JACKSON, Miss.- Southwestern Athletic Conference Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland was recently honored (Jan. 13) by the Mississippi State Senate and the City of Jackson in recognition of his contributions to the league.
 
The Mississippi State Senate honored McClelland for his efforts in helping elevate the profile of the three SWAC member institutions that reside in the state (Alcorn State University, Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University).
 
“We continuously strive to recognize and honor Mississippi natives that have made lasting and profound impacts in their respective career fields and Dr. Charles McClelland undoubtedly meets all of the criteria,” said Mississippi State Senator Sollie Norwood.
 
“With three SWAC member institutions located in the State of Mississippi we’ve been able to witness first-hand the tremendous impact that he has had on the conference in such a relatively short amount of time. We sincerely applaud Commissioner McClelland and the impactful unwavering leadership that he has provided the Southwestern Athletic Conference.”
 
Later that day McClelland was also presented with “The Key to the City of Jackson, Mississippi” by City of Jackson Mayor John Horhn. McClelland, who is a Jackson native was awarded a proclamation declaring Tuesday, January 13, 2026 as “Dr. Charles F. McClelland Day”.
 
“I’m extremely humbled to receive this recognition,” said McClelland. “Growing up in Jackson I’m not quite sure that I could have ever fathomed having the opportunity to receive this type of honor. This has been a truly memorable occasion and I couldn’t be more proud to be a native of the City of Jackson and the State of Mississippi. I would also like to sincerely thank Senator Norwood and Mayor Horhn for this recognition.”
 
McClelland was named the sixth Commissioner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference during the summer of 2018. Highly regarded as one of the top sports administrators in the country McClelland currently oversees a conference with a total of twelve member institutions which boast 18 sports that compete at the NCAA Division I level.
 
In addition to his duties at the league office, McClelland was selected as a member of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee in March of 2019. In July of 2022 McClelland was named chair of the committee for the 2023-24 season. With his selection he became the first person representing an HBCU league or institution to chair the committee. 

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.