Alabama A&M, North Carolina A&T face off in Orlando's MEAC/SWAC Challenge

TV: ESPN 11:45 AM ET

ORLANDO, Florida  -- If it were up to Alabama A&M coach James Spady, his first collegiate game as head coach would be played against anyone other than the man he'll see across the field from him on Sunday.

Spady spent three seasons as offensive coordinator under Rod Broadway at Grambling State from 2007-09, a brief encounter when you consider how long each has roamed the sidelines.

On Sunday Spady makes his debut with Alabama A&M on a national stage against Broadway and North Carolina A&T in a matchup of historically black colleges and universities. The 10th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge is scheduled for kickoff at 11:45 a.m. Sunday at UCF's Bright House Networks Stadium.

The significance of such a meeting is not lost on the career assistant of 22 years as Spady sets out to reignite a program that finished 4-8 in 2013 after back-to-back winning seasons.

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