General MEAC Media Relations

Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina A&T State Win 2017-18 All-Sports Awards

ALL-SPORTS TALLIES
 
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MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas, NCAT SWA Leslie Rowls, FAR Dr. Gwendolyn Highsmith-Quick, Athletic Director Earl Hilton III and MEAC Delegate Assembly President Carla Lester MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas, BCU FAR and MEAC Delegate Assembly President Carla Lester and BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Ahletics Lynn Thompson.
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MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas, DSU Interim Athletic Director Mary Hill and MEAC Delegate Assembly President Carla Lester. MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas, BCU FAR and MEAC Delegate Assembly President Carla Lester and BCU Vice President for Intercollegiate Ahletics Lynn Thompson


WASHINGTON, D.C., May 30, 2018--Bethune-Cookman University captured the Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award, while North Carolina A&T State captured the Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award, the conference announced on Wednesday.

The All-Sports Awards are indicators of the overall strength of the conference’s men’s and women’s athletic programs. Each institution was presented with a $20,000 check during a reception at the MGM National Harbor in Washington D.C. Wednesday evening.

“I would like to congratulate Bethune-Cookman University, including interim President Hubert Grimes, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lynn Thompson, and the administrators, coaches, student-athletes and support staff for winning the 2018 Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award,” said MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas. “I also extend congratulations to North Carolina A&T State University and Chancellor Dr. Harold Martin, Sr., Director of Athletics Earl Hilton III and all of the outstanding individuals, including staff, coaches and student-athletes who were involved in winning the Mary McLeod Bethune Award.”

Delaware State was recognized during the reception as the 2018 recipient of the MEAC Highest Graduation Success Rate (GSR). In addition to the recognition, DSU was presented a check for $25,000 from the conference.

DSU’s 83-percent GSR is the highest among MEAC institutions spanning the 2007-10 cohorts.

Bethune-Cookman was also honored academically, as the institution posted the MEAC’s highest academic program rate (APR) (974) over the past four academic years. The Department of Athletics received a $10,000 check for its efforts.

The Aggies totaled 93 points in the all-sports tally, highlighted by three MEAC Championships in indoor track & field, women’s basketball and bowling. North Carolina A&T State has made history, as this marks the first Mary McLeod Bethune Women’s All-Sports Award in school history.

Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M tied for second with 91 points, followed by Morgan State (80) and Norfolk State (77).

Totaling 91.8 points, Bethune-Cookman claimed its third Talmadge Layman Hill Men’s All-Sports Award overall and its first since winning back-to-back trophies in 2015 and 2016. B-CU had a successful season across the board, as the Wildcats finished no lower than third place in all eight of the MEAC’s men’s sports. The Wildcats captured a share of the MEAC basketball regular-season championship and notched second-place finishes in football, golf and outdoor track & field.

North Carolina A&T State finished second with 90.5 points as Florida A&M placed third with 76 points.

Points are awarded in a descending order beginning with 14 points for champions or first place regular season finishes. The second-place team receives 12 points. Tied teams split the point total.