Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Explained

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
Color:
  1. 0054a4;
Font Color:white
Founded:1912
Association:NCAA
Division:Division II
Teams:13
Sports:14
Mens:6
Womens:8
Region:Mid-Atlantic states,
South Atlantic states
Formerly:Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Headquarters:Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
Commissioner:Jacqie McWilliams
Since:2012
Map:Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, coverage map2.png
Map Size:250

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level, whose member institutions consist entirely of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).[1]

The thirteen member institutions reside primarily along the central portion of the East Coast of the United States, in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Since a majority of the members are in North Carolina, the CIAA moved its headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina from Hampton, Virginia in August 2015.[2]

The CIAA sponsors 14 annual championships and divides into north and south divisions for some sports. The most notable CIAA sponsored championship is the CIAA Basketball Tournament having become one of the largest college basketball events in the nation.Web site: 'We go perfect together': CIAA basketball tournament is coming to Baltimore, bringing spirit and tourism with it . February 21, 2022 .

History

The CIAA, founded on the campus of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) in 1912, is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the United States. It was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in December 1950. The conference composes predominantly of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) spanning the east coast from Pennsylvania to South Carolina.

Founding leaders were Allen Washington and Charles H. Williams of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University); Ernest J. Marshall of Howard University; George Johnson of Lincoln University (PA); W. E. Atkins, Charles Frazier, and H. P. Hargrave of Shaw University; and J. W. Barco and J. W. Pierce of Virginia Union University.[3]

Football experiences a major resurgence after going through a period of decline at several member universities. Football was absent from the campus of Saint Augustine's University for nearly three decades, before the administration reinstated it in 2002. Shaw University then brought back its football program in 2003, following a hiatus of 24 years.[4]

Lincoln University, a charter member, added varsity football in 2008 and was readmitted to the CIAA after nearly three decades in Division III. Chowan University joined the CIAA in 2008 for football only. On October 14, 2008, the CIAA Board of Directors admitted Chowan as a full member effective July 1, 2009, the first non-HBCU to play in the conference.[5]

On August 27, 2012, the CIAA announced the appointment of Jacqie Carpenter, the first African-American female commissioner to hold the position.[6]

In 2014, a collection of records, including the original 1912 documents leading to the formation of the CIAA and meeting minutes from 1913 to 1922, were sold at auction after being discovered in a storage locker. The lot sold for $11,500 to an unnamed bidder.[7]

On May 22, 2018, Chowan University announced its athletic department will realign with the Conference Carolinas as a full member while maintaining an associate relationship with the CIAA for both football and women's bowling.[8]

Chronological timeline

Member schools

Current members

The CIAA currently has 13 full members, seven are public schools and six are private schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedColors
Bluefield State UniversityBluefield, West Virginia1895Public1,301Big Blue1932;
2023
Bowie State UniversityBowie, Maryland1865Public6,275Bulldogs1979
Claflin UniversityOrangeburg, South Carolina1869United Methodist1,830Panthers2018
Elizabeth City State UniversityElizabeth City, North Carolina1891Public2,166Vikings1957
Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville, North Carolina1867Public6,787Broncos1954
Johnson C. Smith UniversityCharlotte, North Carolina1867Presbyterian1,093Golden Bulls1926
Lincoln UniversityOxford, Pennsylvania1854Public1,824Lions1912;
2008
Livingstone CollegeSalisbury, North Carolina1879A.M.E. Church839Blue Bears1931
Raleigh, North Carolina1867Episcopal960Falcons1933
Shaw UniversityRaleigh, North Carolina1865Baptist1,067Bears1912
Virginia State UniversityEttrick, Virginia1882Public4,592Trojans1920
Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, Virginia1865Baptist1,854Panthers1912
Winston–Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, North Carolina1892Public5,226Rams1945;
2010
Notes:

Former members

The CIAA had 12 former full members, all but 5 were public schools:

