Charlotte, NC (December 15, 2025) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) announces the launch of the CIAA Create the Cover Challenge, a new art initiative inviting Baltimore City middle school students to design the official program cover for the 2026 CIAA Food Lion Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. Rooted in the CIAA’s commitment to leadership, legacy, and community, the challenge encourages students to create original artwork inspired by this year’s Tournament theme, “Come Home to Baltimore,” with CIAA Basketball prominently represented.
The winning artwork will appear as the cover of the official Tournament Program distributed throughout Championship Week from February 24 to 28, 2026. In addition, the selected student will receive four tickets to both Championship Games, VIP stage access, a CIAA Swag Package, and recognition throughout Championship Weekend. The winning cover will be unveiled at the CIAA Press Conference in Baltimore on January 27, 2026.
The Create the Cover Challenge strengthens the CIAA’s partnership with Baltimore City Public Schools by giving students a platform to showcase their creativity while connecting them to the history, pride, and impact of one of the nation’s most celebrated athletic conferences. Students in grades six through eight are invited to express what “Come Home to Baltimore” means to them while capturing the energy and tradition of CIAA basketball.
Entries must be submitted by January 10, 2026 at 5 PM EST and may be uploaded by teachers, school designated staff, or parents and guardians. All submissions must be uploaded through the official entry link at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScni7rduSyR2hmuGrnLicAOqPJFsL0HM8TrrUQ8G-q9O6Ob9g/viewform
Judging will take place from January 13 through January 20, with the winner notified on January 21, 2026.
“Investing in young people is at the heart of the CIAA’s mission and the legacy we continue to build,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “Baltimore has embraced this Tournament in extraordinary ways, and inviting students to help tell the story of coming home to Baltimore is a meaningful extension of that relationship. We are proud to uplift their voices and celebrate their creativity as part of this year’s Tournament experience.”
About the CIAA: Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the US and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.