Thank you to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) family for joining us for the 2026 Food Lion CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. We are celebrating our fifth year in Baltimore, “the Charm City”.  As we gather once again, we do so with deep pride in our legacy and great excitement for the future of the CIAA. 

 

This tournament continues to stand as a cornerstone of excellence for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), celebrating generations of student-athletes, coaches, administrators, alumni, fans, and partners who have shaped our conference into a national treasure. The CIAA is more than a competition; it reflects resilience, leadership, culture, and community. Each year, this moment reminds us of the power of sport to unite, inspire, and elevate our communities. 

 

The CIAA remains the only HBCU conference to have won multiple NCAA Division II men’s and women’s basketball national championships, a testament to the competitive excellence and enduring impact of our institutions in the nation. We are proud of the strides we continue to make in advancing equity, visibility, and opportunity particularly in the women’s game through enhanced media exposure, equitable scheduling, and intentional storytelling that honors our past, present, and future. 

 

Our commitment extends beyond the court. We are leaders dedicated to providing access, opportunities, and pathways to success for all who engage with our conference students, alumni, sponsors, and community partners alike. We proudly celebrate leaders and legends who exemplify the very best of the CIAA spirit, while continuing to invest in the next generation who will carry our legacy forward as presidents, commissioners, coaches, educators, creatives, and changemakers. 

 

As we come together this week, we recognize our shared responsibility as gatekeepers and stewards of the CIAA. This tournament is not just an event it is a reunion; it is an experience. It is a celebration of Black excellence that is shared across the world. It is an opportunity to showcase the profound impact our HBCUs have on sports, tourism, culture, and society, while uplifting the host community that welcomes us each year. 

Thank you for being part of this extraordinary experience. This week, let us celebrate our men’s and women’s basketball programs, honor our history, embrace the present, and boldly step into the future together.  

 

Remember, the CIAA is a community, a reunion, and a family. The CIAA is you, and together we are “CIAA for Life”. 

CIAA For Life, 

 

Jacqie McWilliams Parker, Commissioner 
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®)