Eastin Continues the MEAC’s Officiating Legacy with the NFL

NORFOLK, Va., August 9, 2012 - The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has proven that stepping out of the box among its Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) counterparts is common practice. The feat will become more apparent on Thursday night when Shannon Eastin, a MEAC official since 2009, becomes the first female to officiate an NFL preseason football game featuring the San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers.

“We are proud that Ms. Eastin will get her opportunity to realize a dream of getting to the highest level in football by working on an NFL sideline,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas. “Former MEAC officials have long demonstrated their competency, talents and skills in the NFL. We believe in providing opportunities to qualified people regardless of gender or race.”

Eastin joins a long line of MEAC alumni that has serviced the top athletes in professional football. Currently the MEAC has 11 former officials working NFL sidelines and four more in the league office.

The MEAC has led the way for female officials in Division I FCS football, formerly Division I-AA. In 2002, Annice Canady made history by becoming the first-ever female to officiate a Division I football game when she served as a line judge in a non-conference matchup featuring Benedict College and South Carolina State. Canady's historic achievements continued when she became the first woman to serve as a play-clock operator during Super Bowl XLI featuring the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears on February 1, 2007. Canday has also worked with NFL training camps, NFL Europe and the United Football League.

Canady's opportunity forged the way for Sebrina Brunson who joined the MEAC ranks in 2007 and later by Eastin in 2009. The MEAC's three female officials have been the most by any Division I conference.

MEAC officials are no stranger to NFL firsts. Leo Miles, a former athletic director at Howard University, became the first African American to officiate a Super Bowl in 1974. He served as a head linesman in the NFL for 22 years.

Johnny Grier, former MEAC Supervisor of Officials, currently serves as the Supervisor of Officials in the NFL along with Jim Duke and Neely Dunn, all of which are MEAC alums. Dave Coleman, the NFL's Director of Officials and second in command in the officiating department, has also called MEAC football field's home before his rise to the pro league.

For more information on the MEAC, visit MEACsports.com.

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