InstitutionLocationFoundedAffiliationEnrollmentNicknameJoinedLeftCurrent
conference
Chowan UniversityMurfreesboro, North Carolina1848Baptist1,316Hawks20092019Carolinas (CC)
Delaware State UniversityDover, Delaware1891Public4,768Hornets19451970nowrap Mid-Eastern (MEAC)
Hampton UniversityHampton, Virginia1868Nonsectarian4,321Pirates19121995Coastal (CAA)
Howard UniversityWashington, D.C.1867Nonsectarian9,399Bison19121970Mid-Eastern (MEAC)
Princess Anne, Maryland1886Public2,888Hawks19541970Mid-Eastern (MEAC)
Morgan State UniversityBaltimore, Maryland1867Public7,763Bears19291970Mid-Eastern (MEAC)
Norfolk State UniversityNorfolk, Virginia1935Public5,601Spartans19621996Mid-Eastern (MEAC)
North Carolina A&T State UniversityGreensboro, North Carolina1891Public13,332Aggies19241970Coastal (CAA)
North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, North Carolina1910Public8,011Eagles1928,
1980
1970,
2007
Mid-Eastern (MEAC)
Saint Paul's CollegeLawrenceville, Virginia1888EpiscopalN/ATigers19232011N/A
Virginia University of LynchburgLynchburg, Virginia1886Christian750Dragons19211954NCCAA Independent
West Virginia State UniversityInstitute, West Virginia1891Public3,100nowrap Yellow Jackets19421955Mountain East (MEC)
Notes:

Former associate members

The CIAA had one former associate member, which was also a private school:

Notes:

Membership timeline

DateFormat = yyyyImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20Period = from:1912 till:2035TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalPlotArea = right:5 left:5 bottom:20 top:5

Colors = id:line value:black id:Full value:rgb(0.63,0.88,0.755) # all sports id:FullxF value:rgb(0.88,0.755,0.63) # non-football id:AssocF value:rgb(0.88,0.63,0.63) # football-only id:AssocOS value:rgb(0.755,0.755,0.63) # associate

PlotData = width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

bar:1 color:Full from:1912 till:1995 text:Hampton (1912–1995)

bar:2 color:Full from:1912 till:1970 text:Howard (1912–1970)

bar:3 color:Full from:1912 till:1960 text:Lincoln (Pa.) (1912–1960) bar:3 color:Full from:2008 till:end text:(2008–present)

bar:4 color:Full from:1912 till:1979 text:Shaw (1912–present) bar:4 color:FullxF from:1979 till:2003 text: bar:4 color:Full from:2003 till:end text:

bar:5 color:Full from:1912 till:end text:Virginia Union (1912–present)

bar:6 color:Full from:1920 till:end text:Virginia State (1920–present)

bar:7 color:Full from:1921 till:1954 text:VUL (1921–1954)

bar:8 color:Full from:1923 till:2011 text:Saint Paul's (1923–2011)

bar:9 color:Full from:1924 till:1970 text:North Carolina A&T (1924–1970)

bar:10 color:Full from:1926 till:end text:Johnson C. Smith (1926–present)

bar:11 color:Full from:1928 till:1970 text:North Carolina Central (1928–1970) bar:11 color:Full from:1980 till:2007 text:(1980–2007)

bar:12 color:Full from:1929 till:1970 text:Morgan State (1929–1970)

bar:13 color:Full from:1931 till:end text:Livingstone (1931–present)

bar:14 color:Full from:1932 till:1955 text:Bluefield State (1932–1955) bar:14 color:Full from:2023 till:end text:(2023–present)

bar:15 color:Full from:1933 till:1965 text:Saint Augustine's (1933–present) bar:15 color:FullxF from:1965 till:2002 text: bar:15 color:Full from:2002 till:2024 text: bar:15 color:FullxF from:2024 till:2025 text: bar:15 color:Full from:2025 till:end text:

bar:16 color:Full from:1942 till:1955 text:West Virginia State (1942–1955)

bar:17 color:Full from:1945 till:1970 text:Delaware State (1945–1970)

bar:18 color:Full from:1945 till:2006 text:Winston–Salem State (1945–2006) bar:18 color:Full from:2010 till:end text:(2010–present)

