5 things you can’t miss during the CIAA’s last hurrah in Charlotte
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association men’s and women’s basketball tournaments have made their home in Charlotte since 2006, but 2020 will mark the CIAA’s final hoorah in the Queen City.
“We have grown with Charlotte and Charlotte has grown with us,” Suzette McQueen, senior associate commissioner of the CIAA told CharlotteFive. “The ability to have everyone is one central location has been a benefit and made the event explode.”
It previously made appearances in Norfolk, Raleigh, Durham and even Greensboro. Now, after a successful 15-year run in the Queen City, the tournament will relocate to Baltimore beginning in 2021 and will remain there for at least the next 2 years.
It started in Washington, D.C., in 1946 for the men — and women’s basketball started in the association in 1975 . With only a budget of $500 to start, the tournament has now become one of the most popular sporting tournaments for Historically Black Colleges and Universities over the last 7 decades.
This annual showcase brings the opportunity for the men’s and women’s basketball teams of Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University to take the crown of best in the league.
If you’ve never experienced the CIAA tournament or you need help deciding the best events to check out during its last run, here are five suggestions.
(1) Career Expo
If you are a recent graduate or you’re simply looking for a new career, this expo will not disappoint. Each year, organizations set up in the Charlotte Convention Center to meet students, recent alumni and local residents in hopes of matching them with their dream job or internship.
This year’s expo will take place on Feb. 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Convention Center (501 S. College St.). Onsite registration is available, but it is heavily encouraged that you register ahead of time.
(2) Fan Fest
This free, family-focused Fan Fest also takes place in the Convention Center. Imagine a vendor village with everything from body oils to custom suits, a high school band expo and a college cheerleading showcase under one roof over the course of two days.
“It’s a great event because lots of local groups and talent get the opportunity to perform in front of their families,” McQueen said. ‘It also helps a lot of local small business owners.”
In addition to the vendors and local talent, the event will also feature live performances from national recording artist Carl Thomas and singing group SWV.
(3) Games
From the beginning, this is what the tournament week has always been about. Watching the student athletes from 12 HBCUs go head-to-head to determine who the kings and queens of the court are.
Alumni from near and far will make their way to Charlotte to cheer on their alma mater while also reuniting with old classmates and friends. It’s like a big family reunion.
Early round games begin at Bojangles’ Coliseum on Feb. 25. Things will conclude with the highly-anticipated semifinals and championship game at the Spectrum Center on Feb. 28 and Feb. 29.
(4) Parties
You can expect for any and every venue around the city to host at least one tournament-related party during the week. Local promoters are gearing up to bring some of their best events yet.
If you’re wondering if the CIAA relocating to Baltimore next year will hurt Charlotte-area party companies, it won’t.
“We use CIAA to kick off our spring and summer events, but it won’t affect us much because we already have a strong following here in Charlotte,” Ryan Ali from QC Social Group told CharlotteFive. “Plus we, along with a few other promoters, have something we’re already working on to replace CIAA next year.”
(5) Step show
If you’re familiar with black Greek-letter organizations, then you know the sense of pride that the members display. On Feb. 28, members from the nine fraternities and sororities will battle it out in front of a crowd at the Convention Center. Teams from the conference’s 12 schools will display choreographed step routines to show why their fraternity or sorority is supreme.
This story was originally published February 24, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
