CIAA women’s basketball tournament thriving as it celebrates 50 years of excellence, tradition and heart

The current Bowie State University women’s basketball team, dressed in shimmering gold uniforms, sat shoulder to shoulder, their smiles beaming with pride following a home victory over Bluefield State on Feb. 1. But they weren’t alone. Surrounding them during a nostalgic afternoon when Bowie State celebrated 50 years of excellence were the legends—the women who had paved the way and fought for every win, scholarship, and the respect the program now commanded.

At that moment, generations of Bulldogs, united by a shared history, came together. Their shared experiences were blended into every hug, handshake, and knowing glance bonding them forever. Some had played when the jerseys were different, the gym was smaller, and the road to success was steeper. Yet, they had endured, building something bigger than themselves.

Now, the young women in gold understood—they weren’t just players. They were heirs to a legacy of distinction, the next chapter in a story written by those who came before. And as the camera clicked, capturing this moment in time, they knew they weren’t just posing for a photo.

They were standing in history.

This year carries deeper meaning as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will celebrate the 50-year anniversary of its women’s basketball tournament at CFG Arena in Baltimore beginning on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and concluding on Saturday, March 1—a milestone etched in grit, passion, and history.

Held during the final week of Black History Month, the annual CIAA tournament always celebrates culture, excellence, and the unbreakable spirit of its HBCUs, alums, and students.

Women’s sports surging

With excitement and investment in women’s sports reaching unprecedented heights, there’s no better time to honor the extraordinary years of growth. More eyes are on women’s basketball, and the athletes are being valued, appreciated, and celebrated. Nationally, attendance has skyrocketed, and television ratings have soared.

The 2023-24 academic year was monumental for women in sports as it enjoyed a landmark year, beginning when 92,003 fans watched Nebraska volleyball defeat Omaha at Memorial Stadium in August 2023. It was the largest crowd to witness a women’s sporting event in the United States.

The women’s basketball national championship game between Iowa and South Carolina in April had a record 18.9 million viewers. Texas and Oklahoma’s matchup in the 2024 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) Finals drew two million viewers. It was the most-watched WCWS Finals ever, an increase of 24% from 2023 and 3% from 2015, the previous all-time high.

Proof of its popularity, each women’s basketball game of the CIAA tournament will be televised or streamed on the ESPN family of networks for the fifth consecutive season with both championship games airing on ESPNU. It’s a great time to highlight women, especially after Nike’s phenomenal and powerful “So Win” campaign commercial aired during the Super Bowl. It featured a star-studded cast of some of the most transcendent women in sports right now, including A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, JuJu Watkins, Jordan Chiles, Sabrina Ionescu, Sha’Carri Richardson, Alexia Putellas, Aryna Sabalenka, and Sophia Smith Wilson.

“The acknowledgment for women’s sports is well overdue,” veteran Bowie State head women’s basketball coach Shadae Shaw said to The Next, standing outside her locker room. “There’s a lot of things that we don’t acknowledge or talk about. It’s not in the media or on social media. So, it’s good that the CIAA is putting an emphasis on celebrating this milestone, especially since last year, when we celebrated Title IX. It’s two years in a row that we can celebrate women’s sports, and I think that’s awesome.”

This tournament will honor the determination, trailblazing accomplishments, and enduring buoyancy of the CIAA’s women athletes. More than just a celebration, it will serve as a powerful tribute to the barriers they’ve broken, the sacrifices they’ve made, and the lasting legacy they continue to create for future generations. The intentional hashtag #PaintingHERStory will highlight the week for the conference tournament.

Among some of the activities and initiatives during the week include an EmpowerHER Town Hall, a Women’s Empowerment Brunch presented by Nationwide; Ladies’ Night on Championship Saturday; The Mind, Body, Soul Panel; and the John B. McClendon Jr. CIAA Hall of Fame Breakfast, with a special focus on leaders in women’s sports. Two years ago, the CIAA celebrated Title IX’s 50th anniversary with meaningful programs that resonated with many of the attendees.

“The best part is it’s not performative in any way,” former CIAA administrator and current University of Maryland staffer Tiffani Sykes said of the conference’s acknowledgment of women. “They have always celebrated women. When Leon Kerry was the commissioner, he always thought it appropriate for men and women to play on the same court. So, the women weren’t at a separate venue from the men.

