I believe MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas when he says his comments on Bethune-Cookman University and Florida A&M University were misunderstood. I believe that he doesn’t engage in regular communication with member schools, and hadn’t been prepped on the status of their stance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which the schools are boycotting due to the game being moved to Orlando and its infringement on the traditional Florida Football Classic.

I can even credit Thomas for the little vision he has for the MEAC. While his vision is muddied at best, it is a vision that place MEAC member schools within the collegiate sports mainstream discussion. It is a vision that promotes a unique fan experience within the ever growing NCAA product.

And yet, to bring this mission to fruition, Thomas would seek to neglect all of the things that can position the MEAC and any other historically black college conference as a viable sports entertainment option:

Tradition and pride.

These are the things that have built and sustained black college athletics through the years. While small in size and select in regional impact, black college sports have built a global following, a following that is economically and cultural loyal to its roots. There is no adequate substitute for the Bayou Classic, the Florida Classic, or any other rivalry that divides and unites sports fans all in the same night.

Trying to infuse a product that the rest of the America neither understands or is ready to accept at the cost of its traditions is a grave mistake. You not only diminish the true impact of the sports, but you alienate those who truly support them, as we now see with B-C and FAMU’s displeasure over Thomas’ “misunderstood” comments.

The same is evident with the MEAC’s botched plans for the 2009 basketball tournament. The conference’s efforts to have its cake and eat it too with media coverage and fan support, nearly blew up in its face when it came to finding a location.

Pick one, Commissioner Thomas. Either you want to be on ESPN Classic, or you want a packed gymnasium.

Fans are not stupid people, particularly black college sports fans. They know when their traditions and pride are being unnecessarily tampered with. Commissioner Thomas has overplayed his hand on several occasions within the last few years, all in the name of progress. The conference should have rejected Disney’s offer to participate in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge for infringing on a historic game like the Florida Classic.

Leaving the two affected HBCUs to speak and talk for themselves was a crime of the highest fashion in black college sports, and should be scrutinized for what the true benefits are for Commissioner Thomas and others who make seek to gain from this incident.

Commissioner Thomas wants to be on TV, and he may just get his wish. Because one more “misunderstanding” like this may land his firing on the 6 p.m. SportsCenter.

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