little over 3,000. The attendance for many high school football games in Georgia easily exceeds 3,000. Since the Big South Conference schools are closer where will A&T band sit? There won’t be a game day experience. Big South stadiums are not constructed for our culture. As far as Hampton, they have always wanted to be us. Now we are listening to them. Give me a break!
I literally want to cry, this was one of my main reasons to be NCA&T ‘24 🤦🏽♀️
@@cdwilliams8066 This was done to protect A&T from a soon to be failing MEAC...FAMU and BC were going to leave anyway...we simply got out while the getting was good.
@@cdwilliams8066The MEAC may be in a death sprial due to underlying funding issues of (some) of the member institutions. UMES and Morgan had to sue their own general assembly. SC State was nearly shut down a few year ago. I've heard Bethune-Cookman has been on thin financial ice of late. A&T kept getting stronger, but everyone hasn't had the same fortune top-to-bottom as universities. I'm not happy about this, but I fully expect NCCU or NSU to follow A&T and Hampton in the near future.
@@zero5car667 Not true.
@@zero5car667 Not going to happen. The Big South is no better than the MEAC. A&T joining them saved that conference. This is not a move-up.
Honestly there athletes was way more talented than the rest of the meac especially the football team
Folks that are disagreeing with this, are not looking at the bigger picture... this move will perhaps bring in more revenue for the school in turn bring in those same recruits that would other wise go elswhere.. we want inclusion, then include yourself... you can still have hbcu pride without having to be in an all hbcu league... why isolate yourself?? Force your way onto the "table" and get your share of the revenue and recruits in turn making you better to compete with other schools...
#chessNOTcheckers...🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️
If the ultimate goal is an FBS move to join Costal Carolina and App St, then this is the move to make. If it's not then why leave the MEAC?
I definitely understand money wise because this is the only reason f they admit it or not. A&T whole roots are HBCU. This a slap in the face to the culture
greensboro real live like my 2nd home and since about 2015 wheen the streak started and the program got me recognition you could see lots being purchased by them all around the campus damn near all the way downtown fr. Its all money they earned it though it just sucks to end that wave of the hbcu culture. Im sure the alum will still be deep and the energy around the city on saturdays will hopefully still be electric because its like a movie full of culture
CD Williams 100% agree. It’s taking the roots away. It won’t be the same
AS AN S.C. STATE FAN I HATE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING. OF THE TWO PROGRAMS THAT I HAVE ALWAYS LOOKED FOWARD TO GOING UP AGAINST FAMU AND N.C. A&T WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EVERY SEASON. NOW THAT ONE OF THE MEAC CHARTER MEMBERS IS LEAVING I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE AS A CONFERENCE GO FROM HERE. IT'S SAD TO SEE THEM GO, BUT I WISH THEM ALL THE BEST. GOD SPEED A&T AND SHOW 'EM WHAT HBCU FOOTBALL IS ALL ABOUT. NOW MAYBE MY BULLDOGS MIGHT ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN THE MEAC! LOL!
Since NCAT is leaving the MEAC.... I hope the bull dogs win too once NCAT leave MEAC😝 But for NCAT last year at MEAC I hope they win.
Hey good luck to them ,maybe they'll draw even better talent. I can't hate that on them.
Heart Wrenching day in Aggie Land, this move is a slap in the face to everything we (A&T) stand for!!
How?
Musty Martian there are 100 different (how’s), outside of historic reasons this is just a move. Just a lateral move, not a move up or to a better more competitive conference. We are leaving one fcs conference for another fcs conference, which is weaker and less competitive
Musty Martian have you ever seen a big south matchup?.... it’s a terrible environment
@@pathwaycorporation7528 It's not a lateral move. It's a step up. Definitely better for the Aggies. Is it a risk, sure. But the pros outweigh the cons. More exposure, better competition, playoffs in football, money, etc you name it. To say it's a lateral move is laughable. I am glad they are taking a chance. Great opportunity for all involved. What does (A&T) stand for?
Musty Martian it’s obvious you have no clue, I’m done
As a future student of North Carolina a&t I am now reconsidering this is the biggest mistake that A&T could ever make I tell everybody this all the time integration was the worst thing that ever happened to our hbcus and we need to learn how to work together and stop thinking about yourself Hampton and A&T you should not be looking to do what's in the best interest for just you but what's in the best interest of your brothers and North Carolina Central Morgan State Norfolk State South Carolina state and the rest of the meac as a whole this is not a good move we need to learn how to keep our money in the black community I hope you reconsider
This is still tough to watch...
