Edward Waters University faced a significant defeat against Jackson State, losing 66-14, but the result prompted a pivotal response from EWU President A. Zachary Faison Jr. In his statement, Faison expressed pride in his team’s effort while also acknowledging the misaligned competitive dynamics of the game. He apologized to players and coaches for placing them in an uneven match and announced that the university would reassess its scheduling policies regarding matchups with Division I teams.
Faison highlighted that the financial return from such games was no longer justifiable. Edward Waters received a $65,000 guarantee from Jackson State, but after expenses, the net profit was only around $30,000—a sum insufficient to warrant the competitive risk faced by the program. He noted how this contrasts starkly with the payments Division I HBCUs receive, which can reach into the hundreds of thousands.
Faison emphasized that the scoreboard did not accurately reflect the distinct levels of resources available to the two programs—the scholarship distribution was a crucial factor. Edward Waters had only 29 funded football scholarships compared to Jackson State’s 63. This disparity can have long-term implications, affecting recruiting perceptions of the program.
Moving forward, Edward Waters will not schedule Division I opponents unless it can clear at least $100,000 after expenses and will focus on rivals more aligned in competitive standing. Faison’s principled stand raises questions about the sustainability of scheduling such games and challenges other institutions to consider the true value of these matchups beyond the immediate financial gain.
