However, the money is still not enough to help the HBCUs compete with the rest of the DI schools. For example, Grambling State's locker rooms have/had similar quality as a poorer HS in VA. ESPN even did a story about Grambling State's and the other DI HBCUs' situation about 10 years ago, so I am not sure how much improvement there has been during that time. If enough schools leave the MEAC and SWAC, then 1 or both conferences could find themselves in a similar situation as the Great West Conference. Remember if a conference wants to retain its automatic bids to the various NCAA Tournaments, then the conference must meet certain membership requirements. Hence why the Great West eventually disbanded.