NORFOLK, Va. – Bethune-Cookman will be televised in a league-leading five football games during the upcoming 2016 campaign, as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced its 2016 football schedule from the league office on Thursday, June 16.
 
The 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) television schedule features eight regular season matchups which will be televised on ESPN, ESPNU, and ESPN Classic, as well as carried on ESPN3. The nationally televised games are a part of the MEAC's ongoing partnership with ESPN.
 
"We are excited about the 2016 football television schedule that offers our fans many ways to stay tuned into their favorite MEAC football team," said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. "Our partnership with ESPN continues to showcase our talented student-athletes, coaches and institutions through multiple ESPN platforms and further illustrates this tremendous partnership we have built over the years with the Worldwide Leader in Sports."
 
The 2016 television schedule kicks off with the 12th annual MEAC/SWAC Football Challenge featuring the MEAC's Bethune-Cookman and Alcorn State of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). The game will be televised live on Sunday, September 4, beginning at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN.
 
Bethune-Cookman's next televised league contest will be Saturday, October 8, when the Maroon and Gold travels to South Carolina State in a game set for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff. In the last three meetings between the two schools, the home team has held serve in each contest, including a Thursday night ESPNU televised victory for the Wildcats in 2015.
 
The only Thursday night game for B-CU will be televised on ESPNU on October 13, when fellow defending MEAC Co-Champion North Carolina A&T visits Municipal Stadium at 7:30 p.m.
 
The following week, Bethune-Cookman travels to Norfolk State for a game on Saturday, October 22, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m., at William "Dick" Price Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3, and a tape delay on ESPNU later in the evening.
 
The 2016 MEAC schedule wraps up with the Florida Classic featuring Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M.  The game will air live on ESPN Classic and ESPN3 on Nov. 19. There will be one game determined for the final week of the season between two teams in contention for the MEAC Championship that will also air live on ESPN3 and replayed later on ESPNU on Nov. 19.
 
"I think it says that we are putting a clean, exciting product on the field that people want to see on a regular basis," stated B-CU head coach Terry Sims. "Equally, I think it displays the dedication and hard work of our coaching staff."
 
The MEAC will participate in the second annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl pitting the champion of the conference against the champion of the SWAC in a post season bowl game on Saturday, December 17, in Atlanta at the Georgia Dome. The matchup will be televised live at Noon on ABC. 
 
All games can also be viewed via live stream on computers, smartphones, tablets, Xbox and Apple TV via the WatchESPN application.
 
Tickets to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge can be purchased through Ticketmaster online, by calling 800-745-3000 or by logging on to www.meacswacchallenge.com. Tickets are priced at $25 and $35, plus applicable fees and taxes.
 
Fans traveling to the game can enjoy a special $135/night rate at the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort/Ocean Walk Village, which is serving as the host hotel. Additional accommodation options are available and can be booked through Anthony Travel, the event's official travel provider. For more information, visit www.AnthonyTravel.com/MEACSWAC or call 888-632-6951.
 
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN. For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, or to join the event's following on Facebook and Twitter, visit the event's official website at www.meacswacchallenge.com.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUGridIron) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.