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CIAA Tourney Tips in Charlotte
Lut Williams
BCSP Editor
Whether you call it "The C-I" like
the youngsters or the "Double-A" like the
oldheads, the time for the largest and most
successful hoops event in black college sports has arrived.
The 34th addition of the Women's CIAA Basketball Tournament tipped off Tuesday and the 64th Men's Basketball Tournament tipped Wednesday at the NBA Charlotte Bobcats' home, the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, N. C.
The Tournament pits teams from the ten conference institutions competing thru the week for the coveted CIAA Tournament Championship with Saturday's title game winners getting automatic bids to continue playing in the NCAA Div. II national tournaments.
But the CIAA Tournament is much more. It's also the setting for a modern-day
celebration of African-American culture that plays
out in a series of social, entertainment,
marketing and networking events tied to its long
history as a February destination spot for a host
of black people.
Over 181,000 fans were drawn to Charlotte a year ago to witness the eclectic mix of events. And despite troubling economic times, the hosts are looking to attract just as many this time around.
Virginia Union (19-5, 14-4) comes in as the men's top seed but without head coach Dave Robbins, who hung up his whistle last year after 30 precedent-setting seasons.
In his first season at the helm, former Robbins' assistant Willard Coker has continued the Panther's tradition of earning the tournament's top seed, earning the honor for the fourth year in a row.
On the women's side, another first-year coach will lead the top seed. Former Columbia Union head coach Donna Polk, who took over in October just before the start of the season at Bowie State, guided the Lady Bulldogs to a 17-10 overall mark and league-best 14-4 mark in conference play.
Second men's seed Elizabeth City State (21-6, 13-5), who handed VUU a loss to end the regular season and boasts the league's two-time player of the year in forward Anthony Hilliard, is expected to be the VUU's chief challenger.
St. Paul's, with women's Player of the Year Tatiana Ellis and Rookie of the Year Keyona Bryant, handed Bowie State its last regular season loss, 57-54 on Feb. 14.
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