SWAC Announces Changes In Football Technology, Basketball Weekly Game Schedules, And Tournament Expansion

The Southwestern Athletic Conference is making a few significant changes in football and basketball for the upcoming season.
Dr. Charles McClelland
Dr. Charles McClelland / Kyle T. Mosley, HBCU Legends

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) announced several items during the annual SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors Spring meeting that were approved and passed for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. The significant changes include:

  • The football teams' in-game use of sideline tablets.
  • Scheduling changes for men's and women's basketball regular season games.
  • The expansion of the conference's basketball tournament.
SWAC Football
SWAC Football / SWAC

TECHNOLOGY ON SIDELINES IN FOOTBALL GAMES

During the 2024 season, the SWAC office will provide state-of-the-art sideline tablets. It's been well documented in professional football that tablets enhance teams' in-game performance. The video will allow coaches and players to adjust play-calling, strategy, alignment, and more.

a. Teams will have the option of using tablets to view in-game videos. Tablets can be distributed on the sideline, locker room, and coaches' booths to study the game broadcast feed and camera angles from a team's sideline and end zone.

b. All team personnel can view the tablets but cannot connect to other devices, project larger images, or provide data and analytics.

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT EXPANSION

a. The league voted to expand the number of teams participating in the SWAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments from eight to ten teams on both sides for the 2025 tournaments.

b. The 2026 SWAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments will feature all 12 men's and women's teams in action.

SWAC Basketball
SWAC Basketball / Credit: SWAC

BASKETBALL SCHEDULING CHANGES

A new scheduling format for men's and women's basketball sports was also approved for the 2024-25 academic year. Texas Southern women's head basketball coach Vernette Skeete believes it will help "spotlight women's basketball in the conference."

The women's basketball league games will be scheduled for Thursdays and Saturdays, while the men's basketball games are set for Saturdays and Mondays. Why? Making the scheduling change will help to enhance fan engagement and attendance, as well as maximize broadcast viewership.


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Kyle T. Mosley

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: