The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Board of Directors voted last week to approve Durham, North Carolina, as the site of the conference championship game starting next year.
The championship will be played at the Durham County Memorial Stadium as the event’s selected venue.
“The CIAA looks forward to returning to Durham County Memorial Stadium,” explained CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “Our recent media rights partnership with HBCU Go gives us the opportunity to showcase our top teams in a centralized location, again where the football championship has thrived in the past. The CIAA will have an opportunity to engage in the community beyond the game in a way that supports the mission of the conference.”
Bids were also submitted by the cities of Charlotte and Salem, Virginia. The conference said it reviewed several factors in its decision to move to Durham, including “facility use and staffing, team support, opportunities for community engagement, and involvement of the local business community.”
Salem has been the home of the CIAA championship since 2017. It is commended for its expertise and a job well done for not only CIAA championships for the past seven years but also its celebration in 2023 for hosting over 100 NCAA events.
“Durham has a great history with this event, and we are immensely proud to once again be hosting the CIAA Football Championship in Durham,” said Marcus Manning, executive director of the Durham sports commission. We are dedicated to showcasing our vibrant community here in Durham while also celebrating diversity and creating an unforgettable experience for fans, spectators, and student-athletes.”
The football championship was previously held in Durham from 2008-2012 and 2014-2015, drawing crowds of over 10,000 fans. The CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship is also hosted in Durham at the same venue in accordance with a three-year agreement that will run through 2025.
CIAA-member Shaw University currently hosts its home football and soccer games at the venue.
Courtesy: CIAA
