MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills Talks Future Plans, NIL, and Women in Sports
Entering her fourth season as commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Sonja Stills is excited about the future of the conference and the increasing role of women in sports. As the fall sports season kicks off, Stills sat down with HBCU Sports to discuss the MEAC’s plans, NIL, and the potential for a MEAC alumna to become the leader of the free world.
Stills expressed her excitement for the upcoming season, highlighting the various sports and events that will take place. Reflecting on the previous year, she described it as a tremendous year for the conference, with notable achievements in basketball and football.
When asked about the possibility of a conference championship game in football, Stills mentioned that while expansion is always a part of their long-range plan, they are focused on strengthening the foundation of their Elite Eight before considering adding more institutions.
Regarding the addition of women’s flag football as a sport, Stills mentioned that the MEAC is close to making it happen, with institutions showing interest and resources being allocated for the transition. She emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for Black women in sports, with hopes of seeing HBCU representation in the Olympics in the future.
As a woman leading an NCAA Division I conference, Stills expressed her excitement about the growth of women’s sports and the increasing representation of women in leadership roles. She highlighted the importance of providing more opportunities for women of color in leadership positions.
Stills also touched on the significance of Kamala Harris, a MEAC alumna, becoming the Democratic nominee for President of the United States, noting the impact it has on young women of color who now see such achievements as attainable.
In light of the new NIL rules in college athletics, Stills emphasized the importance of prioritizing education for student-athletes, while also supporting their ability to profit from their name, image, and likeness. She stressed the importance of HBCUs staying true to their foundation of serving the underserved population and focusing on graduating student-athletes.