Report on TSU Athletics
OVC Update
On January 22, 2022, the Big South Conference and the Ohio Valley Conference announced that a letter of
intent was signed to create an association of their football member institutions, to begin with the 2023 NCAA
Division I football season.
Current OVC members include Tennessee State, UT Martin, Tennessee Tech, Southeast Missouri, Eastern
Illinois, and Murray State, with Lindenwood University transitioning to the OVC in 2023.
Big South members include Robert Morris, Charleston Southern, Campbell University and Gardner-Webb.
The OVC/Big South Alliance:
• Combines the football membership of both conferences to ensure NCAA championship access
(Automatic Qualifier).
• Provides the football member institutions a schedule of games against all the teams in their multisport
conference and additional games against schools from the other conference.
• Will initially increase travel costs due to the overall distance between the member institutions
associated with competing in football under this new structure in 2023. The Alliance will continue to
evaluate measures to decrease travel costs.
• President Glover has charged AD Allen with the formation of a committee to evaluate conference
alignment activities and future developments.
Southern Heritage Classic
Entering its 33rd Year, the Southern Heritage Classic is one of the most attended HBCU Classics in the
country. Since 1990, the game has featured Tennessee State University and Jackson State University.
• Jackson State University initially announced that it was terminating its future participation in the
Southern Heritage Classic, including the 2022 Classic, due to an alleged conflict with a conference
commitment.
• Shortly after the announcement, President Glover issued a statement expressing disappointment and
displeasure with Jackson State’s decision to cancel participation in the annual contest.
• JSU then announced that it will participate in the 2022 Classic but will not participate in the scheduled
games for 2023 and 2024.
• To date, there are ongoing discussions about the future of the Southern Heritage Classic, as well as an
evaluation of other alternatives and options, including Classic-type game opportunities in Nashville and
Atlanta.
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Facility Enhancements
• The Gentry Center has been renovated and now features new corner media boards, scorer’s table,
interior paint, and new football/track & field locker rooms.
• The Indoor Complex will soon feature a state-of-the art strength and conditioning facility. The new
weight room will include the latest sports performance equipment and technology designed specifically
for the evolving needs of today’s student athletes.
TSU Athletics: Team Highlights
Fall Sports (Highlights)
• Under the leadership of Coach George, TSU Football finished 5-6 for the Fall ’21 season. First four
game winning streak since 2016. Posted four consecutive OVC wins, first since 2013.
• Gina Rivera (All-OVC) broke the all-time digs record for TSU Volleyball.
• TSU Lady Tigers’ Women’s Basketball team won an OVC Basketball Tournament Game. First OVC
Basketball Tournament win since 2015.
• Men’s Basketball won the OVC Basketball Tournament opening round game versus SIUE.
• R’Lazon Brumfield, TSU’s All-American Triple Jumper, qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track and
Field Championships.
• TSU Track and Field successfully hosted the 2021 OVC Cross Country Championships.
Spring Sports (Highlights)
• TSU’s new Softball Head Coach Genee McRath won her first game versus Grambling (1-0) in the
River City Classic (Vicksburg, Mississippi).
• TSU’s new Tennis Head Coach Todd Smith notched his first program win against Cumberland on
February 19th.
• TSU Football will host its first spring game under Coach George on April 9th (Hale Stadium-3pm KickOff).
Found in the meeting notes.
www.tnstate.edu/board/documents/March%2017%20BOT%20Meeting%20Board%20Materials%20-%20Board%20Final%20Submission%20Draft.pdf