Annual Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge is back in Atlanta

College football season is just around the corner. “The smell of football is in the air”, Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge Executive Director John Grant said. To kick the season off Atlanta will once again be the host city for the 7th consecutive year. This year’s game will feature Florida A&M University (FAMU) representing the SWAC, and for the first time ever, Norfolk State University (NSU) representing the MEAC. Norfolk State head football coach Dawson Odums said, “We come to Atlanta to bring something that you haven’t seen before…we’re looking forward to putting Norfolk State on a platform where we can showcase the greatness of our academic institution and our program.”

On Wednesday, July 17, a press conference was held to discuss this year’s game. Moderator Jay Walker, a Howard University Bison Hall of Famer and long-time ESPN college football analyst, introduced head coaches Odums and James Colzie III to the stage. Walker set the tone for the game by stating, “The rivalry is real, let’s go!”

In his opening statement, Colzie reflected, “Back where we ended, getting a chance to start where we ended, and obviously getting a chance to start here again, we will have our work cut out for us.”

Both FAMU and NSU are addressing a few issues as they prepare for the upcoming season. FAMU is adjusting to new leadership, including a new head coach who is still deciding on his coaching focus. Meanwhile, NSU is coming off a 3-8 season and is focused on making necessary corrections to set a positive tone for the upcoming games. Odums from NSU reflects on the challenges of last season, noting, “In order for you to become a good football team, you have to experience some things,” he said. “Losing is one of those things. I really am looking forward to 2024 because this locker room is built on something great and I’m proud of where we are.”

As for FAMU, Colzie, the new head coach, emphasizes his approach for the season ahead. “We can’t have any surprises. We’re going to face whoever we face week in and week out,” he said. “We know we have to play our best because we’re going to be playing against their best.”

Both coaches emphasized the importance of staying present throughout the season. Colzie remarked, “We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves; let’s just take it day by day.” Meanwhile, Odums stressed a similar sentiment, saying, “1-0 each week…tomorrow’s got enough problems so let’s just dominate today.”

Highlighting the significance beyond football, Walker reflected on his playing days, noting, “There were six games on TV and you hope you got one of em’,”. Underscoring the rarity of such opportunities, Odums added, “We’re sitting in here as if we do this every day…these boys are playing Saturday night football live on ABC.” He continued, emphasizing the broader responsibility, “We’re not only here representing Norfolk State and FAMU, but all those that look like us. We know that is a tremendous responsibility. We are extremely grateful to have this opportunity to not only show how far we’ve come but still how far we gotta go.”

Discussing the importance of securing victories, Colzie stated, “You can’t go 2-0 if you don’t go 1-0.”

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