View source for Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

{{Short description|U.S. athletic conference in NCAA Division II}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox sports league
| name         = Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
| color        = #0054a4; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFFFFF|2px}}
| font_color   = white
| logo         = Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association logo.svg
| logo_size    = 250
| founded      = 1912
| association  = [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]
| division     = [[NCAA Division II|Division II]]
| teams        = 12
| sports       = 14
| mens         = 6
| womens       = 8
| region       = [[Mid-Atlantic (United States)|Mid-Atlantic states]],<br />[[South Atlantic states]]
| formerly     = Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association
| headquarters = [[Charlotte, North Carolina]], U.S.
| commissioner = Jacqie McWilliams
| since        = 2012
| website      = {{url|theciaa.com}}
| map          = Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, coverage map2.png
| map_size     = 250
}}

{{African American topics sidebar |expanded=sports}}

The '''Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association''' (originally and through 1950 known as the '''Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association''' — CIAA) is a [[List of NCAA conferences|college athletic conference]] affiliated with the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) at the [[NCAA Division II|Division II]] level, whose member institutions consist entirely of [[historically black colleges and universities]] (HBCUs).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://theciaa.com/sports/2018/9/25/information-about-ciaa-index-7-2018.aspx | title=About the CIAA }}</ref>

The thirteen member institutions reside primarily along the central portion of the [[East Coast of the United States]], in the states of [[Pennsylvania]], [[Maryland]], [[West Virginia]], [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina]] and [[South Carolina]]. Since a majority of the members are in North Carolina, the CIAA moved its headquarters to [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] from [[Hampton, Virginia]] in August 2015.<ref>{{cite web|last=Burkins|first=Glenn|url=http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/articles/ciaa_will_move_headquarters_to_charlotte_keep_tournament_here_for_another_6_years040455760.cfm|title=CIAA headquarters will move to Charlotte; tournament stays 6 more years|publisher=Qcitymetro.com|date=March 3, 2014|access-date=August 4, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916172859/http://www.qcitymetro.com/news/articles/ciaa_will_move_headquarters_to_charlotte_keep_tournament_here_for_another_6_years040455760.cfm|archive-date=September 16, 2015}}</ref>

The CIAA sponsors 14 annual championships and divides into north and south divisions for some sports. The most notable CIAA sponsored championship is the CIAA Basketball Tournament having become one of the largest college basketball events in the nation.<REF>{{cite web | url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/basketball/bs-pr-sp-ciaa-tournament-impact-20220221-icfuyvwpvfhzbo7zoj2c6biohu-story.html | title='We go perfect together': CIAA basketball tournament is coming to Baltimore, bringing spirit and tourism with it | date=February 21, 2022 }}</REF>

==History==
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The CIAA, founded on the campus of Hampton Institute (now [[Hampton University]]) in 1912, is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the United States. It was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in December 1950.<ref name=About>[https://theciaa.com/sports/2018/9/25/information-about-ciaa-index-7-2018.aspx "About the CIAA: The History of the CIAA,"] Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, theciaa.com</ref> The conference composes predominantly of [[historically black colleges and universities]] (HBCUs) spanning the east coast from Pennsylvania to South Carolina.<ref name=About />

Founding leaders were Allen Washington and [[Charles Holston Williams|Charles H. Williams]] of Hampton Institute (now [[Hampton University]]); Ernest J. Marshall of [[Howard University]]; George Johnson of [[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University (PA)]]; W. E. Atkins, Charles Frazier, and H. P. Hargrave of [[Shaw University]]; and J. W. Barco and J. W. Pierce of [[Virginia Union University]].<ref>Raymond Schmidt, ''Shaping College Football: The Transformation of an American Sport, 1919–1930'' (Syracuse University Press, 2007) p133</ref>

Football experiences a major resurgence after going through a period of decline at several member universities. Football was absent from the campus of Saint Augustine's University for nearly three decades, before the administration reinstated it in 2002. Shaw University then brought back its football program in 2003, following a hiatus of 24 years.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/nccueagles/shaw-and-st-augustine-s-football-2002-t2292.html | title=NCCU Eagles Fan Forum!-Shaw and St. Augustine's Football 2002 | date=August 16, 2002 }}</ref>

Lincoln University, a charter member, added varsity football in 2008 and was readmitted to the CIAA after nearly three decades in [[NCAA Division III|Division III]]. Chowan University joined the CIAA in 2008 for football only. On October 14, 2008, the CIAA Board of Directors admitted Chowan as a full member effective July 1, 2009, the first non-HBCU to play in the conference.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://restorationnewsmedia.com/articles/wilsontimes/ciaa-votes-to-add-chowan-as-a-full-member-for-2009/ | title=CIAA votes to add Chowan as a full member for 2009 - Restoration NewsMedia | date=October 15, 2008 }}</ref>

On August 27, 2012, the CIAA announced the appointment of Jacqie Carpenter, the first African-American female commissioner to hold the position.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/sports&id=8788472|title=Carpenter Named New CIAA Commissioner|website=Abclocal.go.com|date=August 27, 2012|access-date=August 27, 2012}}{{dead link|date=July 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In 2014, a collection of records, including the original 1912 documents leading to the formation of the CIAA and meeting minutes from 1913 to 1922, were sold at auction after being discovered in a storage locker. The lot sold for $11,500 to an unnamed bidder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/02/26/3656365/saunders-this-ciaa-treasure-trove.html#storylink=cpy|title=Saunders: This CIAA treasure trove fails to bring in big money at auction|date=February 26, 2014|access-date=February 26, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308194909/http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/02/26/3656365/saunders-this-ciaa-treasure-trove.html#storylink=cpy|archive-date=March 8, 2014}}</ref>

