Charlotte, NC - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) held its annual spring meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 14-16, which was attended by Directors of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrators, Faculty Athletics Representatives, Management Council, and the Board of Directors from the CIAA's soon-to-be 13 member institutions.

The CIAA welcomed Claflin University administrators to participate in the spring meetings with their highly anticipated full-time membership effective July 1, 2018.

The three-day event included a General Assembly gathering to recap the strides made conference-wide during the past year and recognition of the conference's highest administrative and team awards during the End-of-Year Awards Reception. Meanwhile, each association hosted their own individual meeting to prepare for the 2018-19 academic year.

The below topics were discussed by the CIAA Board of Directors, which is comprised of the CIAA Presidents and Chancellors.

Championship Locations

The Board agreed that all championships will remain in the three-year north/south rotation, except for the contractually obligated Football and Basketball championships in Salem, VA and Charlotte, NC, respectively. The conference will bid out to institutions interested in hosting during the southern rotation for the upcoming 2018-19 term.

The Board accepted the recommendation of the long-range planning committee to modify the ticket strategy for the tournament to require schools to use the ticket microsites to sell tickets. This will ensure consistency in pricing and revenue collection and allow the CIAA to manage ticket strategies that will benefit all institutions and the conference. The Board reviewed the annual Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament, hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina. They will evaluate and determine whether the Conference will move forward with a request for a formal bid proposal.

Conference Streaming Platform

The Board provided full support in the collaboration of a conference streaming platform for distribution of live video events online This move will allow the conference to grow its viewership and fan base, extend the brand of the CIAA and its membership, and allow the institutions to tell their own story. The move to a consolidated network will help to ensure a quality and consistent product across all schools and could provide an additional revenue stream in the future with potential sponsorships.

Two-Year Waivers

The Board reviewed and amended the current language and process to support the recommendation submitted by the Compliance Directors' Association. As a result, the signature of the releasing institutions' President/Chancellor will no longer be necessary and will assist in reducing the delay of this process.

Sport Sponsorship/Expansion

Claflin University will join the conference on July 1, 2018 with the intent of adding two additional sports over the next two years. Chowan will remain a full member until June 20, 2019 and become an associate member in football and women's bowling effective July 1, 2019.
 

Conference Budget

The Board reviewed and approved the income and expenses of the conference for the 2017-18 fiscal year, as submitted by the Budget and Finance Committee. The budget for the 2018-19 season includes approved football and basketball officials' fees increases, the streaming platform subscription, and the annual schedule of assessed membership fees. The CIAA, a non-profit organization, continues to rely on its annual basketball tournament which accounts for 60% of the conference's financial support.
 

Board Transitions

The CIAA welcomed new members to the Board with a brief orientation on Tuesday, May 15. New Board members include Dr. Henry Tisdale (Claflin) and President Clarence Armbrister (JCSU) and incoming chancellors Dr. Kerrie Dixon (ECSU) and Dr. Kirk Peterson (Chowan). The CIAA also celebrated the service and leadership of Dr. Thomas Conway (ECSU) and Dr. White (Chowan) as they close out their tenures in higher education.
 

For more official conference updates, follow the conference on Facebook (The CIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), and Instagram (@CIAASports) or visit www.theciaa.com.

About the CIAA

Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
 

Bri Funte

Charlotte, NC (May 31, 2018) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) made a significant impact during the 13th hosting of its annual men's and women's basketball tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This year's tournament delivered record attendances at many of the conference's annual community service events, crowned Virginia Union University men's and women's basketball teams as tournament champions and created welcoming atmospheres both in-arena and at other official events, while boosting the local economy.

CIAA Tournament By The Numbers

Approximately, $1.6 million were raised in scholarship funds for current and future students to receive an education across the CIAA's 12-member institutions. These dollars are generated from support provided by our sponsors, alumni and fans who purchase tickets, and tax dollars generated from visitors traveling to town to be a part of the CIAA tournament experience.


According to the 2018 CIAA Post-Tournament survey and economic impact report conducted by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority:
•$28.8 million in direct spending was made by visitors on hotel accommodations, local transportation, food, shopping and entertainment during their tournament week stay
•$9.7 million in indirect spending was made by local businesses who increased their advertising and communications efforts, and purchases of miscellaneous supplies and services to meet the incremental demand of CIAA tournament visitors
•$12 million in labor wages were earned by the high volume of workers needed to support activities during tournament week and re-spent by those employees within the local economy.

These figures combine for a total economic impact of $50.5 million, which is a 6.5 percent increase from 2017, and supportive of 436 jobs.
 

