The CIAA is expanding its Championship Weekend this fall, bringing four of the conference’s top football programs to Durham County Memorial Stadium.
The conference unveiled the move on Wednesday at CIAA Media Day alongside its preseason poll and preseason team, saying the weekend will now begin Friday, Nov. 13, with a newly added game featuring the teams that finish third and fourth in the final regular-season standings.
The 56th CIAA Football Championship will follow Saturday, Nov. 14, pitting the conference’s top two teams against each other.
“The excitement surrounding CIAA Football continues to grow, and we are thrilled to officially begin another season,” CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker said. “Last year’s championship reminded us how competitive this conference has become, and we expect that momentum to continue this fall. Expanding Championship Weekend allows us to celebrate even more of our student-athletes while creating an enhanced experience for our fans, member institutions and partners.”
If the format existed last season Virginia Union, Johnson C. Smith, Fayetteville State and Virginia State would have been the four team involved in an expanded championship week.
Durham will host CIAA Football Championship Weekend for the second consecutive year as part of the conference’s partnership with the Durham Sports Commission.