On May 22, 2018, Chowan University announced its athletic department will realign with the [[Conference Carolinas]] as a full member while maintaining an associate relationship with the CIAA for both football and women's bowling.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gocuhawks.com/news/2018/5/21/general-chowan-announces-conference-realignment.aspx?path=gen|title=Chowan Announces Conference Realignment|website=gocuhawks.com|date=May 22, 2018|access-date=August 27, 2018}}</ref>

On October 4, 2024, the CIAA suspended St. Augustine's membership within the conference for the 2024–25 academic year, citing failure to meet conference compliance requirements and concerns surrounding its ability to meet NCAA sports sponsorship and scheduling requirements.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://theciaa.com/news/2024/10/2/about-the-ciaa-ciaa-suspends-st-augustines-athletics-for-2024-25.aspx|title=CIAA Suspends St. Augustine’s Athletics for 2024-25|publisher=Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association|date=October 4, 2024|access-date=January 15, 2025}}</ref> The suspension was extended indefinitely at the CIAA's 2024 Fall Board meeting on December 10, and the CIAA eventually voted to not extend their membership into the 2025–26 academic year at their 2025 Spring Board Meeting on June 20, effectively removing St. Augustine's from the conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theciaa.com/news/2024/12/10/general-release-ciaa-2024-fall-board-meeting-recap.aspx|title=CIAA 2024 FALL BOARD MEETING RECAP|quote="The Board approved indefinite suspension of Saint Augustine’s University, noting the ability for the board to lift the suspension at such time the university proves readiness to fulfill and maintain a holistic NCAA Division II athletics program, in accordance with NCAA and CIAA bylaws."|publisher=Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association|date=December 10, 2024|access-date=January 15, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://theciaa.com/news/2025/6/20/about-the-ciaa-ciaa-board-of-directors-concludes-2025-spring-meeting-with-key-strategic-approvals.aspx|title=CIAA Board of Directors Concludes 2025 Spring Meeting with Key Strategic Approvals|quote="Additionally, the Board rendered a decision regarding conference membership, voting not to extend the membership of Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) due to ongoing compliance and operational concerns. "|publisher=Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association|date=June 20, 2025|access-date=July 23, 2025}}</ref>

===Chronological timeline===
* 1912 – The CIAA was founded as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Charter member included [[Hampton University|Hampton Institute]] (now Hampton University), [[Howard University]], [[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University of Pennsylvania]]; [[Shaw University]] and [[Virginia Union University]], beginning the 1912–13 academic year.
* 1920 – [[Virginia State University|Virginia State College]] (now Virginia State University) joined the CIAA in the 1920–21 academic year.
* 1921 – [[Virginia University of Lynchburg|Virginia Theological Seminary and College]] (now the Virginia University of Lynchburg) joined the CIAA in the 1921–22 academic year.
* 1923 – [[Saint Paul's College (Virginia)|Saint Paul's Normal and Industrial School]] (later Saint Paul's Polytechnic Institute and then Saint Paul's College) joined the CIAA in the 1923–24 academic year.
* 1924 – The [[North Carolina A&T State University|Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina]] (now North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University) joined the CIAA in the 1924–25 academic year.
* 1926 – [[Johnson C. Smith University]] joined the CIAA in the 1926–27 academic year.
* 1928 – [[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina College at Durham]] (now North Carolina Central University) joined the CIAA in the 1928–29 academic year.
* 1929 – [[Morgan State University|Morgan College]] (now Morgan State University) joined the CIAA in the 1929–30 academic year.
* 1931 – [[Livingstone College]] joined the CIAA in the 1931–32 academic year.
* 1932 – [[Bluefield State University|Bluefield State Teachers College]] (now Bluefield State University) joined the CIAA in the 1932–33 academic year.
* 1933 – [[St. Augustine's University (North Carolina)|Saint Augustine's College]] (now Saint Augustine's University) joined the CIAA in the 1933–34 academic year.
* 1942 – [[West Virginia State University|West Virginia State College]] (now West Virginia State University) joined the CIAA in the 1942–43 academic year.
* 1945 – [[Delaware State University|Delaware State College]] (now Delaware State University) and [[Winston-Salem State University|Winston-Salem Teachers College]] (now Winston-Salem State University) joined the CIAA in the 1945–46 academic year.
* 1950 – The CIAA has been rebranded as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in the 1950–51 academic year.
* 1954 – VUL left the CIAA after the 1953–54 academic year.
* 1954 – [[Fayetteville State University|Fayetteville State Teachers College]] (now Fayetteville State University) and [[University of Maryland Eastern Shore|Maryland State College at Princess Anne]] (now the University of Maryland–Eastern Shore) joined the CIAA in the 1954–55 academic year.
* 1955 – Bluefield State and West Virginia State left the CIAA to join the [[West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]] (WVIAC) after the 1954–55 academic year.
* 1957 – [[Elizabeth City State University|Elizabeth City State Teachers College]] (now Elizabeth City State University) joined the CIAA in the 1957–58 academic year.
* 1960 – Lincoln (Pa.) left the CIAA after the 1959–60 academic year.
* 1962 – [[Norfolk State University|Norfolk Polytechnic College]] (now Norfolk State University) joined the CIAA in the 1962–63 academic year.
* 1970 – Delaware State, Howard, Maryland–Eastern Shore (UMES), Morgan State, North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central left the CIAA to form the [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference]] (MEAC) after the 1969–70 academic year.
* 1979 – [[Bowie State University|Bowie State College]] (now Bowie State University) joined the CIAA in the 1979–80 academic year.
* 1980 – North Carolina Central rejoined the CIAA in the 1980–81 academic year.
* 1995 – Hampton left the CIAA to join the MEAC after the 1994–95 academic year.
* 1996 – Norfolk State left the CIAA to join the MEAC after the 1995–96 academic year.
* 2006 – Winston-Salem State left the CIAA to join the MEAC after the 2005–06 academic year.
* 2007 – North Carolina Central left the CIAA for a second time to rejoin the MEAC after the 2006–07 academic year.
* 2008 – Lincoln (Pa.) rejoined the CIAA in the 2008–09 academic year.
* 2008 – [[Chowan University]] joined the CIAA as an associate member for football in the 2008 fall season (2008–09 academic year).
* 2009 – Chowan upgraded to join the CIAA as a full member for all sports in the 2009–10 academic year.
* 2010 – Winston–Salem State rejoined the CIAA in the 2010–11 academic year.
* 2011 – Saint Paul's left the CIAA after the school announced that it was discontinuing its athletics program after the 2010–11 academic year.
* 2018 – [[Claflin University]] joined the CIAA in the 2018–19 academic year.
* 2019 – Chowan left the CIAA to join the [[Conference Carolinas]] (CC) after the 2018–19 academic year; while it remained in the conference as an associate member for football and women's bowling, beginning the 2019–20 academic year.
* 2021 – Chowan left the CIAA as an associate member for women's bowling after the 2021 spring season (2020–21 academic year).
* 2023 – Chowan left the CIAA as an associate member for football after the 2022 fall season (2022–23 academic year).
* 2023 – Bluefield State rejoined the CIAA in the 2023–24 academic year.
* 2025 – Saint Augustine's was removed from the CIAA beginning with the 2025–26 academic year due to compliance and operational concerns.

