
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level. The CIAA is the first NCAA Division II conference to televise its tournament on ESPN during Championship Week. The CIAA was founded in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association and its 13 member institutions are historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) along the East Coast of the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Original Name | Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Year of Founding | 1912 |
| Members | Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), Howard University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania; Shaw University and Virginia Union University |
| Current Members | 13 |
| Member States | Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Annual Championships | 14 |
| Divisions | North and South |
| First Division II Conference Televised on ESPN | CIAA |
| Annual Attendance | Over 100,000 fans and spectators |
| Signature Event | Cheer Exhibition |
| Notable Commissioner | Jacqie Carpenter, the first African-American female commissioner |
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What You'll Learn

CIAA Basketball Tournament
The CIAA, or the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level. The CIAA basketball tournament is one of the largest college basketball events in the nation, with over 100,000 fans and spectators in attendance annually. The tournament has a significant economic impact on the host city, generating an annual economic impact of $55 million during its time in Charlotte, North Carolina. The CIAA was the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on ESPN.
The CIAA was founded in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association, with charter members including Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), Howard University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Shaw University, and Virginia Union University. The association's name was changed to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1950. The member institutions of the CIAA consist entirely of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), with 13 members residing primarily along the central portion of the East Coast of the United States, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The CIAA sponsors 14 annual championships and divides into north and south divisions for some sports. The basketball tournament is the most notable championship sponsored by the CIAA. The last day of the tournament is known as "Super Saturday," where the men's and women's tournament champions are crowned. "Super Saturday" includes signature events such as the Cheer Exhibition.
The CIAA tournament is also known for its associated high-profile social and celebratory events during the week of the tournament. In 2021, the tournament moved from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Baltimore, Maryland, due to better incentives offered by the latter. The CIAA has had a significant impact on college athletics and the host cities, with its basketball tournament becoming one of the most anticipated and celebrated events in college sports.
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CIAA History
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level. The CIAA was founded in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), with its original charter members including Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), Howard University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Shaw University, and Virginia Union University. The association's name changed to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1950.
The CIAA is the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on ESPN. The tournament has become one of the largest college basketball events in the nation, with over 100,000 fans and spectators in attendance annually. During the week of the tournament, various high-profile social and celebratory events are held, with the last day known as "Super Saturday", when the men's and women's tournament champions are crowned. For 15 years, the tournament had a significant economic impact on Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing in an estimated $55 million each year and consistently being the city's largest annual event. In 2021, the CIAA moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where it is set to remain until at least 2025.
The CIAA's 13 member institutions are primarily historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located along the central portion of the East Coast of the United States, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Due to the majority of its members being in North Carolina, the CIAA moved its headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina, in August 2015, relocating from Hampton, Virginia.
The CIAA has a rich history, and in 2012, original documents from 1912 leading to the formation of the association, as well as meeting minutes from 1913 to 1922, were sold at auction for $11,500 to an unnamed bidder. Lincoln University, a charter member, added varsity football in 2008 and was readmitted to the CIAA after nearly three decades in Division III. Chowan University joined the CIAA in 2009 as its first non-HBCU member. In 2018, Chowan University's athletic department announced a realignment with the Conference Carolinas while maintaining an associate relationship with the CIAA for football and women's bowling.
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CIAA Conference Structure
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. It was founded in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in December 1950. The CIAA is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the United States and its member institutions consist entirely of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The CIAA's 13 member institutions are primarily located in the central portion of the East Coast of the United States, spanning the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
The CIAA sponsors 14 annual championships and divides into north and south divisions for some sports. The CIAA Basketball Tournament is one of the largest college basketball events in the nation, with over 100,000 fans and spectators in attendance annually. During the tournament week, various high-profile social and celebratory events are associated with the tournament, including the Cheer Exhibition, a signature event where CIAA cheer squads perform elaborate routines. The last day of the tournament is known as "Super Saturday," where the men's and women's tournament champions are crowned. For 15 years, the tournament brought an annual economic impact of $55 million to Charlotte, North Carolina, and was consistently the city's largest annual event.
The CIAA's headquarters were moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in August 2015, due to a majority of its member institutions being located in the state. However, in 2021, the conference was offered better incentives to relocate to Baltimore, Maryland, where it will remain through at least 2025.
Some notable member institutions of the CIAA include Lincoln University, a charter member that added varsity football in 2008 and was readmitted to the CIAA after nearly three decades in Division III. Chowan University joined the CIAA in 2008 for football and later became a full member, marking the first non-HBCU to play in the conference. Other charter members include Hampton University, Howard University, Shaw University, and Virginia Union University.
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CIAA Member Institutions
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II. It was founded in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association, with its current name adopted in 1950. The CIAA is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the United States and was founded on the campus of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University).
The CIAA's 13 member institutions are historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) located primarily in the central portion of the East Coast of the United States, spanning the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The majority of the members are in North Carolina, which led to the CIAA moving its headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2015.
The CIAA's original charter members included:
- Hampton Institute (now Hampton University)
- Howard University
- Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
- Shaw University
- Virginia Union University
Other member institutions that joined in subsequent years include:
- Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), which joined in the 1920–21 academic year
- Virginia Theological Seminary and College (now the Virginia University of Lynchburg), which joined in the 1921–22 academic year
- Saint Paul's Normal and Industrial School (later Saint Paul's Polytechnic Institute and then Saint Paul's College), which joined in the 1923–24 academic year
- The Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina (now North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University), which joined in the 1924–25 academic year
- Chowan University, which joined in 2008 for football and became a full member in 2009
The CIAA has also had former full members, including Delaware State and Saint Augustine's, whose membership was suspended and later terminated in the 2024–25 academic year due to non-compliance with conference requirements.
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CIAA Social Events
The CIAA, or the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, hosts a variety of social events alongside its basketball tournaments. These events range from parties to educational workshops and are held in various cities, with some events taking place in Baltimore. Here is a list of some CIAA social events:
CIAA Party Events
CIAA hosts a range of parties, including the CIAA ALL ACCESS PARTY, the C.I. WEEKEND PARTY, and the CIAA Stepshow "Throwdown" presented by Wells Fargo. These events offer an opportunity for attendees to socialise and celebrate the CIAA tournament.
CIAA Fan Fest
CIAA Fan Fest is a two-day event featuring vendor and sponsor activations, family-friendly entertainment, and giveaways. It is a chance for fans to engage with the tournament sponsors and partners and enjoy interactive activities.
CIAA Super Saturday
CIAA Super Saturday includes the CIAA Cheerleading Exhibition and the Mister & Miss CIAA Pageant presented by Food Lion. It is a showcase of talent and spirit, with cash prizes and bragging rights for the winners.
CIAA Youth Sports Clinic
The CIAA Youth Sports Clinic is designed for student-athletes, offering them a holistic experience. It includes a healthy breakfast, discussions on longevity in collegiate sports with leaders, and workshops with local coaches and trainers to develop soft skills.
CIAA Scavenger Hunt
The CIAA Scavenger Hunt is an interactive event where fans are encouraged to visit participating businesses to win prizes, including CIAA step show tickets, official party tickets, and championship game tickets.
CIAA High School Education Day
This event is aimed at high school students and chaperones, offering an inspiring opening session with tournament leaders, sponsors, the CIAA band, and cheerleaders. It also provides educational opportunities, with vendor booths offering admission information and scholarships.
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Frequently asked questions
The CIAA stands for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. It was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association until 1950.
The CIAA is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II level. Its member institutions are historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The CIAA was founded in 1912. Its charter members included Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), Howard University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Shaw University, and Virginia Union University.









































