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MEAC commissioner highlights expanded tournament programming and national TV exposure for Norfolk
Summary
Dasonia Stills, commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, told Norfolk's council the MEAC tournament will include new community events, a women's athletics leadership workshop with a Coca-Cola keynote, and national broadcasts on ESPN platforms; she said the conference remains contracted to Norfolk for the current multi-year cycle.
Dasonia Stills, commissioner with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, told the City of Norfolk's council at a work session that the MEAC tournament scheduled in the city will include expanded community programming and national television exposure.
Stills described a women's athletics workshop to be held Monday in the locker room, with Coca-Cola providing the keynote speaker, and said the event is open to women interested in athletics and leadership. She also outlined several new or returning events: an "overtime brunch," an R&B block party aimed at young alumni and visitors, and community service activities that will bring cheerleaders, DJs and mascots into Norfolk public schools to encourage student reading.
"We're really excited," Stills said, noting that the tournament is in its second year of a three-year cycle hosting arrangement with Norfolk and that the city has been "home" for MEAC headquarters and events. She also confirmed national media plans: "ESPN will be on ESPN again. The men's game will be on ESPN2, and our women will be on ESPN News," and indicated additional re-broadcasts were expected.
A council member sought to "dispel a rumor" that MEAC would relocate to Baltimore. Stills replied that the conference had just extended its contract last year, that an RFP process will follow this tournament and that while Baltimore has courted MEAC, the conference is contracted to Norfolk for the current cycle.
Stills emphasized the local economic benefits of hosting the tournament and the city partnership behind new events, saying the expanded programming aims to serve a variety of fans and alumni and to bolster downtown Norfolk during tournament week.
The council thanked Stills and city staff for coordinating the events and for the partnership with MEAC. Stills left the meeting after the presentation, noting she had further work to do in support of the tournament.
