Along with the likes of Preakness and the Maryland Cycling Classic, the CIAA Basketball Tournament has grown to become a cherished sporting event since its recent return to Baltimore City, drawing overwhelming support from local residents, HBCU alumni and sports enthusiasts.
This year’s tournament, held Feb. 25 to March 1 at CFG Bank Arena, will look slightly different than it has in recent years and will be particularly special.
Themed “#PaintHerStory,” the upcoming tournament will mark the 50th anniversary of the women’s basketball tournament, which began in 1975. The entire tournament week will be centered round highlighting the progress, contributions and achievements of women in the CIAA.
“This year marks a monumental milestone for the CIAA and women’s sports as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Women’s Basketball Tournament and honor the trailblazing athletes who have shaped its legacy,” CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker said.
“The Food Lion CIAA Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournament is more than a competition, it is a testament to the hard work of our member institutions, the resilience of our student-athletes, and the vibrant culture of our HBCUs and our community. Thanks to the unwavering support of partners like Food Lion, Under Armour, ESPN, we remain committed to creating opportunities, expanding access and inspiring the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”
As usual, the CIAA, which is the nation’s oldest HBCU athletic conference, will be a culmination of Black History Month while serving as the “precursor” to March Madness. Students, alumni and supporters of the conference’s 13-member institutions are expected to be in attendance.
Tournament week festivities officially begin Feb. 22 when the Middle Branch Recreation and Wellness Center hosts a youth clinic. The following week or so will be loaded with family-friendly activities, seminars, educational events, meaningful initiatives and its fair share of entertainment.
Along with Bowie State women’s basketball Coach Shadae Swan, the tournament will welcome 16 student-athletes from Baltimore City. This totals the most local participants involved in the tournament since the event returned to Baltimore in person in 2022.
Once again, the 22 games played during an action-packed week will be broadcasted on ESPN+ while championship games on March 1 will appear on ESPNU.
In 2024, the Lincoln men’s basketball team won a hard-fought conference title over Fayetteville State, 54-51, avenging themselves of a CIAA championship loss the year prior when they fell to Winston-Salem State. The Lions sit atop the Northern Division standings with a 10-2 conference record (as of Feb. 11) and look to reclaim the conference crown in a few weeks.
On the women’s side, Fayetteville State was victorious after securing a slim 64-59 over Elizabeth City State. The Broncos are in a favorable position (as of Feb. 11) with the No. 1 seed in the Southern Division standings. Through 22 games so far, they are 15-7 overall and 10-3 against CIAA opponents.
As aforementioned, this year’s tournament will look different. Here’s how:
- Former NBA player and ACC Player of the Year Julius Hodge will lead the Lincoln men’s basketball team as the program’s new head coach. Hodge comes to Lincoln after spending the last three seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
- The Winston-Salem State men’s basketball program welcomed first-year Head Coach Corey Thompson. He replaces former Head Coach Theo Pinson Jr., who led the Rams to a 2023 CIAA Tournament title.
- Perhaps the most noticeable change of this year’s tournament is the suspension of St. Augustine’s athletics programs. This means the men’s and women’s basketball teams will not be competing in the tournament. The CIAA made the announcement last fall after the conference’s board of directors concluded that St. Augustine’s failed “to meet conference compliance requirements, in addition to the concerns regarding SAU’s continued challenges to meet NCAA sports sponsorship and scheduling requirements for the 2024-25 season.”
Last year, the tournament generated an economic impact of $32.5 million, which supported 1,315 part-time and full-time jobs and generated $3.1 million in state and local taxes. Visit Baltimore President and CEO Al Hutchinson expects this year’s tournament to exceed those numbers.
“The CIAA Tournament is more than just basketball—it’s a week-long celebration of Black excellence, HBCU pride, and community,” Hutchinson said.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the CIAA, bringing new and enhanced experiences for fans to enjoy. From the excitement of championship games to community events showcasing Baltimore’s rich Black history and vibrant culture, we invite both visiting and local fans to take part in this unforgettable week.”
Due to the efforts of CIAA officials, sponsors, partners, local business leaders and elected officials, the soon-approaching CIAA Basketball Tournament is expected to bring a week of exhilarating basketball, culture and community to Baltimore.