MEAC Title IX 50th Anniversary Page


Thursday, June 23 marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX's passage, and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) continues to celebrate this landmark legislation's passage, and the opportunities it has provided for student-athletes, coaches and administrators at our member instititions -- past and present -- as well as in the conference office itself.

Sonja Stills took over as commissioner on Jan. 1, 2022, becoming the first female commissioner in the conference's history.

She is also the first female commissioner of a Div. I HBCU conference.

In her first six months as commissioner, Stills has overseen the 2022 MEAC Basketball Tournament (the first to return to full capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic), while also overseeing the formation of the MEAC Nation Association and a new broadcast partnership with HBCUGo.TV -- one which has already seen the live streaming of the semifinal and championship rounds of both the MEAC Tennis Championships and the MEAC Baseball Championship.

On Thursday, Stills will be in Washington, D.C., to serve as a panelist for 50 Years of Title IX in College Sports: Celebrating the History and Impact of Title IX and Discussing a Vision for the Future, sponsored by the Congressional offices of Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.), Rep. Susie Lee (D-Nev.) and Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio).

With a proven track record of accountability, efficiency, and passion, Stills has risen through the ranks within the MEAC, beginning with her tenure at the conference in October 2002. Stills has made a name for herself among her peers and other industry professionals for her never-ending dedication to the conference and its student-athletes, ability to grow and innovate, organization, team-first mentality, and goal-achieving initiative.
 
In January 2021, Stills was promoted to Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer of the MEAC. In her new role, she ensures that the Commissioner is carrying out the strategic objectives of the Council of Chief Executive Officers and the Delegate Assembly. Stills remains the lead on all hiring, strategic and long-range planning, re-branding, and marketing, NCAA Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), conference budget, the renewal of the MEAC Basketball Tournament with the City of Norfolk, and all special events and activities. 
 
Stills also served as the Director of Esports, a new, cutting-edge initiative that began in the summer of 2020, as the conference and world continued to deal with the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. She took charge in this new position, serving as the key driver in developing regulations for the MEAC Esports Community and developing the MEAC’s esports strategy. Her goal is to enhance awareness of the MEAC’s esports initiative by working with industry business leaders to encourage growth. 
 
Much like overseeing the addition of esports to the MEAC’s portfolio, Stills looks to enter a new tenure for the conference while continuing to bolster the respect, traditions, and love of the MEAC. She looks to deepen the communication with the member institutions, alumni, fans, and community, to express the strong desire and support for the success and sustainability of the Conference that transparently articulates its vision and strategy. The intention is to create a collaborative process in which the “new vision” for the MEAC is a shared vision that is all inclusive athletically and academically.  
 
Before her most recent appointments, Stills served as the Senior Associate Commissioner for Administration and Compliance (June 2012-21), Assistant Commissioner for Administration and Compliance (July 2008-12), Executive Assistant to the Commissioner (July 2006-08), Senior Woman Administrator (June 2006-Present) and Director of Compliance (October 2002-08).

A 1993 graduate of Old Dominion University, Stills earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Services Counseling. While a student, she earned the Virginia Campus Outreach Opportunity League (VA COOL) Catalyst Award for creating a week-long community outreach program for the university. In addition, she served on the university’s President’s Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Diversity.

In 1996, Stills received a Master of Arts in Counseling (College Student Work Personnel) from Hampton University. She would later go on to graduate from the Sports Management Institute in 2002 and the NACWAA/HERS Institute for Administrative Advancement in 2008.