Dover, Del. (March 3, 2010) --- Delaware State University will kick off its 2010 football season in the land of Disney. The Hornets will battle Southern University of Baton Rouge, La., in the Sixth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, Sep. 5 in Orlando, Fla.
The contest at Orlando's Citrus Bowl Stadium will be televised on an ESPN network, which will be announced, along with the kick off time, at a later date.
'This is a great opportunity for our university to participate in an outstanding event," said Derek Carter, Delaware State's Director of Athletics. "I'm sure the experience will be cherished by our student-athletes, alumni and fans for years to come. We invite the entire DSU family to join us in Orlando for the game and other event activities."
This will be Delaware State's first appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which pits a top team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against one from the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Southern will be making its second appearance in the challenge. The Jaguars defeated the MEAC's Florida A&M 33-27 in 2007 in Birmingham, Ala.
Delaware State is 2-0 all-time vs. Southern. The Hornets, led by first-year head coach Bill Collick and All-American John Taylor, defeated the Jaguars 46-8 in 1985 in Baton Rouge, La. The teams met again the following year in Shreveport, La., with the Hornets coming out of top, 21-14.
It's been nearly two decades since Delaware State faced a Southwestern Athletic Conference team. The Hornets defeated Grambling State 45-42 at the Pontiac (Mich.) Silverdome in 1992 in their last contest against a SWAC opponent.
Delaware State won two of its last three games to post a 4-6 overall record and 3-5 mark in the MEAC last season. The '09 campaign featured road games against the Michigan Wolverines, Delaware Blue Hens and MEAC champion South Carolina State Bulldogs.
"It's an honor for Delaware State to participate in the 2010 MEAC/SWAC Challenge," said DSU head coach Al Lavan, who is 38-27 in six seasons with the Hornets. "At the same time, it will be a tremendous challenge to open the season against an outstanding Southern University program. ESPN's telecast of the game also provides a great opportunity to showcase our team and university. I'm sure this will be an unforgettable experience for the Hornets and the entire Delaware State University family."
Southern is coming off a 6-5 season overall and enter the 2010 season with a new head coach, former NFL coach Lyvonia "Stump" Mitchell.
"On behalf of Southern University, I would like to say we are honored to be playing in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge," Mitchell said. "We look forward to the matchup against Coach Lavan and Delaware State University. They will be a formidable opponent.
"I have known Coach Lavan for a number of years, and I know he will have his team ready and prepared. Coach Lavan coached in the NFL for a number of years and coached players like Tony Dorsett, Roger Craig, Priest Holmes, Tom Rathman and many others. We look forward to the game and would like to thank ESPN for all that they are doing to make this an exciting weekend with a great game to cap it all off."
The inaugural MEAC/SWAC Challenge in 2005 showcased the MEAC's South Carolina State vs. Alabama State of the SWAC, with South Carolina State prevailing, 27-14. In 2006, the contest went into overtime with the MEAC's Hampton University defeating the SWAC's Grambling State, 27-26.
In 2008, the event moved from Birmingham's Legion Field to Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, where the MEAC reclaimed the MEAC/SWAC Challenge crown, as Hampton defeated Jackson State 17-13.South Carolina State earned bragging rights in 2009, beating the SWAC's Grambling State 34-31 in the closing minutes of an exciting contest. Southern's win in 2007 gave the SWAC its first MEAC/SWAC Challenge trophy. The MEAC leads the series 4-1.
"We are excited about the sixth year of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge," said Nikki Godfrey, executive director, MEAC/SWAC Challenge. "We look forward to continuing to build on traditions while providing a stellar experience for the student-athletes and fans alike.
"We are proud to provide a platform on national television to highlight the HBCU experience through this event. The combination of a wonderful destination in Orlando, the magic of the Disney experience and the pageantry of HBCU football make this event an amazing one."
Said Eugene Campbell, vice president, community relations & minority business development for Walt Disney World Resort: "As a presenting sponsor, Disney is proud to celebrate this annual football classic that highlights student athletes from two HBCUs. We look forward to welcoming fans of all ages to Central Florida for a holiday weekend of festivities that includes a top-notch bowl experience along with magical, immersive entertainment experiences at Disney theme parks."
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is operated by ESPN Regional Television. For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, or to join the event's following on Facebook and Twitter, please visit the event's official Web site at www.meacswacchallenge.com.
Delaware State University will announce its complete 2010 football schedule later this month.