==Member schools==
===Current members===
The CIAA currently has 12 full members, seven are [[Public university|public]] schools and five are [[Private university|private]] schools:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=full|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! class="unsortable" | Colors
|-
| '''[[Bluefield State University]]'''
| [[Bluefield, West Virginia]]
| 1895
| [[Public university|Public]]
| 1,313
| [[Bluefield State Big Blue|Big Blue]]
| 1932;<br />2023{{efn|group=full|Bluefield State left the CIAA after the 1954–55 school year before rejoining in the 2023–24 school year.}}
| {{color box|#092769|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#c1a458|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Bowie State University]]'''
| [[Bowie, Maryland]]
| 1865
| Public
| 6,353
| [[Bowie State Bulldogs|Bulldogs]]
| 1979
| {{color box|#1e1e1e|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#f0ad00|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Claflin University]]'''
| [[Orangeburg, South Carolina]]
| 1869
| [[United Methodist Church|United Methodist]]
| 1,960
| [[Claflin Panthers|Panthers]]
| 2018
| {{Color box|orange|border=darkgray}} {{Color box|maroon|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Elizabeth City State University]]'''
| [[Elizabeth City, North Carolina]]
| 1891
| Public
| 2,261
| [[Elizabeth City State Vikings|Vikings]]
| 1957
| {{color box|#0039a6|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#ffffff|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Fayetteville State University]]'''
| [[Fayetteville, North Carolina]]
| 1867
| Public
| 7,113
| [[Fayetteville State Broncos|Broncos]]
| 1954
| {{color box|#0046ad|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#ffffff|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Johnson C. Smith University]]'''
| [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]
| 1867
| [[Presbyterian Church (USA)|Presbyterian]]<br />{{small|(PCUSA)}}
| 1,302
| [[Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls|Golden Bulls]]
| 1926
| {{color box|#ffcf01|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#002d56|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln University]]'''
| [[Oxford, Pennsylvania]]
| 1854
| [[Commonwealth System of Higher Education|State related]]
| 1,848
| [[Lincoln (Pennsylvania) Lions|Lions]]
| 1912;<br />2008{{efn|group=full|Lincoln (Pa.) left the CIAA after the 1959–60 school year before rejoining in the 2008–09 school year.}}
| {{color box|#ff6c1f|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#001d77|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Livingstone College]]'''
| [[Salisbury, North Carolina]]
| 1879
| [[African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church|A.M.E. Church]]
| 814
| [[Livingstone Blue Bears|Blue Bears]]
| 1931
| {{color box|#8cb0bf|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#1e1e1e|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Shaw University]]'''
| [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]
| 1865
| [[Baptists|Baptist]]<br />{{small|([[National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.|NBCUSA]])}}
| 962
| [[Shaw Bears|Bears]]
| 1912
| {{color box|#760000|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#ffffff|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Virginia State University]]'''
| [[Ettrick, Virginia]]
| 1882
| Public
| 5,605
| [[Virginia State Trojans|Trojans]]
| 1920
| {{color box|#ff6319|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#0039a6|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Virginia Union University]]'''
| [[Richmond, Virginia]]
| 1865
| Baptist<br />{{small|([[American Baptist Home Mission Society|ABHMS]])}}
| 1,783
| [[Virginia Union Panthers|Panthers]]
| 1912
| {{color box|#97233f|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#8e9295|border=darkgray}}
|-
| '''[[Winston-Salem State University|Winston–Salem State University]]'''
| [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]]
| 1892
| Public
| 4,192
| [[Winston-Salem State Rams|Rams]]
| 1945;<br />2010{{efn|group=full|Winston-Salem State left the CIAA after the 2005–06 school year to join the [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference]] (MEAC), before rejoining in the 2010–11 school year.}}
| {{color box|#d0103A|border=darkgray}} {{color box|#ffffff|border=darkgray}}
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=full}}

