Abraham Mitchell, ‘Mr. CIAA’ and a man of many colorful suits, dies at age 95

He was a big part of the CIAA basketball tournament — along with the bands, the dance squads, and the basketball teams.

When he missed the event, as was the case in 2020, it was big news.

“I’ve always enjoyed this tournament,” Abraham Mitchell said during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament in 2016 at the Spectrum Center. “I enjoy the people.”

Mitchell, who earned the nickname “Mr. CIAA” and was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame as a fan, died Tuesday at his home in Suffolk, Virginia. He was 95.

Mitchell, also known as “Ham,” was impossible to miss at CIAA tournaments, thanks to his wardrobe of more than 100 colorful suits.

He tried to match the color of his suits to the competing teams and said he would wear a different suit in each half, to avoid showing favoritism.

“I’ve changed as many as eight times a day,” he said in 2016, when asked by a reporter how many suits he brings to the arena.

Mitchell worked as a mortician at a funeral home in the Tidewater area. He started attending the CIAA tournament when his nephew, Peter Mitchell, played at Norfolk State. When Peter moved on from college, “Ham” kept coming to the tournament — year after year.

His wardrobe always included a hat, sunglasses, and an umbrella, which he used in later years as a walking stick. He said he visited clothing stores and updated his wardrobe regularly over the years.

Wherever Mitchell went in the arena, he drew a crowd.

“I enjoy walking around and talking to people,” he said. “Everyone has a lot of fun.”

He said he felt honored in 2016 to be recognized by the CIAA — the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference — and it issued a statement Tuesday, mourning Mitchell’s death.

“It is difficult to put into words the depth of our loss, with the passing of Mr. Mitchell,” the CIAA said in its statement. “Mr. Mitchell will forever hold a cherished place in the CIAA family, having created countless beautiful memories for our fans, students and partners over the span of more than four decades.”

Family members told media outlets Tuesday that Mitchell had stopped attending the tournament in recent years, as his health slowly declined.

The tournament was played in Charlotte from 2006 to 2020, then after a break in 2021 due to COVID-19, it was moved in 2022 to Baltimore.