Booooooo!!!!!! As a HBCU football fan, NC A&T should have followed FAMU and Bethune Cookman to the SWAC, not the Big South!!!!!!!!!!!! Why would A&T even want to go to a PWI conference??? 😡😡😡😡😡😡😠😔😔😔😔😞😡
Always felt like this f****** North Carolina A&T!
I wonder how this will affect game attendance at home and away. I mean will folks really come out to see them play Campbell, Gardner Webb, Presbyterian for Christ sake🤣?! Big South has a smaller footprint so travel cost will go down. I guess time will tell.
I go to the games to watch T play football and listen to BGMM. I watched them play Elon and that’s one of my favorite games.
I think as far as football a chance to compete in the fcs championship playoff games. Its different competition but the baseball and track teams will shine in the big south
@@The1Tonic I just hope it won't be a situation like with Tenn St. Beat up on the black schools but go missing when they get to conference play. I know everyone and their mother wants to go to A&T nowadays it seems so recruiting shouldn't be a problem. Hope it works out.
@@kevsnoop81 real talk. There's no going back to MEAC for now. So lets see what happens as far as attracting top recruits to Greensboro knowing they'll have a bigger stage to shine.
Big South will get a dose of AGGIE PRIDE
As an A&T alum, I sure hope that in this sports program move to a predominantly-Caucasian athletic conference (Big South) the Blue & Gold Marching Machine (BGMM) does not change nor compromise its Black music heritage format. However, I do hope that the BGMM can add some contemporary Jazz Funk music to its public profile (e.g. Incognito ("Step Aside')) along with maintaining the playing of old school R&B tunes. I want A&T to use this opportunity to showcase the musical high culture of African people to a diverse audience. Also, drop the Rap and any non-tasteful dance moves from show components ... low-quality stuff. In essence, in terms of musical score, just play an integration of old school R&B (e.g. Shalamar; Earth, Wind & Fire), contemporary Jazz, and occasional movie theme music (e.g. Skyfall) ... these musical styles and interpretations bring out the musical royalty and genius of Black people in the marching band arena. Perhaps, BGMM could even experiment with incorporating some marching xylophones and steel drums into the instrumentation structure. BGMM does a fantastic job on sound quality and arrangements, particularly on R&B ballad renditions, e.g. 'Spend the Night' (Isley Brothers feat. Ron Isley & Angela Winbush).
Welp famu here I come..... big disappointment if A&T still gonna play teams in MEAC???
My school competed in the Big South. I'm not sure I'd say they are better than the MEAC athletically, but they probably are financially better. But, that doesn't make it a good fit. The environment is what make HBCUs special, and I'm wondering how the fans will feel attending away games at North Alabama, Monmouth and Kennesaw State.
You said a mouth full... these schools are financially better... that makes a big difference. A couple of MEAC schools with great football teams are having financial difficulties. Eventually MEAC is going to need to invite an unconventional school or drop from being a division I. Give it a few years.
Funky Panther I don’t think you can pull from them they are not division one schools. To be a division 1 school you need to offer a certain number of sports.
So in 2020, it is not the issue of the Best Black Talent choosing PWI's over HBCU's .....now you have whole athletic programs selling out to white conferences..... GTFOH! You should be in the habit of building your own MEAC ... for your own. (SMH)
There comes a point where you need to set up your game is you want to be a better player. While it is sad to see tradition change, but you have to evolve if you want top talent and growth. As the world is becoming more diverse, global, and challenging, you either adapt or die. I see this move as strategic towards being taken more seriously in the sports world.
Taken more seriously? ...You mean being accepted by white people.
Fredrick Lee where did you do undergrad?? Are you saying the big south is more respected and competitive than the MEAC?
@@pathwaycorporation7528 Hampton University. And no I am not saying that the Big South is more respected. From strategic standpoint, you need to look at partnerships that build your brand or profile to garner access to resources and connections. The MEAC has its place, but it has to sweeten the pot to have someone stay and to attract the athletes it wants to showcase. And just tweeting or visiting a sports is not going to cut it.
Small school like Elon left that shitty ass conference....who wants to go Campbell University for a game.....white AD probably pushed for this. They need us we dont need them. This will kill the MEAC. I wonder who is on the board and how many Aggies sit on it. Do u see they never notified any alumni before hand very convenient. Well get ready for the merger of UNCG and A&T. Since Jessie Helms white representatives wanted to get rid of all HBCUS. Class of 97.
Fredrick Lee have you seen our roster or seen our success in just the past seven years we’ve had plenty of exposure, we’ve beaten fbs squads as well as top five fcs squads we know we have the talent to compete in that arena, we now carry the torch for hbcu’s to show that you can come to a place like an A&T and be successful academically as well as athletically at black school in a Black conference and “for-fill” all your dreams!!
