DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Let's not say Thursday was business as usual for Bethune-Cookman Athletics. After all, the Wildcats are now in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and have the cool swag to show for it.

The day began at 8:32 a.m. with SWAC Assistant Commissioner for Media Relations Andrew Roberts making an information request in addition to his welcome. As the day progressed, Volleyball Head Coach Brittany Williams posted her conference schedule on her team's Instagram page. The men's basketball team dealt with logistics for a November tournament. Jonathan Hernandez had Bobby Bonilla Day observances [inside baseball joke]. Associate Athletic Director Sandra Booker announced the appointment of Janell Crayton as the new Women's Basketball Coach. And it was also the first day of the new fiscal year.

Celebrations? They're deferred. There was a photo op in that swag that proved popular on social media, but it was pretty much business … the business at hand.

"We'll celebrate in the future when our teams win all the championships," Booker said with a smile. "These are busy times here at Bethune-Cookman and our coaches are preparing for an exciting future with the Southwestern Athletic Conference."

B-CU is gearing up for a return to play after opting out in 2020-21. Thursday was also the first day of the post Lynn Thompson era after the legendary Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics celebrated his last day Wednesday. (He still showed up in the office briefly.)

"We're going through some transitions," Booker said. "But we are determined to maintain the high standards set in providing our Student-Athletes a first-rate experience in competition and in the classroom so they conclude their time here with a degree."  

Bethune-Cookman opens its 2021-22 athletics schedule on September 4 with the football team playing at Texas- El Paso.