MEAC chooses bowl deal over FCS playoffs

Photo courtesy of: MEAC Media Relations

NORFOLK, Virginia -- A MEAC football championship no longer means getting a shot at a national title, but it does mean a unique experience for the winning team.

Beginning this fall, instead of moving into the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the MEAC champion will play the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion in the newly created Celebration Bowl at Atlanta's Georgia Dome, the leagues announced Wednesday.

The conferences signed a six-year agreement to play in the bowl game, matching opponents from two HBCU schools, beginning Dec. 19. It will be broadcast on one of ESPN's outlets.

MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas said the game will create additional exposure for the league and allow FCS players an experience they wouldn't otherwise have.

"It's an exciting time," Thomas said. "It gives us another platform. As you know, most FBS teams want to play in a bowl game. Even though we are FCS teams, we have an opportunity now to play in a postseason bowl game, and we think that is absolutely great."

The champion will not have the option of competing in the playoffs, but other MEAC teams with a resume good enough can accept at-large bids to the FCS postseason.

Norfolk State officials say they voted in favor of the bowl.

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