DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman University Athletic legend Alvin B. Wyatt, Sr., has been announced as one of the five 2020 inductees into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, the conference released today [November 15, 2019.]

"We are honored to have Alvin Wyatt as the latest Wildcat to join the MEAC Hall of Fame," said BCU Vice-President of Intercollegiate Lynn W. Thompson, himself a 2016 enshrinee. "For years, his confident and stylish persona both on and off the field carried the name of Bethune-Cookman athletics to new heights of success and recognition, and now the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference also recognizes his great exploits. We congratulate him on this well-deserved honor and look forward to joining  him as we celebrate his induction."

The former Wildcat football All-American took over as Wildcat head football coach in 1997, leading the Wildcats to their first-ever Division I bowl game in 1998 when Bethune-Cookman appeared in the Heritage Bowl. 

Known for his colorful personality and equally vibrant wardrobe, Wyatt instilled his knowledge of defense in turning the Wildcats into a powerhouse in the MEAC. 

The Wildcats won a conference title in 2002 – the Wildcats' first outright MEAC crown since 1984 – and back-to-back NCAA Division I-AA (now FCS) playoff appearances in 2002 and 2003. 

Among the players Wyatt coached during his tenure were future NFL All Pros Rashean Mathis (2017 MEAC Hall of Fame inductee), Nick Collins (2018 MEAC Hall of Fame inductee and Super Bowl XLV participant) and Eric Weems (Super Bowl LI). 

Wyatt is both the all-time winningest coach in Bethune-Cookman football history at 90-54 and in women's basketball program with a career mark of 245-207 from 1978-96 that includes the 1984 MEAC Tournament championship with a 62-61 overtime win over South Carolina State and an 84-63 victory over Rust in the 1981 AIAW Regionals.

In addition to Thompson, Collins and Mathis, BCU is represented in the MEAC Hall of Fame by Rosina Pearson (women's basketball), Cy McClairen (Coach and Administrator), Lloyd "Tank" Johnson (Administrator), Lee Williams, (football), Amber Jackson (softball) and the late J.D. Hall (football).

The inductees will be enshrined during an awards brunch on Thursday, March 12, starting with a welcome gathering at 9:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va. The Hall of Fame class will also be recognized before the 6 p.m. men's basketball game during the 2020 MEAC Basketball Tournament on March 12 at the Norfolk Scope Arena.

Tickets for the induction brunch are $35 per seat or $300 per table (10 people) and can be purchased by calling the MEAC office at (757) 951-2055.