===Former members===
The CIAA had 13 former full members, all but 6 of which were [[Public university|public]] schools:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=former|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! Left{{efn|group=former|Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.}}
! Current<br />conference
|-
| '''[[Chowan University]]'''
| [[Murfreesboro, North Carolina]]
| 1848
| [[Baptists|Baptist]]<br />{{small|([[Baptist State Convention of North Carolina|BSCNC]])}}
| 1,316
| [[Chowan Hawks|Hawks]]
| 2009
| 2019
| [[Conference Carolinas|Carolinas (CC)]]
|-
| '''[[Delaware State University]]'''
| [[Dover, Delaware]]
| 1891
| Public{{efn|group=former|Delaware State is officially defined as a "privately governed, state-assisted" institution. This status is similar to that of New York State's [[statutory colleges]], mostly housed at [[Cornell University]], or members of Pennsylvania's [[Commonwealth System of Higher Education]].}}
| 4,768
| [[Delaware State Hornets|Hornets]]
| 1945
| 1970
| nowrap | [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|Mid-Eastern (MEAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1|Currently an [[NCAA Division I]] athletic conference.}}
|-
| '''[[Hampton University]]'''
| [[Hampton, Virginia]]
| 1868
| [[Nonsectarian]]
| 4,321
| [[Hampton Pirates and Lady Pirates|Pirates]]
| 1912
| 1995
| [[Coastal Athletic Association|Coastal (CAA)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|-
| '''[[Howard University]]'''
| [[Washington, D.C.]]
| 1867
| Nonsectarian
| 9,399
| [[Howard Bison and Lady Bison|Bison]]
| 1912
| 1970
| [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|Mid-Eastern (MEAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|-
| {{sort|Maryland–Eastern Shore|'''[[University of Maryland Eastern Shore]]'''}}
| [[Princess Anne, Maryland]]{{efn|group=former|UMES has a Princess Anne mailing address, but is physically located in unincorporated [[Somerset County, Maryland|Somerset County]].}}
| 1886
| Public
| 2,888
| [[Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks|Hawks]]
| 1954
| 1970
| [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|Mid-Eastern (MEAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|-
| '''[[Morgan State University]]'''
| [[Baltimore|Baltimore, Maryland]]
| 1867
| Public
| 7,763
| [[Morgan State Bears|Bears]]
| 1929
| 1970
| [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|Mid-Eastern (MEAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|-
| '''[[Norfolk State University]]'''
| [[Norfolk, Virginia]]
| 1935
| Public
| 5,601
| [[Norfolk State Spartans|Spartans]]
| 1962
| 1996
| [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|Mid-Eastern (MEAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|-
| '''[[North Carolina A&T State University]]'''
| [[Greensboro, North Carolina]]
| 1891
| Public
| 13,332
| [[North Carolina A&T Aggies|Aggies]]
| 1924
| 1970
| [[Coastal Athletic Association|Coastal (CAA)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|-
| '''[[North Carolina Central University]]'''
| [[Durham, North Carolina]]
| 1910
| Public
| 8,011
| [[North Carolina Central Eagles|Eagles]]
| 1928,<br />1980
| 1970,<br />2007{{efn|group=former|North Carolina Central previously withdrew from the CIAA from 1970–71 to 1979–80.}}
| [[Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference|Mid-Eastern (MEAC)]]{{efn|group=former|name=D1}}
|-
| {{sort|Saint Augustine's|'''[[St. Augustine's University (Raleigh, North Carolina)|Saint Augustine's University]]'''}}
| [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]
| 1867
| [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]]
| 960
| [[St. Augustine's Falcons|Falcons]]
| 1933
| 2025{{efn|group=former|Saint Augustine's CIAA membership was suspended for the 2024–25 school year before being terminated beginning with the 2025–26 school year.}}
| Independent
|-
| '''[[Saint Paul's College (Virginia)|Saint Paul's College]]'''
| [[Lawrenceville, Virginia]]
| 1888
| Episcopal
| N/A
| [[Saint Paul's Tigers|Tigers]]
| 1923
| 2011
| N/A{{efn|group=former|Saint Paul's discontinued its athletic program after the 2010–11 school year, before the school closed in 2013.}}
|-
| '''[[Virginia University of Lynchburg]]'''
| [[Lynchburg, Virginia]]
| 1886
| [[Christianity|Christian]]
| 750
| [[VUL Dragons|Dragons]]
| 1921
| 1954
| [[National Christian College Athletic Association|NCCAA Independent]]
|-
| '''[[West Virginia State University]]'''
| [[Institute, West Virginia]]
| 1891
| Public
| 3,100
| nowrap | [[West Virginia State Yellow Jackets|Yellow Jackets]]
| 1942
| 1955
| [[Mountain East Conference|Mountain East (MEC)]]
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=former}}

===Former associate members===
The CIAA had one former associate member, which was also a [[Private university|private]] school:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! Institution
! Location
! Founded
! Affiliation
! Enrollment
! Nickname
! Joined{{efn|group=fass|Represents the calendar year when fall sports competition begins.}}
! Left{{efn|group=fass|Represents the calendar year when spring sports competition ends.}}
! CIAA<br />sport(s)
! Primary<br />conference
|-
| rowspan="3" | '''[[Chowan University]]'''{{efn|group=fass|Chowan was a full member of the CIAA from 2009–10 to 2018–19, before joining the [[Conference Carolinas]] (CC); but had prior to that competed for football only during the 2008 fall season (2008–09 school year).}}
| rowspan="3" | [[Murfreesboro, North Carolina]]
| rowspan="3" | 1848
| rowspan="3" | [[Baptists|Baptist]]<br />{{small|([[Baptist State Convention of North Carolina|BSCNC]])}}
| rowspan="3" | 1,316
| rowspan="3" | [[Chowan Hawks|Hawks]]
| 2008{{sup|fb.}}
| 2009{{sup|fb.}}
| rowspan="2" | football
| rowspan="3" | [[Conference Carolinas|Carolinas (CC)]]
|-
| 2019{{sup|fb.}}
| 2023{{sup|fb.}}
|-
| 2019{{sup|w.bowl.}}
| 2021{{sup|w.bowl.}}
| women's bowling
|}

;Notes:
{{notelist|group=fass}}

===Membership timeline===
<timeline>
DateFormat = yyyy
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
Period = from:1912 till:2035
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal
PlotArea = right:5 left:5 bottom:40 top:5