“When the men moved to an NBA arena and played on an NBA court, the women moved to an NBA arena and played on an NBA court. I’m excited to celebrate with so many women I know will be there. I had the opportunity to see Arlene Creek recently at a Bowie State game. She serves on the all-tournament selection committee, and it made me think about people like her who paved the way for us to get the opportunity to have this type of celebration.”

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‘The Sheriff’

The CIAA tournament is special – an environment where greatness is authenticated.

Half a century of game-winning shots that sent crowds into a frenzy, of transcendent players who redefined the game, of legendary teams that left their mark, and of a much-anticipated tournament that has become more than just competition— the heartbeat of a sisterhood, ensuring that the spirit of the game lives on.

Starting with Cheyney State and CIAA member Lincoln University, HBCUs have always served as engines of economic empowerment, beacons of missions, movements, and milestones, shaping generations through education, culture, and strength, empowering alums and students to shatter limits and redefine success.

The CIAA was founded in 1912 as the Colored Intercollegiate Athletic Association; adopting its current name in December 1950. The Division II conference stretches from Pennsylvania to South Carolina and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It’s the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference.

The first basketball tournament, which was men only, was held in Washington, D.C. in 1946. The first women’s basketball tournament was held in 1975, and Norfolk State won. The CIAA women’s tournament was first in separate arenas but eventually merged into one venue with the men during the 1990’s.

As women’s basketball uniforms have evolved from simple and oversized to high-performance, personalized, and tech-driven apparel, enhancing performance and player expression, each selfie and story binds generations and connects souls, a shared expression of excellence passed from pioneers to rising stars.

Former Shaw legend Latasha Shipman-Ganus immediately pulled out her scrapbook, which transported her back to a time of body-banging battles in the post and fun moments with her teammates. Sykes smiled at the numerous memories, especially since her birthday usually falls during the CIAA Tournament. She was 13 when she attended her first CIAA Tournament in Richmond.

Arlene Creek remembers the humble beginnings, championships, and the shot that denied her Bowie State program a fourth consecutive championship in 2002. A terrific student-athlete pre-Title IX, Creek recalls the times when female athletes had “play day” followed by socials. Affectionately known as “Sheriff,” Creek will be inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame this year.

She has been a Bulldog for over 40 years as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator. As a coach, Creek won consecutive conference championships in women’s basketball, including Bowie State’s first women’s basketball title in 1978 as a member of the Association of Intercollegiate Women (AIAW).

“The growth has been marvelous,” Creek shared. “When the women first started out with their tournaments, I want to say that they only took the top four teams. So, if you were ranked number five, you didn’t get to go. It has grown from the top four to include every school in CIAA. The growth has also been with them, integrating the tournament with the men. So, you know, the men play one day, the women play the next day. That’s huge, but we still have a long way to go.”

For Shipman-Ganus, it was about more than winning; it was about proving that she and Shaw’s teammates belonged in the spotlight. She remembers the heated locker room discussions and the tossed bottle of Gatorade that ricocheted off the wall and exploded in a torrent of colorful liquid thanks to her teammate Naomi Mobley, who joined Shaw from the University of Florida in 2002. The humorous memory is still discussed whenever players from that team get together.

“She got our attention,” Shipman-Ganus recalled to The Next while laughing. “Now, that was back in the day, so I don’t know if we could do anything like that today, but we knew that it came from a competitive, great place because she knew how great we were as a team and how far we had come. We knew we weren’t playing to our potential.

“That’s really what’s going to sustain our conference—stories. We don’t have enough women who can tell the story. As far as women’s leagues go, our stories keep the legacy alive.”

‘Exceeded the hype’

For Sykes, the CIAA Tournament has always been a way of life. It’s in her blood. It’s one of two major HBCU events she looks forward to, the other being the Bayou Classic football game in New Orleans after Thanksgiving between Grambling State and Southern. In recent years, the Cricket Celebration Bowl in Atlanta – a football championship game in mid-December matching the champions of the MEAC and SWAC — has started to rise to a much-anticipated event.

