CIAA EXPANDS, ADDS CHOWAN AS FULL MEMBER:
In a press release on Tuesday, the CIAA Board of Directors announced that in an historic move, it had voted to admit Chowan University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2009.

Chowan, a Christian educational institution founded in Northeastern North Carolina in 1848 by Baptist families and named to honor the Native American Algonquin Chowanook tribe, proved to be a perfect match for the CIAA in terms of historical foundation, geography, educational synergies, and commitment to its student athletes. Chowan initially joined the conference to participate in football only for the 2008 season.

"Chowan University's membership affirms the CIAA's commitment to building a diverse and competitive conference and represents a new chapter in the CIAA's history of blazing new trails and raising the bar in NCAA Division II sports," says Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber, Chair, CIAA Board of Directors.

Chowan is positioned in the Northeast region of the state, which is home to the CIAA's Elizabeth City State University and a short distance from the Hampton Roads, Newport News and Virginia Beach areas, a traditional hotbed for CIAA fans and alumni.

"Today I am very proud of our Board of Directors for taking such a visionary approach to the expansion of this great conference," stated CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry. "From a competitive stand point, Chowan offers a natural rivalry for our existing institutions."

Chowan is a Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) of which the CIAA and its schools are members as well.

2008-09 CIAA HOOPS TIPOFF:
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced its pre-season all-conference teams and predicted order of finish at its basketball press conference and luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center last Thursday.

CIAA TV host Stan Lewter interviewed both men's and women's head coaches on their prospects for the upcoming 2008-09 season. CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry gave an update of conference news and a preview of the 2009 Tournament to be held Feb. 24-28 in Charlotte. The conference also unveiled the 2009 tournament logo.

A trio of men's coaches made their debuts led by Willard Coker who takes over after 30 years from CIAA standard bearer Dave Robbins at Virginia Union. The other new faces on the sidelines on the men's side are Shaw head man Cleo Hill, Jr., and Lonnie Blow at St. Augustine's. Donna Polk at Bowie State, J. J. Oliver on an interim basis at St. Augustine's and Angelyne Brown at Livingstone are the new women's head coaches.

Bowie State's men and women were the predicted top picks in the CIAA Eastern Division while Johnson C. Smith's men and women were selected first in the West.

© 2008 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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