BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced the creation of the SWAC Student-Athlete Enhancement Initiative. The SWAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors unanimously approved the implementation of the initiative at the league’s recently held Winter meetings.

The Conference Office is set to distribute a total of 4.8 million dollars in funding for the initiative which will be allocated to league member institutions over the course of the next four upcoming academic years. 

The SWAC Student-Athlete Enhancement Initiative will include funding for the continued implementation of enhanced student-athlete support services in the areas of academics, sports medicine, and sports information.

Additionally, member institutions’ athletic departments can also use the funds to help support student-athlete’s mental health initiatives, cover cost of attendance allowances, and assist in covering “Alston” cash awards for academic achievement.

“The SWAC Student-Athlete Enhancement Initiative will positively assist our league membership with their collective pursuits of academic and student-athlete support services excellence,” said SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland. “We’re extremely excited to implement this historic initiative that will undoubtedly assist our member institutions with enhancing the overall academic, educational, and professional development of our student-athletes that attend our schools.”

“This unique strategic initiative will go a long way towards assisting our league with making significant strides as it relates to enhancing our member institutions’ student-athlete support services areas, while simultaneously enhancing the overall student-athlete experience through an increased offering of impactful resources and high-level supplemental support.”

The SWAC Student-Athlete Enhancement Initiative is officially set to be implemented at all twelve league member institutions at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year.

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.