CIAA Tournament is Moving to Baltimore, MD in 2021.
To start off let's answer the biggest question many people will have.
What is the CIAA?
CIAA stands for Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and was found in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The CIAA was founded to regulate athletics for historically black institutions. Currently, there are 13 schools that are members of this conference.
What are the schools?
CIAA CONFERENCE:
Bowie State University
Chowan University
Elizabeth City State University
Fayetteville State University
Johnson C. Smith University
Lincoln University
Livingstone College
Saint Augustine's University
Shaw University
Virginia State University
Virginia Union University
Winston-Salem State University
The CIAA basketball tournament has been hosted in Charlotte, NC for the past 13 years generating millions of dollars in economic growth for the Queen City. As of 2021, the CIAA board has elected to move the tournament to Baltimore, MD.
Many people hear CIAA and all they think of is a week of partying. A lot of people has lost sight of want the tournament is and the history behind it. Over the past 7-8 years that I have been able to enjoy the tournament, I've noticed a decrease in the number of people actually attending the basketball games. More people have been concerned with the events surrounding the tournament instead of the actual games themselves. Could this be the reason the tournament is moving? Or is it just the time since Charlotte has hosted for the past 13 years. At this time there has been no confirmation as to why the move is happening, but it is happening.
When does it start?
Starting Monday, February 25th through Saturday, March 2nd the Charlotte will be flooded with CIAA goers coming to support their schools and enjoy the events surrounding the tournament. I encourage everyone to check out the CIAA website: https://theciaa.com and learn more about the history behind the tournament. Even go out and see some of the games instead of just attending the events surrounding the tournament.
Why should I go?
2019 and 2020 are only two years left for NC natives to do so with relative ease until the move to Baltimore. From that point, there is no telling how long it will be in MD, or when ( if ever) they will come back to Charlotte/NC. This tournament is one of a kind cultural experience that should not be passed up!