Colors =
          id:line value:black
          id:bg value:white
          id:Full value:rgb(0.7,0.9,0.8) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports
          id:FullxF value:rgb(0.9,0.8,0.7) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member in all sports except for football
          id:AssocF value:rgb(0.9,0.7,0.8) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for football only
          id:AssocOS value:rgb(0.8,0.9,0.7) # Use this color to denote a team that is a member for another sport only
          id:OtherC1 value:rgb(0.996,0.996,0.699) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference
          id:OtherC2 value:rgb(0.988,0.703,0.383) # Use this color to denote a team that has moved in another conference when the other color has already been used

PlotData =
 width:15 textcolor:black shift:(5,-5) anchor:from fontsize:s

 bar:1 color:Full from:1912 till:1995 text:[[Hampton University|Hampton]] (1912–1995)

 bar:2 color:Full from:1912 till:1970 text:[[Howard University|Howard]] (1912–1970)

 bar:3 color:Full from:1912 till:1960 text:[[Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)|Lincoln (Pa.)]] (1912–1960)
 bar:3 color:Full from:2008 till:end text:(2008–present)

 bar:4 color:Full from:1912 till:1979 text:[[Shaw University|Shaw]] (1912–present)
 bar:4 color:FullxF from:1979 till:2003 text:
 bar:4 color:Full from:2003 till:end text:

 bar:5 color:Full from:1912 till:end text:[[Virginia Union University|Virginia Union]] (1912–present)

 bar:6 color:Full from:1920 till:end text:[[Virginia State University|Virginia State]] (1920–present)

 bar:7 color:Full from:1921 till:1954 text:[[Virginia University of Lynchburg|VUL]] (1921–1954)

 bar:8 color:Full from:1923 till:2011 text:[[Saint Paul's College (Virginia)|Saint Paul's]] (1923–2011)

 bar:9 color:Full from:1924 till:1970 text:[[North Carolina A%26T State University|North Carolina A&T]] (1924–1970)

 bar:10 color:Full from:1926 till:end text:[[Johnson C. Smith University|Johnson C. Smith]] (1926–present)

 bar:11 color:Full from:1928 till:1970 text:[[North Carolina Central University|North Carolina Central]] (1928–1970)
 bar:11 color:Full from:1980 till:2007 text:(1980–2007)

 bar:12 color:Full from:1929 till:1970 text:[[Morgan State University|Morgan State]] (1929–1970)

 bar:13 color:Full from:1931 till:end text:[[Livingstone College|Livingstone]] (1931–present)

 bar:14 color:Full from:1932 till:1955 text:[[Bluefield State College|Bluefield State]] (1932–1955)
 bar:14 color:Full from:2023 till:end text:(2023–present)

 bar:15 color:Full from:1933 till:1965 text:[[St. Augustine's University (North Carolina)|Saint Augustine's]] (1933–2024)
 bar:15 color:FullxF from:1965 till:2002 text:
 bar:15 color:Full from:2002 till:2024 text:

 bar:16 color:Full from:1942 till:1955 text:[[West Virginia State University|West Virginia State]] (1942–1955)

 bar:17 color:Full from:1945 till:1970 text:[[Delaware State University|Delaware State]] (1945–1970)

 bar:18 color:Full from:1945 till:2006 text:[[Winston Salem State University|Winston–Salem State]] (1945–2006)
 bar:18 color:Full from:2010 till:end text:(2010–present)

 bar:19 color:Full from:1954 till:end text:[[Fayetteville State University|Fayetteville State]] (1954–present)

 bar:20 color:Full from:1954 till:1970 text:[[University of Maryland Eastern Shore|Maryland–Eastern Shore]] (1954–1970)

 bar:21 color:Full from:1957 till:end text:[[Elizabeth City State University|Elizabeth City State]] (1957–present)

 bar:22 color:Full from:1962 till:1996 text:[[Norfolk State University|Norfolk State]] (1962–1996)

 bar:23 color:Full from:1979 till:end text:[[Bowie State University|Bowie State]] (1979–present)

 bar:24 color:AssocF from:2008 till:2009 text:[[Chowan University|Chowan]] (2009–2019)
 bar:24 color:Full from:2009 till:2019
 bar:24 color:AssocOS from:2019 till:2021
 bar:24 color:AssocF from:2021 till:2023

 bar:25 color:FullxF from:2018 till:end text:[[Claflin University|Claflin]] (2018–present)

 bar:N color:powderblue from:1912 till:1950 text:Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association
 bar:N color:blue from:1950 till:end text:Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:5 start:1915

TextData =
 fontsize:M
 textcolor:black
 pos:(0,20) tabs:(400-center)
 text:^"Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association membership history"

#> If the chart uses more than one bar color, add a legend by selecting the appropriate fields from the following three options (use only the colors that are used in the graphic.) Leave a blank line after the end of the timeline, then add a line with the selected values from the list, separated by a space.
{{Font color||{{RGB|178|229|204}}|&nbsp;Full member (all sports)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}|&nbsp;Full member (non-football)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|178|204}}|&nbsp;Associate member (football-only)&nbsp;}}
<#
</timeline>

{{Font color||{{RGB|178|229|204}}|&nbsp;Full member (all sports)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|204|178}}|&nbsp;Full member (non-football)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|229|178|204}}|&nbsp;Associate member (football)&nbsp;}}
{{Font color||{{RGB|204|229|178}}|&nbsp;Associate member (sport)&nbsp;}}

==Sports==
{| width=400 style="float:right"
|-
|colspan=2|A divisional format is used for basketball (M / W), bowling, softball, tennis (W), and volleyball.
|-
|width=50%|{{center|'''North'''}}
* Bluefield State
* Bowie State
* Elizabeth City State
* Lincoln
* Virginia State
* Virginia Union
|width=50%|{{center|'''South'''}}
* Claflin
* Fayetteville State
* Johnson C. Smith
* Livingstone
* Shaw
* Winston-Salem State
|}

