The extension which will run through 2032 academic year, was announced on Friday morning. This is the second contract extension for Dr. McClelland who joined the SWAC in August 2018.
“Over the course of the past five years the Southwestern Athletic Conference has made significant strides towards becoming one of the most widely recognized and visible athletic conferences in the country,” said SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors Chairman Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed.D.
“The visionary and dynamic leadership of Commissioner McClelland has helped propel our conference to prominence on a national stage while also increasing the availability of financial resources that have positively impacted the overall student-athlete experience. We are undoubtedly excited about the continued upward trajectory of our league under his leadership.”
McClelland was named the sixth commissioner of the SWAC during the summer of 2018. Since that time the league has significantly increased its visibility and presence on a national stage through the broadcasting of conference football and basketball games on ESPN and HBCUGO platforms.
Overall viewership of league football events reached a historic high this past season with fans able to access the vast majority of conference games via streaming digital platforms and linear programming.
McClelland’s commitment to the overall financial stability of the league annually serves as a key strategic focal point in the Conference Office. Under his leadership, its membership has implemented several initiatives that have greatly impacted the overall financial outlook of the league.
These innovative fiscal and fundraising initiatives have improved the overall student-athlete experience at conference sponsored championship events which is another key point of emphasis for the Conference Office and league membership. McClelland's leadership has left a lasting impact on collegiate athletics, elevating programs and fostering growth within the SWAC and beyond.
Along with his duties at the league office, McClelland recently completed a five-year appointment as a member of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee. Highlights of his tenure on the committee include him serving as chair of the committee for the 2023-24 season. With his selection he became the first person representing an HBCU league or institution to chair the prestigious committee.
Prior to becoming commissioner, McClelland served a total of 17 years at Prairie View A&M University, his undergraduate alma mater where he began is career, and Texas Southern University. His leadership and vision have played a crucial role in advancing the sports programs at these universities and promoting the success of black athletes in collegiate athletics.McClelland has a strong commitment to the success of HBCU athletics. As Director of Athletics a PVAMU and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletictic at TSU, both institutions and won multiple SWAC championships, along with NCAA and NAIA competition in numerous sports with both institutions. At the same time, McClelland made it a priority to graduate student-athletes as well as increase the Academic Progress Rate (APR), an NCAA tool used to measure eligibility, retention and the academic progress of student-athletes and hold schools accountable. Dr. McClelland holds the bachelor's and MBA degrees in management from Prairie View A&M University and the Ph.D. in educational leadership from Texas A&M University. McClelland is married to Ashlee McClelland and is the father of two sons, Cainan and Ashton and one daughter, Cooper.
About the SWAC The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.
*SWAC extends Commissioner Charles McClelland's contract through 2032
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