Football | 6/10/2026 10:00:00 AM

NORFOLK, Va. -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is proud to announce that its 2026 Football Media Day will return to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the National Football League's (NFL) Baltimore Ravens, on Tuesday, July 21. This year's event will feature The Pivot, the acclaimed sports podcast hosted by former NFL standouts Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, bringing one of the nation's most influential sports media platforms to the conference's marquee preseason event.

Returning to M&T Bank Stadium for the second consecutive year, the MEAC will showcase its premier football programs on one of the sport's biggest stages. The event will spotlight the conference's student-athletes and head coaches, while providing a preview of the upcoming season. It also reflects the MEAC's continued partnership with the NFL, a relationship that has created valuable opportunities and increased visibility for the conference and its member institutions.

"It is a tremendous honor to return to M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens once again this year, and to be joined by The Pivot as part of this year’s Media Day,” said MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Sashi Brown for granting us this opportunity to showcase the MEAC on such a remarkable stage, and to The Pivot for their partnership and involvement in this year’s event. This partnership amplifies the longstanding relationship between the NFL and our HBCU conferences, and I look forward to its continued growth for years to come."

“We are honored to host the MEAC Football Media Day at M&T Bank Stadium for the second consecutive year,” said Ravens President Sashi Brown. “A cornerstone of Black collegiate athletics, the MEAC's eight HBCU programs represent their communities with outstanding pride, excellence and purpose — both on the field and in the classroom."

"MEAC Football Media Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the student-athletes, coaches, and institutions that continue to shape the game of football while preparing young people for success in life,” said Troy Vincent, Sr. Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations. “As we look ahead to another season, we celebrate the power of football to bring people together, create opportunity, and inspire the next generation."
 
Head coaches and select student-athletes from each MEAC football program will take center stage, providing media with exclusive access to the voices, storylines and season outlooks that will define the 2026 MEAC football season.

The defending MEAC champion South Carolina State enters the 2026 season as the conference’s standard-bearer under head coach Chennis Berry. The Bulldogs return after capturing back-to-back MEAC championships and capping last season with a thrilling 40-38 victory over Prairie View A&M in the Celebration Bowl, further cementing their place atop HBCU football.

One of the most intriguing storylines belongs to Delaware State, where head coach DeSean Jackson enters his second season leading the Hornets. After posting a 4-1 conference record in his first year at the helm, Jackson and Delaware State enter 2026 with growing momentum and heightened expectations. The Hornets will look to build on last season’s success and take the next step toward reestablishing themselves as a MEAC championship contender.

North Carolina Central enters the season with a new-look roster following the departure of 2025 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year Walker Harris. While the Eagles may look different this season on the field, the championship standard established by head coach Trei Oliver remains firmly in place as NCCU aims to remain among the conference’s top programs.

At Howard, a new era begins as Bison great Ted White returns to lead the program. White will look to guide Howard back to the top of the MEAC, where the Bison last claimed a conference championship in 2023.

Morgan State also looks to reenter the championship conversation in 2026. The Bears are seeking to end a conference title drought that dates back to their last MEAC championship in 2014.

Meanwhile, Norfolk State continues to rebuild under head coach Michael Vick. Entering his second season at the helm, Vick will look to build upon the foundation established during his first year and throughout spring practice as the Spartans enter 2026 with a revamped roster and renewed aspirations of returning to MEAC championship contention.
 
The 2026 MEAC football season officially kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 29, with the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta. The matchup between Howard University and Alabama A&M University will air live on ABC at 7:30 p.m. ET.
 
For more information, please contact the conference’s Strategic Communications Team:

Primary Contact: Isaiah Green
Email:  greeni@themeac.com

Secondary Contact: Kylon Lewis
Email:  lewisk@themeac.com