2026 Cricket MEAC/ SWAC Challenge Kicks Off Weekend at South Atlanta High School

Before college football fans and proud HBCU alumni head to Center Parc Stadium on Saturday for the Cricket MEAC SWAC Challenge, the weekend officially started at South Atlanta High School with the Cricket High School Seminar.

Students had the opportunity to meet with college recruiters and learn financial literacy skills from Truist Bank. Albany State University, Grambling State University, Howard University, Alabama A&M University, and the U.S. Army were on campus to speak to students and discuss their potential pathways after high school.

“This was an incredible opportunity for our students to get to talk to recruiters, introduce themselves, and consider HBCUs as a home for their next destination,” South Atlanta High School athletic director Andrea Kerr-Conley said. “We understand the legacy and our students understand what HBCUs offer.”

 The top highlight of the morning, however, was the High School Seminar panel discussion led by ESPN SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris.

“Today’s event was fantastic. I wish I was taking notes from the panel,” Harris said. “They dropped a lot of good gems that I hope were received by the young folks in the audience.”

Harris led the conversation with leaders from a diverse group of professionals who shared their career experiences, lessons learned along the way, and motivational tips to encourage students to pursue their passions with purpose no matter what their position in life is.

The seminar’s panel featured human resources strategist from Allstate Jason Wright, sports broadcaster Thai Floyd, and motivational speaker Jovan “The Voice” Paige.

“My students kept saying the panelists were keeping it real and they could relate,” Kerr-Conley said. “It was an on-time message, and one that students can carry with them. My students were engaged and asked questions. That is a win, and I know that it has touched more than one person’s life.”

After the panel, Cricket surprised South Atlanta High School teacher Dr. Horace Dukes with a $1,000 DonorsChoose gift for his work with students through the Dukes Foundation.

“He’s a phenomenal educator who takes young men and changes their lives,” Kerr-Conley said. “He doesn’t get enough credit for what he does, and I wanted to make sure that the light shined on him today because he is doing phenomenal work with the young men whose lives he is touching.”

The MEAC SWAC Challenge Kickoff brings more than just football to Atlanta. Whether it was a memorable quote from the seminar, a chance to network and connect with college recruiters, or the opportunity to watch a live HBCU college football game, the event left an impact on the students at South Atlanta High School.

“HBCUs are special,” Harris said. “They were built at a time when it was the only place we could go to school as Black folks. The traditions are real. The professionalism is real. The passion is real. Being exposed to that can only be good for these young folks.”

“We attach these special events to this game because it encompasses the whole feeling for the game on Saturday,” he added. “The game is like the icing on the cake.”