NEW ORLEANS — During the 51st Annual Bayou Classic weekend, Southwestern Athletic Conference Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland told everyone the SWAC is stronger than ever. While speaking at Southern University’s Board of Supervisors meeting, McClelland said the conference distributed $28 million to member institutions in two years.
“So as we continue to grow and as we continue to build, we’re trying to integrate ourselves in every aspect of intercollegiate athletics,” McClelland said. “For the first time in over two decades, our Chairman of the Board, Dr. Quintin Ross, now sits on the division one NCAA Board of Directors, which means that every decision that comes through the NCAA, the SWAC, will have a vote.”
Also, McClelland addressed the House vs. NCAA settlement that has opened the NIL floodgates. Beginning in 2025, schools can pay up to about $22 million total to all of the athletes in their departments. Schools have begun raising money in order to meet the upcoming threshold. The University of Georgia began selling alcoholic beverages at Sanford Stadium. The University of Tennessee has implemented a 10% talent fee on all ticket sales. McClelland encouraged Southern University, and all SWAC member schools, to get creative in raising funds.
“That means that there’s got to be an influx of student athletes that are going to be looking for name, image and likeness payments,” McClelland said. “Where you normally would have to go to get Dodge sponsorship or Chrysler sponsorship, you can now do that directly.”
Possible ramifications of the NIL landscape at the FCS Level?
District Attorney Tony Clayton, the incoming chair of the Southern University Board of Supervisors effective January 1, commented, “I’ve often said we should be able to hire our student athletes. We make them part time employees. Make them sign a non compete clause. They won’t go anywhere.” While administrators and athletic directors seek to blunt the trauma caused to their teams by players entering the transfer portal, McClelland discussed why this idea is a non-starter.
“A lot of our student athletes, especially at the FCS level, receive financial aid as a part of their total compensation. Which, by definition, means that they can’t afford to go to school,” explained McClelland. “If they become employees, they’re going to have to pay taxes on that [compensation]. And if they pay taxes on that, the institution is going to have to pay the corresponding taxes. One of the unintended consequences that we’ve identified is, if they are employees, and they receive those dollars, it could negate their ability to be able to get the financial aid that you’re giving them via athletic scholarship.”
McClelland pledged he will help the SWAC member schools to have their avenues to raise funds in the new NIL landscape.
“Thank you, Commissioner McClelland, for articulating the good shape that the SWAC conference is in financially now,” said Shields. “But we’d be remiss to not identify you as the driving force and leadership of making that happen. I didn’t want you to walk away giving us that good news, and a little bit of bad news, without acknowledging that your presence as the Commissioner has been the difference maker.”
Southern wins the Bayou Classic
The Southern Jaguars defeated the Grambling State Tigers 24-14 to win the 51st Annual Bayou Classic. This victory is their third straight in the series. Chandler Whitfield was named MVP for a dominating offensive performance. Whitfield had five catches for 146 yards and a touchdown.
“Like Coach (Terrance) Graves said ‘It’s the state championship,’” Southern running back Kendric Rhymes said. “It’s for bragging rights, and it’s for recruitment and as you can see Southern is on top.”
The Jaguars will travel to Jackson, Mississippi and will face off against the Jackson State Tigers in this year’s SWAC Championship game. The game will be televised at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on ESPN. The winner will face South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday, December 14th inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Tuesday, the SWAC announced their postseason awards. Jackson State led the league with 11 selections, followed by Alabama State (8), Florida A&M (7), Alabama A&M (6), Alcorn State (6), Bethune-Cookman (4), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3), Grambling State (2), Texas Southern (2), Prairie View A&M (1), Southern (1) and Mississippi Valley State (1). Notable selections are listed below:
Coach of the Year
T.C. Taylor, Jackson State
Offensive Player of the Year
Irv Mulligan, Jackson State
Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Ckelby Givens, Southern
Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Andrew Jones, Grambling State
Newcomer of the Year
Daniel Richardson, Florida A&M
Freshman of the Year
Travis Terrell Jr., Jackson State
