The fourth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge is set for Aug. 31 and, for the first time, the football game won’t be held at Legion Field.

The game is moving to Orlando but the move was not unexpected because, from the birth of the event that is owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television, the plan was to hold the game on a rotating basis in the footprint of each of the two historically black college conferences.

Along with leaving SWAC country, the game also picked up Walt Disney Resort as presenting sponsor for the three-year deal.

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Defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Jackson State will play Hampton University from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in a 1 p.m. game that is set to be televised on ESPN2 from the Florida Citrus Bowl.

“The original intent was to move the game on a yearly basis,” said Chris Turner, ESPN senior director of programming and events. “It became the consensus between us and the MEAC and SWAC that we probably couldn’t launch and build the brand by doing that.

“We had a real willing partner in the City of Birmingham and Jefferson County, so we went to the MEAC and said let’s make this a three-year deal in Birmingham.

“Everything was outstanding in Birmingham. We were able to launch a successful event that would not be in existence if not for the support of the Birmingham community. We were able to grow and shape this event in such a wonderful way because of our relationship, the hospitality - if you want to use that word - of Birmingham.”

Turner said the network and conferences looked at other sites before picking Orlando.

“We obviously committed to Commissioner (Dennis E.) Thomas that we would move to the MEAC side,” Turner said. “Before we landed in Orlando, we looked very, very hard. Frankly, there’s no better city to host an event such as the MEAC/SWAC Challenge than Atlanta when you look at HBCUs and their numbers of alumni.

“Certainly, Disney plays a role in that it’s Disney and Orlando is a wonderful destination. Our plan has been to provide a bowl-like experience for two institutions that wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience that type trip.”

MEAC/SWAC Challenge rotates away from Legion Field
Mike Perrin, Birmingham News