bar:19 color:Full from:1954 till:end text:Fayetteville State (1954–present)

bar:20 color:Full from:1954 till:1970 text:Maryland–Eastern Shore (1954–1970)

bar:21 color:Full from:1957 till:end text:Elizabeth City State (1957–present)

bar:22 color:Full from:1962 till:1996 text:Norfolk State (1962–1996)

bar:23 color:Full from:1979 till:end text:Bowie State (1979–present)

bar:24 color:AssocF from:2008 till:2009 text:Chowan (2009–2019) bar:24 color:Full from:2009 till:2019 bar:24 color:AssocOS from:2019 till:2021 bar:24 color:AssocF from:2021 till:2023

bar:25 color:FullxF from:2018 till:end text:Claflin (2018–present)

bar:N color:powderblue from:1912 till:1950 text:Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association bar:N color:blue from:1950 till:end text:Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1915

Sports

A divisional format is used for basketball (M / W), bowling, softball, tennis (W), and volleyball.
width=50%
  • Bluefield State
  • Bowie State
  • Elizabeth City State
  • Lincoln
  • Virginia State
  • Virginia Union
width=50%
  • Claflin
  • Fayetteville State
  • Johnson C. Smith
  • Livingstone
  • Saint Augustine's
  • Shaw
  • Winston-Salem State

Men's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBasketballCross
Country
FootballGolfTrack
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
Total
CIAA
Sports
Bluefield State6
Bowie State5
Claflin4
Elizabeth City State4
Fayetteville State4
Johnson C. Smith6
Lincoln5
Livingstone6
Saint Augustine's5
Shaw3
Virginia State6
Virginia Union6
Winston-Salem State4
Totals13131199965

Women's sponsored sports by school

SchoolBasketballBowling Cross
Country
SoftballTennisTrack
& Field
Indoor
Track
& Field
Outdoor
VolleyballTotal
CIAA
Sports
Bluefield State8
Bowie State8
Claflin6
Elizabeth City State6
Fayetteville State7
Johnson C. Smith8
Lincoln6
Livingstone8
Saint Augustine's6
Shaw7
Virginia State8
Virginia Union8
Winston-Salem State7
Totals1391313911121393

Other sponsored sports by school

SchoolMenWomen
BaseballLacrosseSoccerTennisWrestlingGolfLacrosseSoccerWrestling
Bluefield StateINDINDCCINDINDSACC
ClaflinPBC
Johnson C. SmithIND
LincolnCACCCACC
ShawINDINDIND
Virginia StateINDINDINDINDINDIND

Conference facilities

SchoolFootballBasketball
StadiumCapacityArenaCapacity
Bluefield StateMitchell StadiumNed E. Shott Gym
Bowie StateBulldog StadiumA.C. Jordan Arena
ClaflinEdward Tullis Arena
Elizabeth City StateRoebuck StadiumR. L. Vaughn Center
Fayetteville StateLuther "Nick" Jeralds StadiumFelton J. Capel Arena
Johnson C. SmithIrwin Belk ComplexBrayboy Gymnasium
LincolnLincoln University StadiumManuel Rivero Hall
LivingstoneAlumni Memorial StadiumWilliam Trent Gymnasium
Saint Augustine'sGeorge Williams Athletic ComplexEmery Gymnasium
ShawDurham County StadiumC.C. Spaulding Gym
Virginia StateRogers StadiumVSU Multi-Purpose Center
Virginia UnionHovey FieldBarco-Stevens Hall
Winston–Salem StateBowman Gray StadiumC.E. Gaines Center

CIAA Basketball Tournament

See also: CIAA women's basketball tournament.

