NORFOLK, Va. – Under the direction of new head coach Henry Frazier III, conference rookie North Carolina Central University has been picked to finish seventh during the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football season, according to a poll of league head football coaches and sports information directors. MEAC officials made the announcement during the annual football press luncheon on Friday afternoon in Norfolk, Va.

NCCU is expected to gain full NCAA Division I membership in August and become an official championship-eligible MEAC member on Sept. 1.

The Eagles were selected ahead of four squads with Delaware State picked eighth, North Carolina A&T ninth, Howard 10th and fellow conference newcomer Savannah State at the bottom in 11th.

South Carolina State was announced as the MEAC favorite for the fourth straight year, while last season’s co-champions, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, are slated to finish second and third, respectively.

Rounding out the preseason poll are Hampton in fourth, Norfolk State in fifth and Morgan State in sixth.

For more information about Friday’s MEAC festivities, visit www.MEACsports.com.

To read a complete NCCU football season preview, CLICK HERE.