CIAA Announces Special Events at “Homecoming” Tournaments

This month, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will host its 2018 Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C. The conference is announcing the event lineup for the “Homecoming” themed tournament featuring fan favorites, and a new addition to the schedule.

In-Arena Talent Performances: Various celebrities will perform during tournament games and just announced will be national recording artists: Dru Hill, The Hamiltones, Sevyn Streeter, Sunshine Anderson, and Olivia; local artist Gena Chambers and saxophonist Mike Phillips.

Additional performance announcements are forthcoming. Fans are encouraged to download the CIAA Basketball Tournament mobile app via iTunes and Google Play for the most updated tournament news. Game tickets are required for admission.

To purchase tickets, or for information on how to buy courtside tickets or suites, visitCIAAtournament.org/tickets. Patrons save up to 30% by purchasing a Lower Level Pass and up to 70% when an Upper Level Pass is purchased. Alumni can visit CIAAtournament.org/faq#tickets for information on how to purchase tickets directly from their member institutions.  

Game Updates: Games on February 27 and 28 will be played at Bojangles’ Coliseum, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship finals at Spectrum Center from March 1 to 3.A complimentary shuttle service will operate on February 21 and February 22 for the games being held at Bojangles’ Coliseum. For more details and parking information, visit CIAATournament.com/FAQ. 

CIAA Celebrity Charity Basketball Game: On March 3, a Celebrity Charity Basketball Game will be held at 4 p.m. between the women’s and men’s championship games, which tip-off at 1 and 7 p.m., respectively. There will be a slam dunk contest and celebrity meet and greet at each game. For admission into the celebrity game, general men’s and women’s basketball Lower Level or Upper Level Pass must be purchased.

Talent slated to attend are: Kenny Burns, lifestyle specialist and executive for Combs Enterprises; Santia Marie, certified fitness trainer; DJ Crush Groovey, deejay and host; Ali Abdullah, CEO of Claim it!, a mobile marketplace app; Desmond and Demond Faulcon, twin brothers known as the “The Highest Jumping Twins in the World;” and Nandi Taylor, former CIAA student-athlete and All-CIAA MVP.

Additional celebrity names will be announced in the coming weeks. Proceeds go to DrumsForCures, an initiative designed to raise awareness and funds for cancer organizations globally.

“We are continuously evaluating ways to improve the tournament experience for our alumni and fans,“ said CIAA commissioner, Jacqie McWilliams. “New components like the Celebrity Charity Basketball Game, mixed with traditional favorites like our action-packed games, step shows, Fan Fest and Super Saturday will create an exciting experience for alumni and fans planning to attend the homecoming.”

To be among the first to hear tournament announcements including more celebrity appearances and tickets for ancillary events, download the CIAA Basketball Tournament mobile app via iTunes and Google Play or visit CIAATournament.org. For details about the CIAA conference and its championship sports, visit TheCIAA.com.  

About The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA): Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 16 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan 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. For more information on the CIAA, visittheciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visitCIAATournament.org, “like” us onFacebookand follow us onTwitterandInstagram.