This would solve the Baseball problem for the MEAC while opening another at large bid for the NCAA tournament field

Would make it a 12 team league..

That was nice of them.

(06-23-2022 10:15 PM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  That was nice of them.

Technically the NEC would have been short on playoff-qualifying members in baseball, albeit just for one season until Merrimack becomes a full D1 member, but this solves that.

They must be confident that a) Howard is in for the long term, b) a football playing member is on deck or c) the conference dies with the next defection

I wouldn't be surprised if this happens in men's golf as well, where the MEAC is at 3 and the NEC is at 5.

Cross posting due to relevance to MEAC/NEC cooperation

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Another article about Howard decision to not move to CAA or NEC

References other outreach to MEAC schools

https://hbcugameday.com/2022/06/23/why-h...-the-meac/

(06-24-2022 12:05 AM)Cyniclone Wrote:  They must be confident that a) Howard is in for the long term, b) a football playing member is on deck or c) the conference dies with the next defection

The HBCU Gameday article didn't really indicate any expansion was on the horizon. It sounds like they are just going to give it a try with the bare minimum they have now. As long as everyone stays committed, the will have what they need. With a tighter geographic footprint, a renewed unity, and a cultural desire to see HBCU's succeed, they may just be able to pull if off.

This is now official for baseball and men's and women's golf. https://northeastconference.org/news/202..._2223.aspx

The NEC is now housing every possible associate in the MEAC except South Carolina State and Delaware State women's soccer (independents) and Delaware State women's lacrosse (ASUN).