What North Carolina A&T’s Move To The Big South Conference Means For Their Future
North Carolina A&T Wins Celebration Bowl
By: Tialena Evans
North Carolina A&T State University shook the FCS as they announced their move from the MEAC to the Big South conference. The Aggies will officially become Big South members on July 21, 2021.
This news was huge for the HBCU world and has sparked much conversation in the media, whether it be from the fans or the athletes. The HBCU culture is strong, and this move definitely adds a shift in that realm for the Aggies. The only other school in the Big South that shares that black culture with A&T is Hampton University, who left the MEAC to join the Big South back in 2018. Many traditions such as The Greatest Homecoming on Earth, or famously known as GHOE, the marching band system, and the Greek life won’t quite register the same with all of the other schools in the conference.
Another huge aspect of the culture is the rivalries. The atmosphere, passion and intensity showcased through the players and fans is like no other. The annual Aggie-Eagle classic, against N.C. Central, is a staple in A&T’s football and basketball season, and it just wouldn’t be the same without it. Now, while this doesn’t completely dismiss the possibility of the two teams seeing each other again in the future, it’s not set in stone. Since Hampton’s move to the Big South, they’ve played only one football game and four men’s basketball games against other MEAC schools, so the Aggie-Eagle rivalry could definitely die out if consistent games between them aren’t in the future schedules.
The Aggies were possibly on the brink of forming a new football rival in Florida A&M University, as they have been seen as another HBCU powerhouse on the field. The Aggies lost to FAMU this past football season in a close overtime game, with FAMU coming out on top with a deep bomb to the end zone. The Rattlers clinched consecutive wins over the Aggies, and although FAMU finished the season with the best record in the MEAC, they were ineligible to make it to the Celebration Bowl due to NCAA violations. This caused a stir in the MEAC and made FAMU believe they should have been crowned conference champions, which eventually drove them to print off newspapers and t-shirts declaring themselves as 2019 MEAC Champions...yikes!! Too bad the record books won’t support that claim.
Of course the biggest loss from this move is that A&T’s football team will no longer be able to participate in the Celebration Bowl, which is locked in for the MEAC vs. SWAC. The Aggies have informally claimed the name as the “Aggie Bowl” or “Aggie Invitational”, as they’ve come away as National Champions four out of five years, and won three back-to-back-to-back titles. Thousands of fans, students and alum dedicated themselves over the past 5 years to travel to Atlanta to showcase their Aggie Pride, and that soon comes to an unexpected end as the 2021-22 season will be their final year of eligibility.
Now while there are quite a few downsides to this move, it’s not necessarily the worst thing in the world. The Aggies have definitely made a name for themselves as consistent HBCU National Champions, and a top competitor in not only HBCU football, but also across other conferences within the FCS. Since the Celebration Bowl will no longer be an option for the Aggies to hold that HBCU national title, the NCAA FCS playoffs will have to suffice instead.
The Aggies were able to make it to the FCS playoffs in 2016, as that was the only year they didn’t make the Celebration Bowl. Since the induction of the bowl game, seven Big South teams have competed in the FCS playoffs, and the Aggies surely plan to join them in the 2021-22 season.
Photo credit: Kevin L. Dorsey
The Big South definitely provides the opportunity for them to play against tougher competition which makes the most sense as they are certainly exploring the possibility of moving up into the FBS. They are currently 3-3 against FBS teams over the last five years, and have had a player selected in each of the last 3 NFL drafts. The move out of the MEAC was the first step into that future move.
Despite all of the pros and cons of the Aggies conference move, they are in good hands as they just locked in a high esteemed football recruiting class, including four former ACC players. This includes Virginia Tech’s defensive back D.J. Crossen, Wake Forest’s running back Courtney McKinney, Virginia Tech’s defensive lineman Robert Porcher and Pittsburgh’s defensive back Mychale Salahuddin. Since all four players transferred from the FBS, they are eligible to play immediately in the 2020-21 season.
As the Aggies have ultimately made a move that sets them up for the success that they are seeking, their future seems bright and the road to the FBS is en route.
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