The CIAA is the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on ESPN. Over 100,000 fans and spectators are in attendance annually and it has become one of the largest college basketball events in the nation. During the week of the tournament, there are many high-profile social and celebratory events associated with the event.[9] [10] The last day of the tournament is known as "Super Saturday" in which the men's and women's tournament champions are crowned. For 15 years, the tournament had an annual $55 million economic impact on Charlotte, North Carolina and was consistently the largest event held in the city every year.[11] The conference was offered better incentives to move it to Baltimore, Maryland, in 2021,[12] [13] where it will remain at least through 2025.[14]

YearChampion[15] Venue (Location)[16]
1946North Carolina CollegeTurner's Arena (Washington, DC)
1947Virginia StateTurner's Arena (Washington, DC)
1948West Virginia StateTurner's Arena (Washington, DC)
1949West Virginia StateUline Arena (Washington, DC)
1950North Carolina CentralUline Arena (Washington, DC)
1951Virginia UnionUline Arena (Washington, DC)
1952Virginia UnionHurt Gymnasium (Baltimore, MD)
1953Winston-Salem StateMcDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
1954Virginia UnionMcDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
1955Virginia UnionMcDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
1956Maryland StateMcDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
1957Winston-Salem StateMcDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
1958North Carolina A&TMcDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
1959North Carolina A&TMcDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
1960Winston-Salem StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1961Winston-Salem StateWar Memorial Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1962North Carolina A&TWar Memorial Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1963Winston-Salem StateWar Memorial Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1964North Carolina A&TGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1965Norfolk StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1966Winston-Salem StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1967North Carolina A&TGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1968Norfolk StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1969Elizabeth City StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1970Winston-Salem StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1971Norfolk StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1972Norfolk StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1973Fayetteville StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1974Norfolk StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1975Norfolk StateGreensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
1976Norfolk StateHampton Coliseum (Hampton, VA)
1977Winston-Salem StateHampton Coliseum (Hampton, VA)
1978Norfolk StateHampton Coliseum (Hampton, VA)
1979Virginia UnionNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1980Virginia UnionNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1981Elizabeth City StateNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1982HamptonNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1983HamptonNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1984Norfolk StateNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1985Virginia UnionNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1986Norfolk StateRichmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
1987Virginia UnionRichmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
1988Virginia StateNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1989Virginia StateNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1990Norfolk StateNorfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
1991HamptonRichmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
1992Virginia UnionRichmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
1993Virginia UnionRichmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
1994Virginia UnionLJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1995Virginia UnionLJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1996Norfolk StateLJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1997Saint Augustine'sLJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1998Virginia UnionLJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
1999Winston-Salem StateLJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
2000Winston-Salem StateEntertainment & Sports Arena (Raleigh, NC)
2001Johnson C. SmithEntertainment & Sports Arena (Raleigh, NC)
2002ShawEntertainment & Sports Arena (Raleigh, NC)
2003Bowie StateRBC Center (Raleigh, NC)
2004Virginia UnionRBC Center (Raleigh, NC)
2005Virginia UnionRBC Center (Raleigh, NC)
2006Virginia UnionCharlotte Bobcats Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2007Elizabeth City StateCharlotte Bobcats Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2008Johnson C. SmithCharlotte Bobcats Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2009Johnson C. SmithTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2010Saint Augustine'sTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2011ShawTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2012Winston-Salem StateTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2013Bowie StateTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2014LivingstoneTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2015LivingstoneTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2016Virginia StateTime Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
2017Bowie StateBojangles' Coliseum (Charlotte, NC)
Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)
2018Virginia UnionBojangles' Coliseum (Charlotte, NC)
Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)
2019Virginia StateBojangles' Coliseum (Charlotte, NC)
Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)
2020Winston-Salem StateBojangles' Coliseum (Charlotte, NC)
Spectrum Center (Charlotte, NC)
2022Fayetteville StateRoyal Farms Arena (Baltimore, MD)
2023Winston-Salem StateRoyal Farms Arena (Baltimore, MD)

CIAA cheerleading

One of the signature events of "Super Saturday" at the CIAA Basketball Tournament is the Cheer Exhibition. At the exhibition, CIAA cheer squads showcase elaborate routines to entertain spectators and display their talents.[17] [18] Every cheerleading team in the CIAA is a "Stomp-N-Shake" squad which is a unique style of cheer that is most common among historically Black colleges and schools located in the East Coast region.

