(04-13-2017 08:26 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  Back when the whole prop 48 thing was being debated the SWAC and MEAC were strong opponents because they argued it interfered with their academic mission serving students who had impaired academic backgrounds and argued that the testing was racially biased.

I really thought at the time that if they believed it was interfering with their mission that they should have considered NAIA membership where the eligibility standards would be consistent with their admission practices.

The ego factor of being Division I results in schools aligning in ways that don't fit who they are as an institution.

Ego factor or not, but the HBCUs have been think of as being not as equals to the other universities which is why they are struggling. Tennessee State might be the only one doing all right not being in an HBCU conference. I think Florida A&M wanted to shed the HBCU image to join the Sun Belt, but backed out.
Alabama State wants to go to FBS as well and tried to talk to the SBC to let them in, but with South Alabama and Troy in the conference, they will not be let in. The only HBCUs that I could see be let in are Jackson State, Tennessee State, Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman since they do not have a presence in those states.
Jackson State could fill the Mississippi hole in the SBC. Plus, Jackson State is not really considered a HBCU anymore with them enrolling white kids. They might become another Ole Miss. school with a mix race population.