CHARLOTTE (February 20, 2008) --- Charlotte organizers are excited about the 63rd Annual Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament happening February 25 - March 1. The weeklong tournament brings quality basketball and countless activities to the Queen City for the third year in a row.
Basketball action begins with the Women's Tournament sponsored by Food Lion tipping off Monday, February 25 at 7 p.m. The Men's Tournament sponsored by Ford begins play Wednesday at 7 p.m. Games continue Thursday and Friday at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. The Women's Tournament Final is 5 p.m. Saturday and the Men's Tournament Final is 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are still available at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
"We are excited about being Uptown for our third year in Charlotte," said Leon Kerry, CIAA Commissioner. "The CIAA has the most loyal fans in the world and their support of the conference & Tournament shows their passion for the HBCU community and the CIAA."
Charlotte organizers are excited about what the CIAA represents for the city and for the tournament's future in the area. According to the Charlotte Regional Visitor's Authority research, the Tournament accounted for direct spending of over $18 million and a total economic impact of $27.7 million dollars over the one-week period in 2007. Organizers project those numbers to be stronger this year.
Tim Newman, chief executive officer of the CRVA adds, "The numbers are obviously spectacular for this region, but the emphasis needs to also be on the reasons behind the CIAA choosing Charlotte - our hospitality, volunteerism and efforts toward a quality experience for each attendee gives us a benefit that really is priceless."
Because of its popularity, the conference has worked hard to create additional activities for CIAA fans, many of which are free to the public and designed to give fans the true CIAA experience.
Fans can enjoy the CIAA Ford Fan Experience and CIAA McDonald's Super Saturday FREE of charge. The CIAA Ford Fan Experience will feature national Def Jam recording artists Fabolous, Chingy, Rick Ross, The Dream and others, as well as, the Steve Harvey Morning Show. For the first time ever CIAA McDonald's Super Saturday will host the Battle of the Best presented by the CIAA, 2xSalt Ministry and charity partner Samaritan's Feet in a game between perennial prep powerhouses Oak Hill Academy and Montrose Christian.
Other official CIAA events that require purchasing a ticket includes: Black Magic film viewing, EBONY's Fashion Show, McDonald's Step Show Throwdown and After Party Concert, the CIAA Old School Concert featuring Bloodstone and the Philly Intruders and the Post Tournament After Party featuring The Manhattans. For a complete listing of Tournament week festivities, visit
www.ciaatournament.org. CIAA men's and women's tournament games will both receive extensive television coverage nationally on the ESPN family of networks including coverage on ESPN Classic and ESPN U. Complete television and game schedules are available on
www.ciaatournament.org .
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was founded in 1912 and is based in Hampton, Virginia. The CIAA is America's oldest historically black college and university conference and is made up of 10 HBCUs situated along the Eastern Seaboard. For more information about the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit www.ciaatournament.org.
Posted By: Jehan Bunch
Wednesday, February 20th 2008 at 10:10AM
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