The NCAA appointed five new members to the board of governors’ finance and audit committee, Southwestern Sports Conference (SWAC) commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland, among the chosen among the chosen.
The NCAA Board of Directors Finance and Audit Committee oversees the organization’s financial operations and audit processes. Working under the broader NCAA Board of Directors, the Committee ensures financial accountability, reviews financial statements and supports financial integrity and transparency throughout the association.
McClelland’s historical designation
Dr. McClelland expressed his excitement and gratitude following the announcement.
“I am sincerely pleased to be selected as a member of the Finance and Audit Committee of the NCAA Board of Directors,” said McClelland. “This committee plays a critical role within the overall governance structure of the NCAA, and I could not be more excited to begin serving the NCAA membership.”
McClelland’s appointment adds to his growing list of national leadership roles within collegiate athletics and further cements his influence as one of the most influential administrators in HBCU sports.
It has been replacing SWAC since 2018
McClelland, named the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s sixth commissioner in 2018, has overseen one of the most transformative periods in the league’s history.
Under his leadership, SWAC grew the conference to 12 member institutions in six states, with the addition of Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University.
The current SWAC LineUp includes:
- Mississippi: Alcorn State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State
- Alabama: Alabama A&M, Alabama State
- Louisiana: Gramling State, Southern University
- Texas: See Prairie a & m, Texas south
- Arkansas: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
- Florida: Florida A & M, Bethune-Cookman
Building a modern SWAC headquarters
Among the notable accomplishments during McClelland’s tenure was the acquisition of a new corporate headquarters—a three-story office building with more than 40 individual offices, multiple conference rooms, and state-of-the-art multimedia spaces.
The new facility now serves as the League’s Central Hub for business operations, meetings and digital media production, serving digital media production through the SWAC digital network.
Expanding Access through SWAC TV
At the 2025 conference, it launched SWAC TV, a digital streaming platform designed to provide greater access to live events and original content from 18 sponsored sports.
Available on multiple streaming devices, SWAC TV serves as a modern extension of the league’s growing media presence – part of McClelland’s ongoing efforts to build visibility and engagement for HBCU athletics on National platforms.
NCAA Leadership Out of the SWAC
Outside of his SWAC duties, McClelland continues to break the billion barrier. In 2019, he joined the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, which is responsible for selecting, seeding and folding the field for the NCAA tournament.
In 2022, McClelland made history again when he was named chairman of the committee for the 2023-24 season – becoming the first person ever to lead an HBCU league or institution.
He is also a former member of the NCAA Leadership/Governance Council, one of the NCAA’s highest-ranking policy bodies. That Council formed the NCAA’s strategic direction, advised the Board of Directors, and set overall policy and administrative order.
