June 4, 2007

For Immediate Release June 4, 2007

ESPN Regional Television's Third Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge to Feature Florida A&M vs. Southern Sept. 1 on ESPN Classic

Teams Set To Play for the First Time in Five Years; Birmingham Event Will Include Step Show and High School Seminar Over Labor Day Weekend

ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN, Inc., and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), two prominent HBCU (Historically Black College/University) leagues, will celebrate Labor Day weekend with the third annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge festivities, featuring a college football matchup between Florida A&M University and Southern University. The annual ERT owned-and-operated event will be held Saturday, Sept. 1 at 3 p.m. ET and be televised live on ESPN Classic from Birmingham's (Ala.) historic Legion Field. In addition, several ancillary events, highlighted by a high school outreach career panel and a step show competition, will take place leading up to the game.

Each year, the game pits a MEAC team against a SWAC member at a neutral site located within the footprint of one of the conferences. This year's event will pair the MEAC's Florida A&M University (FAMU) against the SWAC's Southern University, the first time these two teams will meet since 2001. The teams first competed in 1941, with FAMU leading the all-time series 33-24-1.

Seven-time MEAC Champion Florida A&M University finished the 2006 season with a 7-4 overall record and 5-3 in the MEAC. With expectations to regain supremacy in the MEAC, the 2007 Rattlers return a solid offensive and defensive front headed by third-year head coach Rubin Carter.

Southern University completed the 2006 season with a 5-6 record, 4-5 in conference play. Under the helm of 14-year head coach Pete Richardson, the Jaguars have won five conference titles. This season, Southern is hopeful to regain its dominance in the SWAC behind the accomplished leadership of Richardson, who will be directing a young but talented roster.

The inaugural matchup in 2005 showcased the MEAC's South Carolina State vs. Alabama State of the SWAC, with South Carolina State prevailing, 27-14. Last year's contest went into overtime with the MEAC's Hampton University defeating the SWAC's Grambling State, 27-26. Teams for future games will be determined on an annual basis.

ESPN will also host a series of related events before and after the game, which will include:
· The High School Career Panel 101, Presented by Team ESPN and Bright House Networks, a sports and cable career panel for local high school juniors and seniors from the Birmingham area, including Jefferson County and Bessemer school districts (Friday, August 31 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center)
· MEAC-SWAC Step Correct Step Show Challenge will serve as a prelude to the annual HBCU college football matchup showcasing various African-American Greek fraternities and sororities from the south and north competing for a chance to participate in the Step Correct Championship in New York City, cash prizes and bragging rights (Friday at 7 p.m. - Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center, East Exhibition Hall). For more information, please visit www.stepcorrect.com.
· The Great Tailgate will be an interactive tailgate extravaganza with food and games (Saturday at 10 a.m. -- Legion Field)
· Battle of the Bands between FAMU and Southern's marching bands during halftime and post-game.
· and the official MEAC-SWAC Challenge Post-Game After Party presented by Perfect 10 Productions (Saturday at 10 p.m. - BJCC East Exhibition Hall)

"This year's MEAC/SWAC Challenge will add to the growing tradition of the event, which is committed to showcasing the storied pageantry, heritage and sportsmanship of MEAC and SWAC football and its institutions," said Pete Derzis, senior vice president and general manager, ERT. "After a five-year absence, we look forward to re-introducing the FAMU-Southern rivalry to a broad national audience on ESPN Classic."

MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas added, "The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is an outstanding opportunity for both conferences to showcase its institutions, outstanding athletes and football programs. We are also extremely pleased to be associated with ESPN, which gives both conferences and institutions an expanded marketing platform to highlight these great football programs for the entire nation to see."

Robert Vowels, SWAC Commissioner said, "The last two editions of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge have been competitive and spirit-filled and we are expecting nothing less in 2007. Florida A&M and Southern University each bring a rich tradition of football excellence and black college football lore. This game is even more vaunted with the exposure that the ESPN brand brings to the table. "

Tickets for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge football game will be available through ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, including select Publix Supermarkets, FYE Music Stores and Coconuts Music & Movies locations or by phone at 205-715-6000 or 800-277-1700. For more details, please visit www.meacswacchallenge.com. In addition, two dollars from each ticket sold will be donated to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Each school will present a check representing the portion sold from their respective box offices during the game. ESPN will present a check from other ticket sales.

ESPN Regional Television
ESPN Regional Television (ERT) is the nation's largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming. ERT produces more than 900 sporting events annually, including football, basketball, NCAA events, golf and NHRA events, which accounts for more than 2,200 live and/or original hours of programming. In addition to event ownership, ERT is the production headquarters for ESPNU, the 24-hour college sports network; syndication rightsholder and producer of national, regional and local shows for college conferences.

ESPN Regional Television markets and/or owns several sporting events. Examples include the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl, Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, Papajohns.com Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, The Home Depot College Football Awards, Old Spice Classic, the Dick's Sporting Goods Spartan Clash and more.

About Team ESPN
Team ESPN encompasses ESPN's multi-faceted corporate outreach initiatives, including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN, ESPN, its employees and its fans work together to make a difference. Team ESPN... Fans Helping Fans. www.teamespn.com.

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