Not only does her birthday usually fall during the week-long tournament, but Sykes’ father also played at Norfolk State when it was in the CIAA with future NBA star Bobby Dandridge and Pee Wee Kirkland. A veteran athletics administrator who has worked at numerous schools, including Virginia Union, Grambling State, Norfolk State, Chowan, Florida A&M, Dartmouth, and Maryland, Sykes rarely misses a tournament, whether she’s there for a day, a few hours, or longer, Sykes always schedules time on her calendar to make an appearance. It means that much. Sykes remembers her parents buying their CIAA tournament outfits months in advance.

While it’s a fun experience wrapped around an intense basketball tournament, Sykes appreciates the significance of the conference’s celebration of women. The memorable week plans to celebrate the success, distinction, resilience, and pioneering spirit of the CIAA’s female athletes.

Virginia State alum Katania Walker, the 2006 CIAA Rookie of the Year, remembers her first experience competing in the CIAA tournament.

“The CIAA Tournament exceeded the hype,” Walker shared during a phone call with The Next. “Playing in an NBA arena, for one, everybody doesn’t get that opportunity. It might have been a little overwhelming at first, with the games being back-to-back and all the people in the stands. Everybody’s playing for the championship. Every female player that enters the CIAA leaves some imprint.”

The competition was fierce, but the friendships forged in the fire lasted a lifetime. Walker remembered all the tough battles with Gabrielle Johnson, who played for now-defunct Saint Paul’s College, about an hour south of Virginia State on Interstate 85.

They clashed. They elbowed. They left it all on the court. And then, they became friends—true friends, the kind who still keep in touch after all these years. That’s one of the best parts of the CIAA Tournament. Players fight tooth and nail for every rebound, every point, but at the end of the day, the bonds formed in those battles are unbreakable regardless of school.

“Those friendships matter,” Walker said. “Those memories matter, and those impacts matter as well. Knowing that I was a part of that, playing in this tournament celebrating 50 years has me in awe. The CIAA truly holds a special place in my heart … I love seeing everybody being able to come together.”

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In 2008, after Walker’s Virginia State team ended Johnson’s Saint Paul’s tournament run in the CIAA quarterfinals in Charlotte, something powerful occurred, a gesture that transcended the scoreboard. Johnson visited the Virginia State locker room, hugged Walker, and offered words of encouragement. It was a quiet acknowledgment of respect, the kind only true competitors understand.

For Walker, the spirit of the CIAA is best captured by the title of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us” and Frankie Beverly’s iconic tune “Before I Let Go.”

“The CIAA is different,” Walker said, her voice carrying the weight of nostalgia and pride. “I’m not even being biased. It’s not like any other conference. It stands alone. I loved the competition, the fire, the intensity. I embraced the wins, but even the losses shaped me. The CIAA tournament isn’t just a game—it’s an experience. Playing against other talented women pushed me. Whether friends or fierce opponents, we made each other better in ways only we could understand.”

The CIAA Tournament is more than basketball — even though 22 games are contested in six days. It’s a celebration of Black culture and accomplishments that uplift and strengthen the African American community that includes educational programming and various community engagement activities. Some of the highlights of the week include a college fair, step-show, and fan fest.

The women’s tournament has been played in Norfolk, Winston-Salem, Richmond, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Baltimore. Arenas were decorated with signage, flowers, and large colorful banners with every school’s logo, making the tournament feel bigger than an NCAA Tournament experience or an NBA Finals game.

The fans added to the magic. Throughout the years, celebrities from Allen Iverson to Michelle Obama to Kevin Hart to Idris Elba to Letoya Luckett to Mary J. Blige sat courtside, enhancing the buzz. Their energy fueled the teams, pushing them to iconic performances.

The tournament resembles a family reunion and homecoming celebration rolled into one full of traditions. People who haven’t seen each other for an entire year make plans to meet during the CIAA tournament. The aroma of fried chicken, candied yams, collard greens, fish, and funnel cakes wafts through the concourse like an unspoken invitation—familiar, comforting, and impossible to resist. Each participating program have an official hotel headquarters where they plan specific networking events, happy hours, and parties for their alums.

Roaring fans proudly wearing their orange-and-blue, blue-and-white, and maroon-and-white school colors wave rally towels, furiously chant, and rhythmically clap. Cheerleaders and bands add to the pageantry of the experience by entertaining fans with a sparkling blend of soul, spirit and sizzle.