{| class="wikitable" style=
|+ '''Teams in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association competition'''
!Sport||Men's||Women's
|-
|[[Basketball]]||{{center|12}}||{{center|12}}
|-
|[[Ten-pin bowling|Bowling]]||{{center|–}}||{{center|9}}
|-
|[[Cross country running|Cross Country]]||{{center|12}}||{{center|12}}
|-
|[[American football|Football]]||{{center|11}}||{{center|–}}
|-
|[[Golf]]||{{center|8}}||{{center|–}}
|-
|[[Softball]]||{{center|–}}||{{center|12}}
|-
|[[Tennis]]||{{center|–}}||{{center|9}}
|-
|[[Indoor Track|Track and Field (Indoor)]]||{{center|8}}||{{center|10}}
|-
|[[Track and field#Outdoor|Track and Field (Outdoor)]]||{{center|8}}||{{center|11}}
|-
|[[Volleyball]]||{{center|–}}||{{center|12}}
|}

===Men's sponsored sports by school===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! School !! Basketball !! Cross<br />Country !! Football !! Golf !! Track & Field<br />(Indoor) !! Track & Field<br />(Outdoor) !! Total CIAA<br />Sports
|-
| Bluefield State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
| Bowie State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 5
|-
| Claflin || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 4
|-
| Elizabeth City State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || 4
|-
| Fayetteville State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || 4
|-
| Johnson C. Smith || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
| Lincoln || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 5
|-
| Livingstone || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
| Shaw || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || 3
|-
| Virginia State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
| Virginia Union || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
| Winston-Salem State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || 4
|-
|'''Totals''' || 12 || 12 || 11 || 8 || 8 || 8 || 59
|}

'''Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association which are played by CIAA schools:'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;
|-
! School !! Baseball !! Lacrosse !! Soccer !! Tennis !! Wrestling
|-
| Bluefield State || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Baseball_independents|IND]] || || || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Tennis|IND]] || [[Conference Carolinas|CC]]
|-
| Claflin || [[Peach Belt Conference|PBC]] || || || ||
|-
| Johnson C. Smith || || || || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Tennis|IND]] ||
|-
| Lincoln || [[Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference|CACC]] || || || ||
|-
| Shaw || || || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Soccer_independents|IND]] || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Tennis|IND]] ||
|-
| Virginia State || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Baseball_independents|IND]] || [[Peach Belt Conference|PBC]] || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Soccer_independents|IND]] || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Tennis|IND]] ||
|}

===Women's sponsored sports by school===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! School !! Basketball !! Bowling <sup>‡</sup> !! Cross<br />Country !! Softball !! Tennis !! Track & Field<br />(Indoor) !! Track & Field<br />(Outdoor) !! Volleyball !! Total CIAA<br />Sports
|-
| Bluefield State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 8
|-
| Bowie State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 8
|-
| Claflin || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
|{{left}}Elizabeth City State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
| Fayetteville State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 7
|-
| Johnson C. Smith || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 8
|-
| Lincoln || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 6
|-
| Livingstone || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 8
|-
| Shaw || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 7
|-
| Virginia State || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 8
|-
| Virginia Union || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 8
|-
| Winston-Salem State || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 7
|-
|'''Totals''' || 12 || 9 || 12 || 12 || 9 || 10 || 11 || 12 || 87
|}
*<sup>‡</sup> — D-I sport

'''Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association which are played by CIAA schools:'''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;
|-
! School !! Golf !! Lacrosse !! Soccer !! Wrestling
|-
| Bluefield State || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Golf|IND]] || || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Soccer independents|IND]] || [[Conference Carolinas|CC]]{{efn|De facto Conference Carolinas affiliate as part of South Atlantic Conference Carolinas.}}
|-
| Lincoln || || || [[Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference|CACC]] ||
|-
| Shaw || || || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Soccer independents|IND]] ||
|-
| Virginia State || || [[Gulf South Conference|GSC]] || [[NCAA Division II independent schools#Soccer_independents|IND]] ||
|}
{{notelist|group=wn}}

==Conference facilities==

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan=2|School
!colspan=2|Football
!colspan=2|Basketball
|-
!Stadium
!Capacity
!Arena
!Capacity
|-
|Bluefield State
|[[Mitchell Stadium]]
|{{right|10,000}}
|Ned E. Shott Gym
|{{right|1,500}}
|-
|Bowie State
|Bulldog Stadium
|{{right|2,964}}
|A.C. Jordan Arena
|{{right|2,200}}
|-
|Claflin
|colspan=2|{{center|''non-football school''}}
|Edward Tullis Arena
|{{right|3,000}}
|-
|Elizabeth City State
|[[Roebuck Stadium]]
|{{right|6,500}}
|[[R. L. Vaughn Center]]
|{{right|5,000}}
|-
|Fayetteville State
|[[Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium]]
|{{right|5,520}}
|Felton J. Capel Arena
|{{right|4,000}}
|-
|Johnson C. Smith
|[[Irwin Belk Complex]]
|{{right|4,500}}
|Brayboy Gymnasium
|{{right|2,316}}
|-
|Lincoln
|Lincoln University Stadium
|{{right|2,600}}
|[[Manuel Rivero Hall]]
|{{right|3,000}}
|-
|Livingstone
|[[Alumni Memorial Stadium (Livingstone)|Alumni Memorial Stadium]]
|{{right|5,500}}
|William Trent Gymnasium
|{{right|1,500}}
|-
|Shaw
|[[Durham County Stadium]]
|{{right|8,500}}
|C.C. Spaulding Gym
|{{right|1,500}}
|-
|Virginia State
|Rogers Stadium
|{{right|7,909}}
|VSU Multi-Purpose Center 
|{{right|6,000}}
|-
|Virginia Union
|[[Hovey Field]]
|{{right|10,000}}
|Barco-Stevens Hall
|{{right|2,000}}
|-
|Winston–Salem State
|[[Bowman Gray Stadium]]
|{{right|22,000}}
|[[C.E. Gaines Center]]
|{{right|3,200}}
|}

