Dr. Dennis Thomas, the former commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), tirelessly advocated for the creation of a postseason bowl game specifically for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for a decade. While the MEAC had successfully hosted a season-opening match known as the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) since 2005, Thomas envisioned a more prestigious contest featuring the best teams from both conferences.
The resistance he faced was daunting, as MEAC officials consistently declined to relinquish their automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs, which hampered the prospect of a dedicated bowl game. “Every year, I would bring it up, and they would say no,” Thomas recalled, recounting the frustrations of convincing athletic directors who were uninterested in his proposal.
However, that all changed during a pivotal MEAC meeting in 2015, where a close vote finally approved sending the conference champion to a new HBCU postseason bowl game, the Celebration Bowl. Scheduled for this Saturday at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the game will see MEAC champion South Carolina State (9-3) face off against SWAC champion Prairie View A&M (10-3). This year’s matchup marks the 10th edition of the Celebration Bowl, establishing it as the longest-running postseason game for HBCUs, despite the cancellation of the 2020 game due to the pandemic.
The significance of reaching this decade milestone highlights a remarkable journey of growth and stability for the Celebration Bowl, confirming Thomas’s vision. Historically, the game has attracted sizable crowds, with attendance peaking at nearly 50,000 last year when North Carolina Central triumphed over Jackson State.
The success of the Celebration Bowl is attributed to Thomas’s unwavering dedication, collaboration with the SWAC, and crucial support from ESPN. John T. Grant, the executive director of the bowl, encapsulates its importance, stating, “We’re giving the country an HBCU Super Bowl.”
The groundwork for the Celebration Bowl was laid not only with support from ESPN but through Thomas’s efforts to engage key figures, including then-ESPN president John Skipper. His backing proved pivotal in securing the necessary financial commitment and resources to bring the game to fruition. The approval from MEAC and SWAC alike was a turning point, with Skipper, in particular, expressing confidence in the bowl’s potential to serve a significant audience, particularly from the Black community.
Further, the connection to HBCU culture and heritage was instrumental in designing and branding the Celebration Bowl. The game emphasizes community and family, emerging as a homecoming-like experience for HBCU alumni and fans.
With corporate sponsors rallying in support, the future of the Celebration Bowl appears bright. “I’m just happy to see it keeps growing,” Thomas stated, reflecting on the growth of the event. “It’s been a win-win for all partners involved.”
Though many of the trailblazers for the Celebration Bowl, including Thomas and Skipper, have since moved on from their roles, Wright underscored the importance of the event’s legacy. As we look towards this weekend’s spirited celebration of HBCU athletics, the Celebration Bowl stands as a testament to perseverance, vision, and the continued commitment to honoring the rich traditions of HBCUs.