Senate Resolution 351
By: Senators Halpern of the 39th, Jones II of the 22nd, Parent of the 44th, Orrock of the 36th,
Esteves of the 35th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Dr. Charles F. McClelland on his outstanding service; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS, Dr. Charles F. McClelland has served as the Commissioner of the Southwestern
Athletic Conference (SWAC) since 2018, providing visionary leadership to a conference that
now includes 12 member institutions across six states competing at the NCAA Division I
level; and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the SWAC has grown through the additions of Florida
A&M and Bethune-Cookman as well as through the purchase of a permanent office space
to serve as its headquarters; and
WHEREAS, prior to his tenure with the SWAC, he served as Vice President of
Intercollegiate Athletics at Texas Southern University, where he oversaw significant
improvements in athletic facilities, academic progress rates, and student-athlete graduation
rates as well as secured television broadcasting deals and a multi-million-dollar apparel
partnership with Under Armour; and
WHEREAS, he previously served as Athletics Director at Prairie View A&M University,
where he led the program to 18 championships and played a pivotal role in revitalizing the
football program, culminating in the team's first winning season in over 30 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. McClelland's contributions to collegiate athletics have earned him national
recognition, including the AstroTurf Athletics Director of the Year Award in 2007—the first
SWAC Athletic Director to receive this prestigious honor; and
WHEREAS, his service extends beyond athletics through his involvement with the Prairie
View A&M University National Alumni Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the
Rotary Club of Birmingham, and numerous NCAA leadership committees; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this
remarkable and distinguished individual be appropriately recognized.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize and commend Dr. Charles F. McClelland for his exceptional leadership and his
many exemplary contributions to collegiate athletics as well as extend the most sincere best
wishes for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Dr. Charles F.
McClelland.