ITS HERE...CIAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A lot of the mainstream media would like you to believe that the CIAA basketball tournament is a new phenomenon that is just another "black gathering" that does not have much significance or meaning. That is totally untrue and if you didn't go to an HBCU, then maybe you won't know this information. Even though most black colleges are not in the CIAA conference, it is the oldest Historically Black College Conference and was founded in 1912. Read below for more interesting facts concerning the CI double A!!!!!!


1830s - First HBCUs were established in the country.
1892 - Livingstone College and Johnson C. Smith University (then Biddle University) played in the first football game between two African-American colleges.
1912 - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association was founded in Hampton, VA. When the conference was founded, it was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association. It's founding fathers were Allen Washington and C.H. Williams of Hampton Institute; Ernest J. Marshall of Howard University; George Johnson of Lincoln University (PA); W.E. Atkins, Charles Frasher and H.P. Hargrave of Shaw University; and J.W. Barco and J.W. Pierce of Virginia Union University.
1920 - The Pittsburgh Courier selected the first unofficial black college basketball champions, Howard and Talledega.
1927 - There were a total of 77 HBCUs enrolling almost 14,000 students.
1946 - First CIAA Basketball Tournament.
John B. McLendon, now known as the "Father of Black Basketball," along with Talmadge Hall, John Burr and Harry Jefferson formed the first CIAA basketball tournament in a small gymnasium in Washington, D.C. on a $500 budget. The tournament was played in Turner Arena. Many southern cities didn't want a predominantly Black collegiate conference in their venues and didn't rent to the CIAA. And when the conference finally secured Turner Arena, the players had to sleep on the floor because they weren't allowed in the hotels. Still, students and fans turned out at the gymnasium for that first tournament.
1954 - Brown V. The Board of Education desegregated public schools.
1965 - The NCAA began accepting black colleges for membership.
1967- NBA Hall of Famer Earl "The Pearl" Monroe played for Coach Clarence "Big House" Gaines at Winston-Salem State and helped his team win the Division-II national title.
1973 - NCAA Division II and III playoffs began.
1980 - Virginia Union Panthers won the NCAA Division II Championship.
1988 - CIAA Tournament moves to Richmond, VA.
1989 - President George Bush issued Executive Order 12677 to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide quality education and to increase their participation in federally sponsored programs.
1990 - Leon G. Kerry is promoted to Commissioner of CIAA.
1992 - The Virginia Union Panthers won the NCAA Division II Championship.
1994 - CIAA Tournament moves to Winston-Salem, NC.
1998 - Commissioner Leon Kerry secured the largest sponsorship package in history among HBCU conferences and Division II when Coca Cola North America signed a five year, $2 million agreement with the CIAA. He surpassed the preceding record when Coke renewed the contract at $3 million for another five years in 2003.
2000 - The CIAA2000.com website is believed to be the first college sports internet homepage developed singularly for one event, the CIAA Basketball Tournament.
2000 - The CIAA Tournament moves to Raleigh, NC.
2005 - CIAA teamed up with ESPN, the nation's sports leader, to create the largest HBCU conference television package in history.
2005 - The Virginia Union Panthers win the NCAA Division II Basketball Championship and visit the White House.
2006 - The CIAA Tournament moves to the city of Charlotte, NC.
2007 - CIAA shatters economic impact and attendance records for the Tournament during its second year in Charlotte.

Official CI Weekend Party Spots
Come party with us at the hottest spots during CI week! Professional Swagga, Thomas Washington, and Firm events brings you the best of the best on Friday and Saturday.


Thursday, Start it off right by going to The Sunset Club for the CI Jump off!!!!!!!!!!! FunkLabb, DJ Chase & Thomas Washington present



Friday Night Fever @ City Tavern, Friday,

February 29, 21 and up, 25 encouraged Ladies FREE before 10:30 pm.Sex in the City @ City Tavern, Saturday, March 1, Ladies FREE before 10:30 pm.Get your $15 advance tickets to ALL events @ http://www.ez-tixx.com/ , hurry because they are going fast! ADVANCED TICKETS ALMOST SOLD OUT!!!!! http://www.uptownciparties.com/








Saturday is the Official CI 3-in-1 Day Party...that's right $20 gives you access to 3 hotspots The Attic, Madison's, and Grand Central. 3 is always better than one... 400 TICKETS ALREADY SOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!

End your CI right............STAR POWER - 3 Ballrooms one price..... The Blake Hotel 555 S McDowell St 3 ballrooms 3 cities one price.
Welcome To DC ballroom - DC's finest gogo band, MAMBO Sauce
Welcome to NYC ballroom - performing live DJ Chase - BIZ MARKIE and celebrity friends
Welcome to ATL ballroom - The people's station, Mr. V103 aka FRANK SKI and celebrity friends performing live


JMI Telecom is proud to be sanctioned by the CIAA as the official host of the Premier CIAA Invitational Golf Tournament during CIAA week in Charlotte, NC. JMI is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) based in Charlotte, NC; offering telecommunications and information technology services to both residential and enterprise clients, providing them with a "Total Telecom and IT Solution". JMI is committed to leading and supporting events and organizations that provide for the advancement of people within our community and our country.Golf attire is required. Collared shirts and slacks. No steel spikes are allowed on the courseSchedule 9:30 AM: Registration/continental breakfast10:30 AM: Review rules of play11:00 AM: Shotgun start portions of the proceeds will go to the ciaa scholarship fund call 1-866-516-5104 or jmiciaa@jmisp.com for more information.

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008 • Creative Loafing & The Sol Kitchen present Pop Life: The Tournament Edition. DJ DR, Kitch and Johnnie Davis on the wheels. 6 p.m.-2 a.m, Free food until 9 p.m., drink specials and mingle/network with some of the sexiest people in Charlotte . Exclusive/Official listening party for Erykah Badu's new album, "Amerykah" & Pete Rock's new album, " NY Finest's". Get there early!Prevue - 2909 N. Davidson St. 21 and over and no admission. http://www.thesolkitchen.com./



Thursday, Feb 28, 2008 The Sol Kitchen & Dynasty 5 presents "The Tip Off" with DJ BroRabb aka "Mr Lawd Have Mercy." 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Buckhead Saloon - 201 E. 5th St. (across the street from Bobcats Arena) $15 advance tickets while they last. 704-373-9380. http://www.thesolkitchen.com./ 21 and over - no athletic gear!

Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 The Sol Kitchen presents "The Mix Series" with Biz Markie & Friends. Charlotte's newest and hottest night club in Uptown, HOM located at 116 W. 5th St.(formerly Menage) 3 levels - Liv (lounge), Feast (cafe/restaurant), Play (top level dance club). 9 pm - 4 am. Serving food til 4am25 and over ONLY but if you are under 25 but above 21 and look the part, we might let you in - you need to be tight. Dress to kill is the dress code (it will strictly be enforced) & Smirnoff drink specials. For adv. tix/vip tix, http://www.thesolkitchen.com/ or call 704.375.3737. Table reservations


Saturday, March 1, 2008 Dynasty 5, The Sol Kitchen & Up Top Promotions present The Saturday Night Cabaret aka Ladies Night with/hosted by Grammy Nominated Artist Raheem Devaughn at The Omni Hotel 132 East Trade St. (2 blocks from the arena). Doors open at 9pm. 3 rooms for your pleasure! Dress Code enforced and $25 advance tickets while they last - http://www.thesolkitchen.com/, http://www.dynasty5.com/, Pacific Green - South Park Mall - 704.366.9474 or Eye Browz - Crabtree Mall (Raleigh) 919.789.0600

PS...We give you what you crave, not just what you need!!!