Experience: CIAA

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is an athletic conference consisting of eleven historically African-American institutions of higher education including my alma mater, Bowie State University and the local Johnson C. Smith University.

Established in 1912, the CIAA is the nation's oldest black athletic conference, rich in history and heritage. The CIAA is entering its ninety-sixth year of athletic competition in which they will continue to reap success and recognition on the field and on the court. The reputation, in conjunction with the academic success of the athletes, is a proud legacy for the CIAA.

The Basketball Tournament is the most popular competition of the conference and takes place in Charlotte, NC.

Some highlights of the events that I encourage you to check out include:

• The Ford Fan Experience: (Feb 24-26) will include Steve Harvey Morning Show live, cooking shows, drumline exhibition, performances by national artists including Melanie Fiona, Ginuwine and more! The experience will take place at Charlotte Convention Center.
• CIAA Stepshow Showdown: (Feb 26) Many schools take part in this annual event and is hosted by 106 & Park's Terrance J. Last year 5,000 people showed up to get crunk.
• The CIAA Career Expo (Feb 25)
• THE PARTIES are what brings most people out for this conference. I must admit that this time of the year is one of the most fun times in Charlotte. There are so many parties it is hard to pick. The official post CIAA Party is taking place at the Charlotte Convention Center and will feature The Temptations. If you want my party picks, send me an email at simonemcdowell at gmail.com.
• The actual basketball games (duh!) The women's tournament begins on Tuesday the 23rd and the men's tournament begins on Wednesday the 24th at Time Warner Cable Arena.

Please note: Moving around Uptown (where all the activities are taking place) can be frustrating with all the traffic and I would advise you to get out early for the parties. The lines are ridiculous....and it's all worth it in the end. Just plan.

For more information about the CIAA Tournament, click here.

More details on the CIAA Conference...The conference is divided into Eastern and Western Divisions in all sports except baseball. The CIAA annually sponsors 16 men's and women's championships. The eight men's championships include football, cross country, indoor track, basketball, golf, tennis, baseball, and track & field. The eight women's champions are bowling, cross country, volleyball, indoor track, basketball, softball, tennis and track & field.

source: ciaatournament.org