BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference mourns the passing of Dr. Roderick “Rod” Paige, a towering figure in American education and a dedicated member of the community whose service helped shape generations of students, educators, and leaders.
 
Dr. Paige’s legacy is both deep and enduring having served at Texas Southern University and Jackson State University. He served as TSU head football coach (1971–1975), Athletic Director (1975–1980), a faculty member (1980–1984), and as Dean of the College of Education (1984–1994) during his distinguished career.
 
Through each role, he advanced student opportunity, strengthened the University’s academic foundation, and championed excellence across campus. To honor his legacy, the building that houses the Texas Southern College of Education that he led for 10 years is named in his honor.
 
His connection to TSU continued throughout the decades after his departure. He established the Rod Paige Endowment to support the educational pursuits of Texas Southern University students. 
 
Beyond Texas Southern, Dr. Paige became nationally recognized for his transformative public service, including leadership in K–12 education and his historic appointment as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education and first African-American (2001–2005).

After serving as education secretary, Paige returned to Jackson State University a half century after he was a student there, serving as the interim president in 2016.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.