HAMPTON, Va. (April 1, 2026) … Hampton University Deputy Director of Athletics Alisha Tucker will be honored by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with its inaugural Guardians of the Game Award. The award recognized individuals who have made a significant impact on the world of sports. The honorees will be celebrated at the MEAC Foundation Sneaker Ball on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The Westin Virginia Beach Town Center.

The honorees represent a distinguished group of leaders and pioneers who have made meaningful contributions to sports at all levels. Their work reflects a strong commitment to excellence and a genuine dedication to advancing the athletic community. The award recognizes individuals whose efforts often take place behind the scenes, yet remain essential to every success, milestone, and achievement. 

The inaugural honorees are:

• Alisha Tucker, Hampton University
• Adeanah Pooler, Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) 
• Felicia Martin, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) 
• Melody Webb, Norfolk State University  
• Neema Conner, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) 

 
Tucker joined the Hampton Athletics Department as Deputy Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator in the spring of 2025. She served a two-year stint as the Deputy Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Maryland-Eastern Shore from 2022-24.

Tucker began her career in athletics administration at Michigan State, and had stops at Villanova, Richmond and Marshall before moving to Norfolk State She joined the Norfolk State staff in 2006 as the Assistant Athletics Director/Compliance before creating the student services area in 2010. She oversaw student services within athletics through 2019 before assuming additional duties including helping guide the Spartans through COVID protocols prior to her departure.
  
Tucker has been involved in administrative activities on the national level. She served as the interim chair of the NCAA's Accelerating Athletics Academic Success Program (AASP), which grants funds to HBCUs and other identified universities in support of academic programming for student-athletes. She was instrumental in helping NSU secure $1 million in grant funding for the department's academic initiatives for student-athletes.
 
A Hampton, Va., native, Tucker was a track & field athlete at Hampton High School, where she still holds school records. She competed as a Division I student-athlete at Virginia and she is also an active member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

The evening will provide an opportunity to connect, share memories, and celebrate these unsung heroes in an atmosphere of respect and appreciation. Guests are invited to wear cocktail attire paired with their best sneakers as they join us in honoring those who continue to shape the future of sports.