Stills to replace Thomas as leader
She will become league’s first female commissioner
Sonja Stills, after nearly two decades in a variety of roles with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, on Tuesday was named the league’s commissioner.
Stills will replace Dr. Dennis Thomas at the end of 2021 to become the MEAC’s first female commissioner. Stills has been with the MEAC for 19 years and since January has been the Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer.
“I’m honored to be named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s next commissioner,” Stills said in a statement released by the league. “I’ve learned a great deal in my tenure with the conference and look forward to continuing the MEAC’s history of excellence.”
Stills, a 2021 MEAC 50th Anniversary Pioneers in Women’s Sports Award recipient, along with her current roles serves as the MEAC’s director of Esports.
Before arriving at the MEAC, she was Hampton University’s coordinator of athletic academic support for four years. At HU, she created the school’s first athletic academic support program and implemented the CHAMPS/ LifeSkills Program. She provided academic advising and counseling to student-athletes.
Stills is an Old Dominion graduate and received a Master of Arts in Counseling (College Student Work Personnel) from Hampton.
Thomas has been the MEAC commissioner for 20 years.
“Congratulations to Sonja Stills,” Thomas said. “I’m thrilled to see her hard work, determination, discipline and integrity being rewarded. Sonja has always demonstrated vision and a passion for student-athlete achievement, which is why I’m confident she will lead the MEAC to its next level of success.”