Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are the football program of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, competing in the SWAC after decades in the MEAC. Founded in the same era as the university itself under legendary educator Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the Wildcats carry one of the proudest names among Florida's HBCUs. The program has built a modern reputation for MEAC title runs and a fierce Florida Classic rivalry with Florida A&M.

Football at Bethune-Cookman traces back to the university's founding era in the 1920s, and the Wildcats won six Division II championships during their SIAC years (1931-1978). After joining the MEAC in 1979, B-CU claimed Black college national recognition and a string of conference crowns in the 2000s and 2010s, including MEAC championships in 2002, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Wildcats moved to the SWAC's East Division starting in 2021.