CIAA History
Tournament History
The 63rd Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament returns to Charlotte, NC, Feb. 25 -March 1, 2008 as one of the largest and financially successful basketball tournaments in the United States. The annual tournament showcases athletic competition in men's and women's basketball during six days of play culminating with the championship game.
The CIAA has produced several of the finest players to grace the hardwood in collegiate and professional sports. The list includes NBA greats Earl "The Pearl" Monroe, Earl Lloyd, Sam Jones, Al Attles, Charles Oakley, Rick Mahorn and Ben Wallace. The accomplishments of these former student athletes are one of the thousands of great stories about the CIAA.
In addition to basketball, fans have the opportunity to attend numerous events surrounding the tournament. The variety of activities is astounding. The CIAA tournament provides the backdrop for celebrity hosted after parties, spirited student step shows, the CIAA Fan Experience, concerts, a show stopping education, networking opportunities with business professionals, reunions with alumni and the chance to meet and mingle with old friends.
Over 165,000 fans attend the 2007 CIAA tournament. As the fan base continues to grow, so does the roster of notables that can be seen at the tournament and affiliated events. The CIAA tournament has welcomed Steve Harvey (syndicated radio program), Sean Combs (a.k.a. P. Diddy, recording and apparel mogul), Earvin "Magic" Johnson (NBA Hall of Fame and entrepreneur), Vivica Fox (major motion picture actress), LL Cool J, Fantasia Bareno, Mario, Ruben Studdard and Patti LaBelle (all recording artists) as guests. The 2008 tournament is expected to produce an equally impressive list of celebrity attendees.
Increased national TV coverage and corporate partner support have contributed to the rapid growth of the CIAA tournament. Attendance for the tournament games has tripled since 1999 and the 2008 tournament is expected to generate over $2 million in scholarship funds for member colleges and universities - another one of the thousands of great stories the CIAA is proud to share.
Conference History
Long before the civil rights initiatives of the ‘60s and the affirmative action activity of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the CIAA provided America with some of its most legendary sports personalities. And it offered blacks a choice for education. Today, the conference and its member institutions continue to provide opportunities for every generation. HBCUs changed the face of our culture and the CIAA helped lead the way.
- Founded originally in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association
- Based in Hampton, VA
- America's oldest Historically Black College Conference
- Made up of 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBUs) situated along the Eastern Seaboard
Timeline of Events
1830s - First HBCUs were established in the country
1892 - Livingstone College and Johnson C. Smith University (then Biddle University) played in the first football game between two African-American colleges.
1912 - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association was founded in Hampton, VA. When the conference was founded, it was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association. It's founding fathers were Allen Washington and C.H. Williams of Hampton Institute; Ernest J. Marshall of Howard University; George Johnson of Lincoln University (PA); W.E. Atkins, Charles Frasher and H.P. Hargrave of Shaw University; and J.W. Barco and J.W. Pierce of Virginia Union University.
1920 - The Pittsburgh Courier selected the first unofficial black college basketball champions, Howard and Talledega
1927 - There were a total of 77 HBCUs enrolling almost 14,000 students
1946 - First CIAA Basketball Tournament
John B. McLendon, now known as the "Father of Black Basketball," along with Talmadge Hall, John Burr and Harry Jefferson formed the first CIAA basketball tournament in a small gymnasium in Washington, D.C. on a $500 budget. The tournament was played in Turner Arena. Many southern cities didn't want a predominantly Black collegiate conference in their venues and didn't rent to the CIAA. And when the conference finally secured Turner Arena, the players had to sleep on the floor because they weren't allowed in the hotels. Still, students and fans turned out at the gymnasium for that first tournament.
1954 - Brown V. The Board of Education desegregated public schools
1965 - The NCAA began accepting black colleges for membership
1967- NBA Hall of Famer Earl "The Pearl" Monroe played for Coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines at Winston-Salem State and helped his team win the Division-II national title.
1973 - NCAA Division II and III playoffs began
1980 - Virginia Union Panthers won the NCAA Division II Championship
1988 - CIAA Tournament moves to Richmond, VA
1989 - President George Bush issued Executive Order 12677 to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide quality education and to increase their participation in federally sponsored programs.
1990 - Leon G. Kerry is promoted to Commissioner of CIAA
1992 - The Virginia Union Panthers won the NCAA Division II Championship
1994 - CIAA Tournament moves to Winston-Salem, NC
1998 - Commissioner Leon Kerry secured the largest sponsorship package in history among HBCU conferences and Division II when Coca Cola North America signed a five year, $2 million agreement with the CIAA. He surpassed the preceding record when Coke renewed the contract at $3 million for another five years in 2003.
2000 - The CIAA2000.com website is believed to be the first college sports internet homepage developed singularly for one event, the CIAA Basketball Tournament.
2000 - The CIAA Tournament moves to Raleigh, NC
2005 - CIAA teamed up with ESPN, the nation's sports leader, to create the largest HBCU conference television package in history
2005 - The Virginia Union Panthers win the NCAA Division II Basketball Championship and visit the White House
2006 - The CIAA Tournament moves to the city of Charlotte, NC