"This year's tournament was truly a homecoming celebration for CIAA students, alumni and fans," said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. "We are grateful for the continuous support of our alumni and fans who attend from near and far, member institutions, and local and national partnerships. The combined efforts play a key role in the annual successes of the CIAA Basketball Tournament, and we look forward to forging stronger partnerships with the hospitality community to ensure that the support of our alumni and fans can benefit our CIAA institutions."


For the second year, the conference held early round games sessions at Bojangles' Coliseum on Tuesday and Wednesday and continued with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship finals at Spectrum Center on Thursday through Saturday. The collective game attendance for both venues was 73,343—a 5.8 percent increase from 2017.

"We are pleased with the continued growth we've been able to achieve by moving our early-round games to Bojangles' Coliseum," stated Dr. James Anderson, Chairman of the CIAA Board of Directors. "Not only have we created an exciting atmosphere for our student-athletes, alumni, and fans; but we've been able to deepen our relationships and persistently expand our engagement within the communities outside of Uptown Charlotte."

CIAA Supports The Community

Throughout tournament week, CIAA staff, student-athletes, and corporate partners demonstrated their commitment to service through CIAA Supports community initiatives.

Approximately 5,544 high and middle school students from Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and surrounding counties were reached during the annual CIAA Education Day program. Approximately 537 high school seniors were admitted to CIAA member institutions on-site.

Approximately 95 volunteers, including 40 student-athletes, distributed 800 pairs of new shoes to Nathaniel Alexander Elementary students. This initiative was a part of the 4th Annual Shoes of Hope project in partnership with Samaritan's Feet and Coke Zero.

The CIAA Career Expo drew a record crowd of 550 attendees, providing over 60 vendors inclusive of employers and recruiters with the opportunity to meet recent graduates, graduation candidates, current students from CIAA member schools and area universities, as well as local residents seeking job opportunities.

The CIAA Minority Business & Leadership Symposium drew in 215 minority and small business owners, and featured a panel discussion of candid conversations with business leaders on building and achieving generational wealth and prosperity through business ownership. President & CEO of Black Enterprise, Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., delivered a keynote address to attendees. The CIAA also provided leadership development training to 40 of its student-athlete leaders from across all 12-member institutions.

The 2018 John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame ceremony welcomed 508 attendees who celebrated the four individual inductees and the 13 members of the 1967 WSSU men's basketball team (under the leadership of legendary Head Coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines) into the new class.

Toyota Fan Fest and Super Saturday, part of the tournament's annual lineup of free activities for families, welcomed over 23,000 students, alumni, and fans to the Charlotte Convention Center.

CIAA Tournament Remains in Charlotte

The 2019 CIAA Tournament will be held in Charlotte from February 26 to March 2, 2019.

Early-round basketball games will be played at Bojangles' Coliseum on February 26 and 27, followed by quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals competitions at Spectrum Center from February 28 to March 2.

The conference plans to continue building upon its past year's efforts of weaving the Charlotte community and beyond into the fabric of the CIAA experience from basketball games and family-friendly activities to community programs that focus on components such as employment, diversity and inclusion, and entrepreneurship.

For more information about the upcoming 2019 CIAA Tournament and the conference, visit CIAATournament.org and TheCIAA.com.

About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 16 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
 

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Winston-Salem State senior designated hitter Samantha Gibbs earned yet another post-season honor when she was named to the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association (NCCSIA) College Division All-State team. She took home second team honors after a great season with the Rams.

She battled through injury to remain one of the top hitters on the Rams this season. She finished season with a .298 batting average that included 28 hits in 94 at-bats. She recorded six doubles with five home runs and totaled 24 RBI. For her efforts, she was a first team Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) All-Conference selection.


For more information on Rams softball  log on to www.WSSURams.com.
 

Trevin Q. Goodwin

WINSTON-SALEM, NC – The Winston-Salem State Rams baseball program continues to rake in the honors with senior third base Emilio Abreu and junior centerfielder Randy Norris both earning spots on the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information College Division All-State Team. Abreu earned first team honors while Norris earned second team honors.

Abreu took home the honors after a great senior season with the Rams. He finished the season with a .402 batting average and 41 RBI along with a team-high 10 home runs. He also added 10 doubles with a triple. The honor goes along with being named to the Independent Collegiate Baseball Athletic Association (ICAA) All-Conference team, the ABCA/Rawling All-Region team, the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team, and the NBCWA All-Region team.

Norris’ honor comes at the heels of several tremendous honors as well. After leading the team with a .437 batting average that included five doubles, five triples, and four home runs. He also totaled 28 RBI. He was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 19th round of the Major League Baseball draft. He was also named the ICAA Player of the Year and earned D2CCA All-Atlantic Region honors, as well as ABCA/Rawlings All-Region honors as well.