MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills has agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep her leading the conference through 2031, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Tuesday.
Stills, who became the first woman to lead the MEAC when she took over as commissioner in 2022, has presided over a period of expansion and rising visibility for the eight-member conference.
A Growing List of Accomplishments
The most recent additions to her resume came just two weeks ago. In July, Stills and the MEAC finalized a new multi-year media rights agreement with ESPN that keeps conference football and basketball on ESPN networks through the 2030-31 academic year. The deal puts nearly two dozen regular-season football games on ESPN platforms annually, along with both basketball tournament championship games on linear ESPN networks. A companion agreement with ESPN Events locked in the MEAC’s participation in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff and the Cricket Celebration Bowl through 2032.
The same week, Stills announced the rebranding and expansion of the conference’s owned streaming platform as the MEAC Network, which carries more than 100 live events annually, ensures every conference championship is broadcast live, and reaches more than 150 million U.S. streaming households across Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and other platforms.
Under her leadership, the MEAC has also grown its championship portfolio to 16 sports with the addition of women’s golf and women’s flag football.
“I am honored by the continued trust and confidence of our Presidents and Chancellors,” Stills said in the conference’s announcement. “Everything we have accomplished reflects the dedication and partnership of our member institutions, coaches, administrators and student-athletes. I look forward to continuing that work as we strengthen the conference, embrace new opportunities, and build a foundation for continued success across the MEAC.”
Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, president of Norfolk State University, praised Stills as “a steadfast advocate for our student-athletes, championing excellence not only in competition but also in academics, leadership, and personal development.”
“Her collaborative approach, strategic vision, and dedication to elevating the MEAC have strengthened our conference and reinforced its proud tradition of excellence,” Adams-Gaston said.
Beyond media and championship growth, Stills led the development of the MEAC’s Strategic and Long-Range Plan, established the MEAC Foundation, expanded conference-wide student-athlete leadership and mental health initiatives, and secured partnerships that have increased scholarship and programming opportunities.
Her influence extends beyond the conference office. Stills serves as Football Championship Subdivision chair for the College Commissioners Association and has worked with the NCAA, federal lawmakers, and the Congressional Black Caucus on policy affecting student-athletes and historically underfunded institutions.
Her tenure has drawn national recognition, including the 2025 Women Leaders in Sports Nike Executive of the Year Award, a spot on Sports Illustrated’s list of 100 Influential Black Women in Sports, the Sports Business Journal Leader in Diversity and Inclusive Hiring honor, and the ESSENCE Black Women in Sports Leadership Award.
The MEAC enters its 56th year of competition in the 2026–27 academic year. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, the conference comprises eight HBCUs along the Atlantic seaboard: Coppin State, Delaware State, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina Central, and South Carolina State.
