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CIAA hoops tourney to stay in Raleigh

HAMPTON, VA - After two record-breaking years, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Board of Directors announced Monday that the conference's 2003, 2004 and 2005 basketball tournaments will remain in Raleigh and continue at the city's Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA).Leon Kerry

"It is hard to argue with the success of the CIAA tournament in Raleigh," said CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry, who did not have a vote. "Raleigh is so centrally located in the CIAA landscape, our alumni old and young have flocked to Raleigh, and I think everyone has really had a great experience there. Every year it has gotten bigger and better and we are excited by the potential it has there."

According to Kerry, Raleigh beat out Charlotte, N.C., for the three-year deal as host city, primarily because of the features of the ESA.

The ESA has 70 suites meaning the conference can make those prime locations in the arena available to sponsors, school presidents and even fans. The Charlotte Coliseum, despite having more seats than the ESA, only has around 12 suites.

The conference is currently entering the third and final year of its initial three-year contract with Raleigh. The tournament moved to Raleigh in 1999 after three years in Winston-Salem's Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum and has experienced tremendous growth. Following the 2001 tournament in Raleigh, it was calculated that tournament attendance had jumped 72 percent since moving there.

The CIAA board of directors indicated that Raleigh's location and proximity to so many alumni, fans and students, not only in North Carolina, but in Virginia, played a major role. "Charlotte had more seats but it's also five hours away from our fans in Virginia," said Kerry noting that dollar-wise the bids were similar. "Plus, we have a history in Raleigh, and it's a good one. I think that gave them the edge."

The tournament has a projected impact of $8.5 million on the local economy, said Kerry.

"The CIAA tournament, in a very short time, has become a headlining event in Raleigh that the whole city and region looks forward to every year," said Raleigh Mayor Paul Coble. "The tournament is a part of our city, our culture and our sporting lives. The CIAA tournament helps define the city of Raleigh."

The conference its celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and is planning events around the basketball tournament to commemorate the historic accomplishment.

© 2001 Azeez Communications, Inc.