==CIAA Basketball Tournament==
{{seealso|CIAA women's basketball tournament}}

The CIAA is the first NCAA Division II conference to have its tournament televised as part of Championship Week on [[ESPN]]. Over 100,000 fans and spectators are in attendance annually and it has become one of the largest college basketball events in the nation. During the week of the tournament, there are many high-profile social and celebratory events associated with the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theciaa.com/news/2006-07/tournament_impact040407|title=2007 CIAA Tournament Week is Largest Ever|publisher=CIAA|date=April 2, 2007|access-date=August 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922154401/http://www.theciaa.com/news/2006-07/tournament_impact040407|archive-date=September 22, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Marusakjmarusak|first=Joe|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article61947187.html|title=CIAA basketball tournament declared an 'extraordinary event'|publisher=The Charlotte Observer|date=February 23, 2016|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> The last day of the tournament is known as "Super Saturday" in which the men's and women's tournament champions are crowned.  For 15 years, the tournament had an annual $55 million economic impact on [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] and was consistently the largest event held in the city every year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legacy.wcnc.com/story/money/2016/02/22/ciaa-brings-big-business-uptown-charlotte/80774354/|title=CIAA brings big business to uptown Charlotte|access-date=February 24, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034351/http://legacy.wcnc.com/story/money/2016/02/22/ciaa-brings-big-business-uptown-charlotte/80774354/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|date=February 22, 2016}}</ref> The conference was offered better incentives to move it to [[Baltimore]], Maryland, in 2021,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wbtv.com/2019/01/07/sources-ciaa-leave-charlotte-baltimore/|title=CIAA tournament to leave Charlotte for Baltimore in 2021|work=WBTV.com|date=January 7, 2019|access-date=January 15, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/75th-ciaa-tournament-be-15th-final-year-charlotte/X6KNU7S7IVGL5PVBRIRWQMZZRA/|title=75th CIAA tournament to be 15th, final year in Charlotte|work=WSOCTV.com|date=January 10, 2020|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> where it will remain at least through 2025.<ref>{{cite news |title=CIAA extends contract with Baltimore to host basketball tournament through 2025 |url=https://www.wbaltv.com/article/ciaa-extends-contract-baltimore-host-basketball-tournament-2025/40168313 |access-date=June 1, 2022 |work=[[WBAL-TV]] |date=June 1, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