The CIAA is one of the only conferences in the country that has an annual All-Conference Cheerleading Team. The All-Conference Cheerleading Team is a recognition bestowed on select cheerleaders in the conference that exemplify the epitome of school spirit, leadership, athleticism, and academic excellence.[19]

InstitutionSquad name
Bluefield State UniversityThe "Beautiful Blue"
Bowie State UniversityThe "Golden Girls"
Claflin UniversityThe "Panther Dolls"
Elizabeth City State UniversityThe "D'Lytes"
Fayetteville State University"Cheer Phi Smoov"
Johnson C. Smith UniversityThe "Luv-A-Bulls"
Lincoln UniversityThe "Fe Fe's"
Livingstone CollegeThe "La La's"
Saint Augustine's UniversityThe "Bluechips"
Shaw UniversityThe "Chi Chi's"
Virginia State UniversityThe "Woo Woo's"
Virginia Union UniversityThe "Rah Rah's"
Winston-Salem State UniversityThe "Powerhouse of Red and White"

Notes and References

  1. Web site: About the CIAA .
  2. Web site: Burkins. Glenn. CIAA headquarters will move to Charlotte; tournament stays 6 more years. Qcitymetro.com. March 3, 2014. August 4, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150916172859/http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/articles/ciaa_will_move_headquarters_to_charlotte_keep_tournament_here_for_another_6_years040455760.cfm. September 16, 2015.
  3. Raymond Schmidt, Shaping College Football: The Transformation of an American Sport, 1919–1930 (Syracuse University Press, 2007) p133
  4. Web site: NCCU Eagles Fan Forum!-Shaw and St. Augustine's Football 2002 . August 16, 2002 .
  5. Web site: CIAA votes to add Chowan as a full member for 2009 - Restoration NewsMedia . October 15, 2008 .
  6. Web site: Carpenter Named New CIAA Commissioner. Abclocal.go.com. August 27, 2012. August 27, 2012.
  7. Web site: Saunders: This CIAA treasure trove fails to bring in big money at auction. February 26, 2014. February 26, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140308194909/http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/02/26/3656365/saunders-this-ciaa-treasure-trove.html#storylink=cpy. March 8, 2014.
  8. Web site: Chowan Announces Conference Realignment. gocuhawks.com. May 22, 2018. August 27, 2018.
  9. Web site: 2007 CIAA Tournament Week is Largest Ever. CIAA. April 2, 2007. August 4, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150922154401/http://www.theciaa.com/news/2006-07/tournament_impact040407. September 22, 2015. dead.
  10. Web site: Marusakjmarusak. Joe. CIAA basketball tournament declared an 'extraordinary event'. The Charlotte Observer. February 23, 2016. September 1, 2016.
  11. Web site: CIAA brings big business to uptown Charlotte. February 24, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034351/http://legacy.wcnc.com/story/money/2016/02/22/ciaa-brings-big-business-uptown-charlotte/80774354/. March 4, 2016. February 22, 2016.
  12. News: CIAA tournament to leave Charlotte for Baltimore in 2021. WBTV.com. January 7, 2019. January 15, 2019.
  13. News: 75th CIAA tournament to be 15th, final year in Charlotte. WSOCTV.com. January 10, 2020. March 1, 2020.
  14. News: CIAA extends contract with Baltimore to host basketball tournament through 2025 . June 1, 2022 . . June 1, 2022 . en.
  15. Web site: All-Time CIAA Men's Basketball Champions. Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. March 8, 2022.
  16. Web site: CIAA Basketball Tournament Site History. Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. March 8, 2022.
  17. Web site: CIAA Basketball Tournament Preview. Charlotte's got a lot. October 25, 2017. September 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170921042409/http://www.charlottesgotalot.com/2016-CIAA-Tournament-Preview. dead.
  18. Web site: SAU BlueChips Perform Well At CIAA Cheerleading Competition On Super Saturday. Saint Augustine's University. October 25, 2017. March 1, 2015. September 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170920190742/http://saintaugfalcons.com/news/2015/3/1/GEN_0301153046.aspx. live.
  19. News: 2018–19 All-CIAA Cheerleading Team. CIAA. January 11, 2019. December 1, 2019.