The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the recommendation of VP/Athletic Director Kortne Gosha to resign membership from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) to accept membership into the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The Rattlers will maintain membership in the MEAC for the 2020 season.
The move was approved by SWAC member schools 10-0 Thursday afternoon. “While we have had a long-standing relationship competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Florida A&M’s impending move to the Southwestern Athletic Conference is one that is in the best interest of the University,” President Dr. Larry Robinson said. “The positive impacts on student-athletes, cost savings, re-establishment of long-term rivalries and opportunities to generate revenue are among the key factors in this decision.”
“Today is a defining moment in the history of Florida A&M University and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics,” VP/Director of Athletics Kortne Gosha said. “Our decision to explore this move to the SWAC was the result of exhaustive internal and external collaboration. I want to first thank President Dr. Larry Robinson for his leadership and unwavering support of athletics and our 329 student-athletes.
“I also want to thank our Board Chair Kelvin Lawson, our Board of Trustees, our National Alumni Association President, Colonel Greg Clark, FAMU Foundation Board Chair Jemal Gibson and Selvin Cobb of the Rattler Boosters for their support of this move. I firmly believe that we have collectively positioned FAMU to reach our ultimate potential and further enhance the student-athlete experience. We appreciate the leadership of Dr. Dennis Thomas as MEAC Commissioner and all that they have done for FAMU and Division I HBCU athletics. We hold dear the relationships with our MEAC peer institutions and we wish them continued success.”