{{cot|title=<big>Men's tournament results</big>|bg=#FFFFFF|padding=0px|border=2px|b-color=#0556A5|border2=0px}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Champion<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theciaa.com/sports/2018/9/25/bballtournament-history-menbballchampions.aspx|title=All-Time CIAA Men's Basketball Champions|website=Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association|access-date=March 8, 2022}}</ref>
!Venue (Location)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theciaa.com/sports/2018/9/25/bballtournament-history-site-history.aspx|title=CIAA Basketball Tournament Site History|website=Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association|access-date=March 8, 2022}}</ref>
|-
|1946
|[[North Carolina Central Eagles men's basketball|North Carolina College]]
|[[Turner's Arena]] ([[Washington, DC]])
|-
|1947
|[[Virginia State Trojans|Virginia State]]
|Turner's Arena (Washington, DC)
|-
|1948
|[[West Virginia State Yellow Jackets|West Virginia State]]
|Turner's Arena (Washington, DC)
|-
|1949
|West Virginia State
|[[Uline Arena]] (Washington, DC)
|-
|1950
|[[North Carolina Central Eagles men's basketball|North Carolina Central]]
|Uline Arena (Washington, DC)
|-
|1951
|[[Virginia Union Panthers|Virginia Union]]
|Uline Arena (Washington, DC)
|-
|1952
|Virginia Union
|[[Hurt Gymnasium]] ([[Baltimore, Maryland|Baltimore, MD]])
|-
|1953
|[[Winston-Salem State Rams men's basketball|Winston-Salem State]]
|[[McDougald Gymnasium]] ([[Durham, North Carolina|Durham, NC]])
|-
|1954
|Virginia Union
|McDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
|-
|1955
|Virginia Union
|McDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
|-
|1956
|[[UMES Hawks men's basketball|Maryland State]]
|McDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
|-
|1957
|Winston-Salem State
|McDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
|-
|1958
|[[North Carolina A&T Aggies men's basketball|North Carolina A&T]]
|McDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
|-
|1959
|North Carolina A&T
|McDougald Gymnasium (Durham, NC)
|-
|1960
|Winston-Salem State
|[[Greensboro Coliseum]] ([[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro, NC]])
|-
|1961
|Winston-Salem State
|[[War Memorial Coliseum (Winston-Salem)|War Memorial Coliseum]] ([[Winston-Salem, North Carolina|Winston-Salem, NC]])
|-
|1962
|North Carolina A&T
|War Memorial Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|1963
|Winston-Salem State
|War Memorial Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|1964
|North Carolina A&T
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1965
|[[Norfolk State Spartans men's basketball|Norfolk State]]
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1966
|Winston-Salem State
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1967
|North Carolina A&T
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1968
|Norfolk State
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1969
|[[Elizabeth City State Vikings|Elizabeth City State]]
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1970
|Winston-Salem State
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1971
|Norfolk State
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1972
|Norfolk State
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1973
|[[Fayetteville State Broncos|Fayetteville State]]
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1974
|Norfolk State
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1975
|Norfolk State
|Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, NC)
|-
|1976
|Norfolk State
|[[Hampton Coliseum]] ([[Hampton, Virginia|Hampton, VA]])
|-
|1977
|Winston-Salem State
|Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, VA)
|-
|1978
|Norfolk State
|Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, VA)
|-
|1979
|Virginia Union
|[[Norfolk Scope]] ([[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk, VA]])
|-
|1980
|Virginia Union
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1981
|Elizabeth City State
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1982
|[[Hampton Pirates men's basketball|Hampton]]
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1983
|Hampton
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1984
|Norfolk State
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1985
|Virginia Union
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1986
|Norfolk State
|[[Richmond Coliseum]] ([[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond, VA]])
|-
|1987
|Virginia Union
|Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
|-
|1988
|Virginia State
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1989
|Virginia State
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1990
|Norfolk State
|Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, VA)
|-
|1991
|Hampton
|Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
|-
|1992
|Virginia Union
|Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
|-
|1993
|Virginia Union
|Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, VA)
|-
|1994
|Virginia Union
|[[Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum|LJVM Coliseum]] (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|1995
|Virginia Union
|LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|1996
|Norfolk State
|LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|1997
|[[Saint Augustine's Falcons|Saint Augustine's]]
|LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|1998
|Virginia Union
|LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|1999
|Winston-Salem State
|LJVM Coliseum (Winston-Salem, NC)
|-
|2000
|Winston-Salem State
|[[PNC Arena|Entertainment & Sports Arena]] ([[Raleigh, North Carolina|Raleigh, NC]])
|-
|2001
|[[Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls|Johnson C. Smith]]
|Entertainment & Sports Arena (Raleigh, NC)
|-
|2002
|[[Shaw Bears|Shaw]]
|Entertainment & Sports Arena (Raleigh, NC)
|-
|2003
|[[Bowie State Bulldogs|Bowie State]]
|[[RBC Center]] (Raleigh, NC)
|-
|2004
|Virginia Union
|RBC Center (Raleigh, NC)
|-
|2005
|Virginia Union
|RBC Center (Raleigh, NC)
|-
|2006
|Virginia Union
|[[Charlotte Bobcats Arena]] ([[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte, NC]])
|-
|2007
|Elizabeth City State
|Charlotte Bobcats Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2008
|Johnson C. Smith
|Charlotte Bobcats Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2009
|Johnson C. Smith
|[[Time Warner Cable Arena]] (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2010
|Saint Augustine's
|Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2011
|Shaw
|Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2012
|Winston-Salem State
|Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2013
|Bowie State
|Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2014
|[[Livingstone Blue Bears|Livingstone]]
|Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2015
|Livingstone
|Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2016
|Virginia State
|Time Warner Cable Arena (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2017
|Bowie State
|[[Bojangles' Coliseum]] (Charlotte, NC)<br />[[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]] (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2018
|Virginia Union
|[[Bojangles' Coliseum]] (Charlotte, NC)<br />[[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]] (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2019
|Virginia State
|[[Bojangles' Coliseum]] (Charlotte, NC)<br />[[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]] (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2020
|Winston-Salem State
|[[Bojangles' Coliseum]] (Charlotte, NC)<br />[[Spectrum Center (arena)|Spectrum Center]] (Charlotte, NC)
|-
|2022
|Fayetteville State
|[[Royal Farms Arena]] ([[Baltimore|Baltimore, MD]])
|-
|2023
|Winston-Salem State
|Royal Farms Arena (Baltimore, MD)
|-
|2024
|[[Lincoln (Pennsylvania) Lions|Lincoln (PA)]]
|CFG Bank Arena (Baltimore, MD)
|}
{{cob}}

==CIAA cheerleading==
One of the signature events of "Super Saturday" at the CIAA Basketball Tournament is the Cheer Exhibition.  At the exhibition, CIAA cheer squads showcase elaborate routines to entertain spectators and display their talents.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.charlottesgotalot.com/2016-CIAA-Tournament-Preview |title=CIAA Basketball Tournament Preview|publisher=Charlotte's got a lot|access-date=October 25, 2017|archive-date=September 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921042409/http://www.charlottesgotalot.com/2016-CIAA-Tournament-Preview|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://saintaugfalcons.com/news/2015/3/1/GEN_0301153046.aspx|title=SAU BlueChips Perform Well At CIAA Cheerleading Competition On Super Saturday|publisher=Saint Augustine's University|access-date=October 25, 2017|date=March 1, 2015|archive-date=September 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920190742/http://saintaugfalcons.com/news/2015/3/1/GEN_0301153046.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>  Every cheerleading team in the CIAA is a "Stomp-N-Shake" squad which is a unique style of cheer that is most common among historically Black colleges and schools located in the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast region]].

The CIAA is one of the only conferences in the country that has an annual All-Conference Cheerleading Team.  The All-Conference Cheerleading Team is a recognition bestowed on select cheerleaders in the conference that exemplify the epitome of school spirit, leadership, athleticism, and academic excellence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://theciaa.com/news/2019/1/11/cheerleading_.aspx|title=2018–19 All-CIAA Cheerleading Team|work=CIAA|date=January 11, 2019|access-date=December 1, 2019}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Institution
!Squad name
|-
|Bluefield State University
|The "Beautiful Blue"
|-
|-
|Bowie State University
|The "Golden Girls"
|-
|Claflin University
|The "Panther Dolls"
|-
|Elizabeth City State University
|The "D'Lytes" 
|-
|Fayetteville State University
|"Cheer Phi Smoov" 
|-
|Johnson C. Smith University
|The "Luv-A-Bulls" 
|-
|Lincoln University
|The "Fe Fe's"
|-
|Livingstone College
|The "La La's"
|-
|Shaw University
|The "Chi Chi's" 
|-
|Virginia State University
|The "Woo Woo's" 
|-
|Virginia Union University
|The "Rah Rah's"
|-
|Winston-Salem State University
|The "Powerhouse of Red and White"
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons cat}}
*{{Official website}}

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