CHARLOTTE, N.C. —Β The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Board of Directors voted Wednesday to formally accept Claflin University as a member institution, according to the conference office.
Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, the Panther athletic program sponsors 10 of the CIAA’s 14 championship sports.
“It is my pleasure to welcome Claflin University’s student-athletes, administration, staff, alumni, and fans to the CIAA,” said Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner. “The institution is a fit for our conference based on their location within our demographic region and commitment to sponsoring sports programs that bring competitive and championship growth in the CIAA. They will expand our footprint into the South Carolina market, reinforce our commitment to the student-athlete experience and employ strategies that engage alumni and fans within the region to support our mission and vision.”
Claflin will join the CIAA as a full member effectiveΒ July 1, 2018 andΒ be eligible for athletic competition for the 2018-19 academic year.
A historically black university founded in 1869, Claflin competes in men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s cross country.
“The CIAA is committed to sponsoring a range of male and female sports programs that bring competitive and championship growth within the conference and to the regions that all our participating schools represent,” said CIAA Board of Directors Chair and Fayetteville State University Chancellor Dr. James A. Anderson. “The CIAA will seek to sponsor additional men’s sports like baseball and tennis to maintain a healthy number of automatic qualifications. The addition of Claflin University allows the conference to facilitate this goal while expanding our geographical footprint.”
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.
“We believe this is a win-win situation for the University and our student-athletes,” said Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale. “The CIAA aligns with our institutional profile and the proximity of its members to Orangeburg is very attractive for our alumni and supporters.”
