The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a highly respected collegiate conference comprising 12 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across seven states. The conference was established in 1912 and has since become the premier African American athletic organization in the US.

The Member Institutions and Sports within the CIAA

The 12 member schools that make up the CIAA include Bowie State University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, Winston-Salem State University, and for the 2021 season, Chowan University.

The conference sponsors competition in men’s and women’s sports across 16 divisions, comprised of basketball, cross country, football, tennis, and volleyball. Football is the largest and most popular sport within the conference, and CIAA football teams have made numerous notable achievements in Division II of the NCAA.

Notable Achievements and Rivalries

CIAA teams have a noteworthy history of success. The conference has produced 11 NFL Pro Bowlers to date, including Hall of Famers Rayfield Wright, Ken Houston, and Joe Perry. Over the years, CIAA teams have captured a total of 11 National Championships and 27 NCAA Tournaments. Some of the most famous and fiercely contested rivalries in the conference include Bowie State and Virginia Union, Maryland Eastern Shore and Norfolk State, and Saint Augustine’s and Winston-Salem State.

Operations and Governance of the CIAA

The CIAA is governed by a three-member Executive Committee, consisting of the Board of Directors, Commissioners, and Presidents of the member schools. The Commissioner is the chief administrative officer of the conference and is responsible for determining the rules and regulations governing the sport seasons, as well as conducting the annual CIAA basketball tournament.

Throughout the season, all member schools compete in round-robin match-ups to determine regular-season standings. At the end of the regular season, each team competes in the CIAA Championship Tournament, culminating with the CIAA Basketball Championship. The tournament has been held annually for over 50 years, and is one of the most anticipated events in college sports.

Role and Impact of the CIAA

The CIAA is widely recognized as one of the most successful and pioneering African American athletic conferences in the country. The conference has played an essential role in preserving and cultivating African American collegiate culture, tradition, and history. CIAA athletes have gone on to inspire generations of young African American athletes and have had a profound impact on the national landscape of college sports.

Looking to the Future of the CIAA

In recent years, the CIAA has seen a number of promising trends that have given the conference increased visibility and sparked further growth. The addition of Chowan University in 2021 brought the conference to a total of 12 teams, while ongoing efforts to improve facilities and increase exposure have included enlarged television partnerships with entertainment outlets such as ESPN, NBC Sports, and Fox Sports.

The future of the CIIA looks bright as the conference continues to expand and develop its member institutions. With its ongoing commitment to excellence and achievement in collegiate athletics, the CIIA has positioned itself as one of the premier athletic destinations in the US.