CIAA 2019: What to Expect During the Thrilling Weekend

Following the NBA All Star Weekend, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association also known as the CIAA will take over Charlotte. Last month, the CIAA made headline after announcing the tournament will be moving to Baltimore, Maryland in 2021. The city’s bid included a 1.5 million contribution to the CIAA’s scholarship fund and other financial ventures. The tournament games will be held Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena. Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams said “Our headquarters are in the city of Charlotte, so it’s easy for us to be here in the community and organize it’s less travel for us, less cost. But at the end of the day, surveys have shown that fans have wanted us to consider other sites.”

The CIAA tournament has brought in an ABUNDANT amount of money to the city of Charlotte. The tournament itself has an 50.5 million impact and attracts over 140,000 tourists. Since 2000, the CIAA has generated more than $650 million in the state of North Carolina.

The CIAA will be hosting some of its annual events and they are going above and beyond to leave Charlotte with even more money and memories.

On February 28th, the CIAA will be hosting a Career Expo from 10am from 2pm at the Charlotte Convention Center. The expo provides organizations the opportunity to network for college students and graduates, recruit for available positions and education opportunities. Some of the Vendors include Nationwide, Duke Energy, Durham Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School; Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University; and Charlotte Fire Department. That night will be the official CIAA Old School Skate party presented by Dj Cleve. The event will be from 9pm to 1am and will be hosted by 105.3 R&B host Chirl Girl. The event will take take place at Kate’s Skating Rink and you must be 21 and up to enter. On Friday, March 1st is the Step Show Throwdown hosted by MTV Wild N Out star Darren Brand. Brand will be hosting alongside Power 98 No Limit Larry and Morning Madhouse. The step show will feature sororities and fraternities of the National Pan Hellenic Council. Organizations participating are the Rho Delta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc; the Alpha chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc; Chi Tau chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc; three time CIAA Step Show champions the Upsilon chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc; the ATL Step team of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc; and the Mu Zeta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. On Saturday, March 2nd grade schools from North Carolina and Georgia will complete in the CIAA Step Show Step Off. The event also be held at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Education Day is one of the CIAA’s most popular event. It reaches more 5,000 middle and high school students. College recruiters from Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina will be on site to provide insight to the college experience and advice for the students. The high school program will recognize students who have earned 4.0 grade averages as well. Students will be able to gain access to some the events during CIAA weekend including tournament games.

The tournament consisting of 12 different schools will give Charlotte a great basketball weekend. Last year the illustrious Virginia Union University made history as both men’s and women’s basketball won the CIAA tournament! You know everyone in Richmond celebrated. Both teams will be returning to defend their titles. Leading the CIAA are the Trojans of Virginia State University. They are 20-4 overall, 12-1 in conference play, and 5-1 in the division. The only team to hand the Trojans their only lost, their good friends on I-95, the Panthers. Virginia Union defeated the number seed in Richmond with a final score of 67-75. The Panthers are 15-9 overall, 10-3 in conference play, and 4-2 division record. In third place is Bowie State University with 10-14 overall record, tied with Union in conference play, and 3-2 division record. For the women, leading the pack are the defending champions. The Lady Panthers are 20-1 overall, 6-0 in the division, and 12-1 in conference play. The only team to defeat the powerhouse is Claflin University. In second place is Bowie State University with 13-11 overall record, 7-6 in conference play, and 4-2 in the division. Now, Chowan and Bowie have proven to be a little bit of a challenge for the Panthers but have still struggled to close out games.