A look back on the CIAA Tournament in Baltimore

The oldest African American athletic conference hosted its annual basketball tournament in Baltimore this year.

Jordan D. Brown

Thousands of HBCU alumni traveled to the Royal Farms Arena to celebrate the CIAA and support their schools.

Jordan D. Brown and Trae Mitchell
February 26, 2022

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) hosted its annual basketball tournament in Baltimore at Royal Farms Arena this week.

The CIAA is the oldest African American athletic conference in the country, consisting of 12 historically black colleges and universities.

  • Bowie State University 
  • Claflin University
  • Elizabeth City State University 
  • Fayetteville State University
  • Johnson C. Smith University 
  • Lincoln University 
  • Livingstone College
  • Saint Augustine’s University 
  • Shaw University 
  • Virginia State University 
  • Virginia Union University 
  • Winston-Salem State University

Thousands of HBCU alumni traveled to Baltimore to watch their schools’ men’s and women’s basketball teams compete for a conference championship.

Lincoln’s women’s basketball team was victorious against Elizabeth City with a 67-52 defeat and won the championship. Lincoln’s Bryanna Brown earned the MVP award with 28 points, six rebounds and two steals.

On the men’s end, Fayetteville State defeated Virginia Union 65-62 and took home the championship trophy. Cress Worthy was named MVP of the game with 13 points and six assists.

The CIAA tournament consists of more than just basketball. HBCU alumni came to town for the vendors, parties, step shows, band performances and more.

Review the past week of the CIAA tournament in a Spokesman-cultivated photo gallery.

CIAA Vendors
Trae Mitchell
Vendors sold HBCU paraphernalia while fans from all over the nation cheered their favorite teams on.
Vendors sold HBCU paraphernalia while fans from all over the nation cheered their favorite teams on. (Trae Mitchell)
The CIAA held their first tournament in Turner’s Arena, Washington DC. The CIAA’s 12 teams traveled to Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore to participate in this year’s tournament. (Trae Mitchell)
Many participating teams like Winston Salem State University, brought their band, dance teams, and cheerleaders for support and to energize crowds. (Trae Mitchell)
Fayetteville State and Livingstone College gear up after halftime to begin the second half of play. (Jordan D. Brown)
Livingstone College played against Fayetteville State at 6 p.m. Both teams traveled upwards of 350 miles to attend the tournament. Cress Worthy dunks the basket (Jordan D. Brown)
Fans from throughout the nation paid up to $40 per ticket to watch their HBCUs play. (Jordan D. Brown)
On Feb. 25, Fayetteville State defeated Livingstone College to advance to the 2022 CIAA tournament. (Jordan D. Brown)
The tournament went on throughout the week of Feb. 22 through 26. In addition to attending games, fans participated in parties and events. (Jordan D. Brown)

*This article has been updated to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. It was originally known as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association.