Wish they disband meac and swac... and hav those teams go to other conferences and chance at better revenue.. instead of having to play 25 road games in bball jus to make some money, and go 0-25 after... smh
Most smaller div. 1 schools play the larger schools for a paycheck. This is not just MEAC and SWAC.
@@raymondboney7985 tru but swac and meac always seemed to be at the bottom ratings wise... join where the money is at, so you can get those same recruits... #chessNOTcheckers...🤷🏾♂️
SWAC members, please don't abandon ship like this.
This should be a good thing.. swac and meac ALWAYS has the worst RPI EVERY YEAR.. shit has got to change.. you change leagues may get a chance to recruit better talent... in turn will hopefully bring wins... and wins will bring in the cash..
@@cdwilliams8066 its not really goin white, many ethnicities attend so called white schools... .. its goin where the money is... hbcus can still be proud without segregating themselves... think about it.. more schools make that jump to other conferences, potential for more revenue, better profile, in turn better recruiting may equal more opportunities.. so do u want evrey year swac and meac being the lowest rated every year?? Most swac and meac teams always scheduling 20 road games just to go 0-20... smh
@@cdwilliams8066 The SWAC and MEAC are far from Black excellence. Black excellence is competing against anyone including predominately White schools. What you are doing is supporting Black mediocrity with your views.
@@kamala80 facts
@@cdwilliams8066 how long has meac and swac been around?? FOR A LONG AZZ TIME!!! evrey year they are at the bottom... most 5 star athletes dont want to go there.. i kno its not all about sports, they are all great schools regardless, but sports can play a big part in the experience.. times hav changed.. its time to join where the money is so hbcus can compete and take share of that money as well...
They'll be back after they get tired of being a whipping bag They're not that caliber team.
VFiel who’s your team?
VFiel who’s better than a&t in that league?
How?? When they will be able to recruit better talent...
They already played some of the teams in the big south and won.
@@pathwaycorporation7528 Seattle Seahawks....LOL
Drs. Harvey and Martin are two of my role models. Great and visionary leaders.
@@cdwilliams8066 And, that's a great thing. They honor the past but they aren't shackled to the past. Go to most other HBCUs and all they talk about is the past.
@@cdwilliams8066 I have had the HBCU experience and I also work at an HBCU. With that said, most HBCU leaders are still talking about what we lost as a result of integration. But, the loss we took from integration occurred nearly 50 years ago now. It's time we move forward...because most Black folks have moved on and compare HBCUs to PWIs when they are looking at where they want to attend college. Dr. Martin is doing the right thing for A&T. A&T has seen unprecedented growth under his leadership academically and athletically. I have all the confidence that Dr. Martin has again made a well researched and correct decision with moving A&T out of the MEAC into the Big South.
Couldn’t agree more Booker’s Rebirth. The growth of the university has been breathtaking under Chancellor Martin. He was my dean, school of engineering, when I was at T and was the dean when McNair Hall was constructed. His vision is proven. I have the utmost confidence in his decision making. Leaving the MEAC is tough but the best move for the future of the athletics department.
@@kamala80 If Dr. Martian is doing the right thing by going to the Big South, why is he banking on continuing to play some MEAC schools?
@@raymondboney7985 Texas A&M left the Big 12. Yet, they'll still play their old rivals from that conference and will eventually play the University of Texas again. Athletics is a business but many of you all are taking this personally because you think A&T and Dr. Martin think too highly of themselves and that's why they went to a White conference. You should focus on what's a mutually beneficial business relationship and see the wisdom in playing a team like A&T who will attract crowds.
Aggie Nation, take a look at the stadium capacity for Big South football schools. Sure, we can get to the games, but we won’t get in. We have been hoodwinked. Next we’ll be told, watch the games on the Internet......really????
NCAT played a couple of teams from the big south already. I didn’t realize fans were not able to get into the stadium....
Every away team is allotted a certain amount of tickets for every game. We have already played a few Big south schools and had no problem packing out the stadium, if we continue our winning ways, expect this to happen on a consistent basis, especially when we play Hampton and maybe even Campbell
Big South Conference is on par with Georgia High School football. The average attendance between Big South Conference football teams is a little over 3,000. The attendance for many high school football games in Georgia easily exceeds 3,000. Since the Big South Conference schools are closer where will A&T band sit? There won’t be a game day experience. Big South stadiums are not constructed for our culture. As far as Hampton, they have always wanted to be us. Now we are listening to them. Give me a break!
Hate how he talks