SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland Receives Contract Extension Through 2032

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is celebrating the unanimous approval of a contract extension for SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. The contract, set to run through the 2032 academic year, was announced on Friday afternoon, marking a significant milestone for the conference.

SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors Chairman Quinton T. Ross Jr., Ed.D., praised Commissioner McClelland for his visionary and dynamic leadership, which has propelled the conference to national prominence. Under McClelland’s guidance, the SWAC has increased its visibility and presence on a national stage, with conference football and basketball games now being broadcast on ESPN and HBCUGO platforms.

One of McClelland’s key focuses has been on the financial stability of the league, implementing innovative fiscal and fundraising initiatives that have positively impacted the overall student-athlete experience at conference-sponsored championship events. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, as overall viewership of league football events reached a historic high this past season.

In addition to his role at the league office, McClelland recently completed a five-year appointment as a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, where he served as chair for the 2023-24 season. His selection as chair marked a historic moment, as he became the first person representing an HBCU league or institution to hold the position.

The SWAC is excited about the continued upward trajectory of the conference under Commissioner McClelland’s leadership, and looks forward to the future advancements and successes that lie ahead.