Athletic Conference of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Admits Predominantly White Member

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was formed a century ago by historically black colleges and universities in North Carolina and Virginia. This past academic year there were 11 member schools, an odd number that makes scheduling difficult.

Now the CIAA has a new member. And for the first time in its 100-year history, a university that is not historically black has joined the conference. Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, has accepted an offer to join the CIAA.

Chowan is affiliated with the Baptist Church. Many of the current CIAA members are also affiliated with various Protestant denominations. The university is in the same geographic area as the other CIAA schools so travel will not be burdensome to any conference members. Also, 43 percent of the students at Chowan University are African Americans.

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