Dawn Thornton played at Jackson State University, so she knows firsthand about the history and tradition of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
The new Alabama A&M women’s basketball coach spoke about the recently announced changes to the SWAC basketball schedule, which now features the women playing games on Thursday and Saturday and the men on Saturday and Monday.
. @aamuwbb coach @DivaCoachAAMU has “mixed emotions” about playing #SWAC women’s basketball regular season conference games on Thursdays and Saturdays.
She says there’s an element of tradition she’ll miss, but understands this can increase exposure.@FOX54News | @_AAMUAthletics pic.twitter.com/0JLt1btDDq
— Simon Williams (@SimonHFWilliams) June 29, 2024
“I have mixed emotions. Those doubleheaders are something that I know our fans and community looked forward to,” Thornton told Fox 54’s Simon Williams. “However, with the trajectory that women’s basketball is going in right now, it’s great to be the highlighted team, be that premier team, and have your own night.”
Thornton also said the new scheduling could provide even greater exposure for HBCU women’s hoops.
“That’s where the game is evolving,” she said. “It may take a while for everybody to get used to it, but women’s basketball deserves to have some prime time, and I’m excited about being part of that change.