Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

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Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
Data
Established 1912
Members 10
Sports fielded 14 (7 men's, 7 women's)
Region South Atlantic States
States 3 - Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina
Headquarters Hampton, Virginia
Locations

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a college athletic conference made up of historically black colleges in the southeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division II. Its annual basketball tournament is one of the most successful events in the nation. The CIAA Basketball Tournament is the third most attended athletic event in collegiate sports after the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big East tournaments; and is the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on ESPN. Overall attendance at official CIAA events topped 165,000 people in 2007 – up from about 155,000 for last year’s event. Several of the teams have claimed national championships in their respective sports. Virginia Union University has claimed the National Championship in Basketball (Division II) in 1980, 1992 and 2005. Virginia Union was also the national runner-up in 2006. St. Augustine's College is also a national power in the sport of Track and Field.

Contents

[edit] History

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the United States. Founded in 1912 on the campus of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), the CIAA embodies a history rich in tradition, which epitomizes the fortitude of its 10 colleges and universities. When the conference was founded, it was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Its 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. The conference’s football legacy dates back to 1892. That year Livingstone College and Johnson C. Smith University (then Biddle University) played in the first football game between two African-American colleges. The athleticism and sportsmanship the teams exhibited on that rainy afternoon set the standard for the CIAA’s member institutions: Bowie State University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, St. Augustine's College, St. Paul’s College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Union University.

Lincoln University, PA, a charter member of the CIAA added varsity football in 2008 and is transitioning their athletic program to NCAA Division II from NCAA Division III and has been re-admitted into the CIAA. Chowan University will join the CIAA in 2008 for Football only.

[edit] Sports

The CIAA is divided into Eastern and Western Divisions in all of the sports except track and field/cross country and baseball, and sponsors 16 annual championships.

Men's Championships

  • football
  • cross-country
  • basketball
  • golf
  • track and field
  • baseball
  • tennis

Women’s Championships

  • volleyball
  • cross-country
  • basketball
  • bowling
  • track and field
  • softball
  • tennis

[edit] Member schools

Eastern Division

Western Division
Institution Location Founded Affiliation Enrollment Nickname Varsity Sports Joined
Bowie State University Bowie, Maryland 1865 Public 5,454 Bulldogs 11 1979
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, North Carolina 1891 Public 3,025 Vikings 10 1957
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, North Carolina 1867 Public 6,085 Broncos 10 1954
Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, North Carolina 1867 Private/Non-sectarian 2,500 Golden Bulls 13 1926
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

†

 Lincoln University, Pennsylvania 1854 Public/State Related 2,423 Lions 15 1912 - Re-admitted 2008
Livingstone College Salisbury, North Carolina 1879 Private/African Methodist Episcopal Zion 1,100 Blue Bears 11 1931
St. Augustine's College† Raleigh, North Carolina 1867 Private/Episcopal 1,700 Falcons 14 1933
Saint Paul's College† Lawrenceville, Virginia 1888 Private/Episcopal 750 Tigers 14 1923
Shaw University† Raleigh, North Carolina 1865 Private/Baptist 2,500 Bears 13 1912
Virginia State University Petersburg, Virginia 1882 Public 4,300 Trojans 14 1920
Virginia Union University Richmond, Virginia 1865 Private/Baptist 1,525 Panthers 12 1912

[edit] †

  • Lincoln University was a charter member in 1912, and rejoined in 2008 when the football program was reinstated after nearly five decades.
  • Saint Augustine's football program was gone for nearly three decades before it was reinstated in 2002.
  • Saint Paul's College's football program was disbanded after the 1987 season. In 2002 it was revived for 3 seasons until its 2005 reestablishment of it football program in NCAA play.
  • Shaw University had their football program reinstated in 2003 after 24 years without one.

[edit] Basketball Tournament

The CIAA annual Basketball Tournament has established itself 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.

[edit] Associate Members

  • Chowan University - Football Affiliate starting in 2008
  • Lincoln University of Pennsylvania - Football Affiliate starting in 2008

[edit] Former members

  • Virginia Seminary
  • North Carolina Central University

[edit] Current members of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference

[edit] Current members of West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[edit] Cheerleading

The CIAA cheering squads practice Stomp 'N Shake that incorporates voice, gymnastics, and dance. Over the past few decades, S-N-S has evolved into a more technical style, priding itself of precision, accuracy, and creativity. Included in this style are the techniques of up-stomp, up-step, down-stomp, kick, side-kick, roll, roll-break, power-arms, slpaz-hand, clasp, blade, and the infamous shakes(car-wash shake, single shake, double shake, hit-shake, and jiggle-pop).

SQUADS

  • Bowie State University - Cheerleaders
  • Elizabeth City State University - Dee-Lite Cheerleaders
  • Fayetteville State University - Cheer Phi Smoov Cheerleaders
  • Johnson C. Smith University - Luv-A-Bull Cheerleaders
  • Lincoln University - Cheerleaders
  • Livingstone College - La La's Cheerleaders
  • St. Augustine's College - BlueChip Cheerleaders
  • St. Paul's College - Finesse Cheerleaders
  • Shaw University - Chi Chi Cheerleaders
  • Virginia State University - Woo Woo Cheerleaders
  • Virginia Union University - Rah Rah Cheerleaders

[edit] Conference Facilities

School Football Basketball
Stadium Capacity Arena Capacity
Bowie State Bulldog Stadium 6,000 A.C. Jordan Arena 2,200
Chowan Garrison Stadium 5,000 football-only member n/a
Elizabeth City State Roebuck Stadium 6,500 R. L. Vaughn Center 5,000
Fayetteville State Luther Nick Jerald’s Stadium 6,100 Felton J. Capel Arena 4,000
Johnson C. Smith Irwin Belk Complex 4,500 Brayboy Gymnasium 2,316
Lincoln Avon Grove High School (Temporary) 3,000 Manuel Rivero Hall 2,500
Livingstone Alumni Memorial Stadium 5,500 William Trent Gymnasium 1,500
St. Augustine's Capital Stadium 3,000 Emery Gymnasium 1,000
Shaw Durham County Stadium 8,500 C.C. Spaulding Gym 1,500
St. Paul's St. Paul’s Athletic Field 3,000 Taylor-Whitehead Gym 1,500
Virginia State Rogers Stadium 13,500 Daniel Gymnasium 3,454
Virginia Union Hovey Field 10,000 Barco-Stevens Hall 2,000

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