“It was almost like going to a family barbecue,” Shipman-Ganus said, laughing. “If you didn’t know how to play spades, you weren’t part of an HBCU family. On the court, it was the same thing. We played on the big stage, surrounded by people who supported every school. We weren’t used to that level of production. After a few appearances, you embraced it and looked forward to the tournament. We talked trash—oh, we talked a lot of trash—but you had to back it up when you spoke it. “

‘An inspiration to everyone’

The tournament will feature a tinge of sadness as it will be without two of its major supporters: former Virginia State athletics director Peggy Davis, who will be inducted into the 2025 CIAA Hall of Fame, and Abraham Mitchell, affectionately known as “Mr. CIAA.” They both passed away recently.

Leading with integrity, enthusiasm, and passion, Davis served 27 years as a former head women’s basketball coach, associate vice president of intercollegiate athletics, and first female CIAA interim commissioner. After leading Virginia State to the CIAA championship, Davis was the 2002 CIAA Coach of the Year. She continuously sought ways to elevate the women’s tournament and promote equality.

When she played for Virginia State, Walker remembered seeing Davis sit behind the scorers’ table during home games but, more importantly, hearing her stern voice cut through the Niagara of noise in small and stuffy Daniel Gym on VSU’s Petersburg campus. The words “you have to hustle,” “get back on defense,” and “keep shooting” still echo in Walker’s memory.

Yet, deep down, Walker knew it was tough love – the type that continually challenged Walker out of her comfort zone and held her accountable. It was demanding, it was relentless, but it was never unkind. The lessons still resonate with Walker long after the final buzzer, now as a schoolteacher and middle school basketball coach.

Davis was announced as the posthumous recipient of the 2025 Jimmy Jenkins Legacy Award.

“They both will truly be missed,” Walker said of Davis and Mitchell. “I know that at Virginia State, Miss Peggy played a big part in athletics, especially women’s basketball. In addition to supporting the program and wanting us to do well, she also pushed us to be classy young ladies. She believed in me when I was at Virginia State.”

Stylishly dressed in suits of the red-and-black of Winston-Salem, the orange-and-blue of Lincoln and Virginia State, the black-and-gold of Bowie State, the blue-and-gold of Johnson C. Smith, and the blue-and-white of Fayetteville State and Elizabeth City State, Mitchell also sported the colors of every school multiple times throughout the day.

A member of the CIAA Hall of Fame Mitchell, slow-strolled throughout the arena with the latest fits, umbrella, hat, and welcoming smile. He graciously posed for photos when excited fans stopped him in the arena and on the concourse. Mitchell was the soul of the tournament and a must-see attraction. He attended every tournament from 1975 until recently when his health prevented him from attending. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.

“He was just an inspiration to everyone,” Sykes recalled of Mitchell. “All eyes were on him when he walked into the arena. It made me want to be a showstopper. I have this picture of myself with Mr. CIAA. I have a gold pantsuit with a long jacket and a fox fur collar around my neck. I cannot believe that I wore fur-trimmed suits to the CIAA tournament in the ’90s or early 2000s. It was the year’s culmination for me, the same way people look forward to the Super Bowl or Thanksgiving dinner with their families. The CIAA event was always the can’t miss event for me when I was growing up, and for my family.”

‘Part of this legacy’

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker has the unique perspective of being a member of Hampton’s 1988 NCAA Division II championship team, a coach, an administrator at another CIAA school, and now leading the conference. While she accomplished plenty during her career and advanced the CIAA’s legacy of excellence during her 12-year run as commissioner, McWilliams-Parker is still bothered by the one loss during Hampton’s 33-1 national championship season – the lone setback to Virginia State in the CIAA championship game.

McWilliams-Parker has seen the CIAA evolve from an expansion that welcomed back original members in Lincoln University and Bluefield State and its most recent member, Claflin College, long after Norfolk State, Hampton, Morgan State, Delaware State, Howard, Maryland Eastern Shore (formerly Maryland State), North Carolina A&T, and North Carolina Central transitioned to Division I. Though it lost its foundational members, the CIAA has continued to thrive because of its traditions, essence, and rich heritage.

From the early days when men’s and women’s tournaments were held separately to today’s unified event, the journey has been filled with challenges, triumphs, and a relentless push for progress. Despite limited exposure, the talent and dedication of the athletes always shined, regardless of who was watching.

Women’s games were rarely televised, and if they were, it was only on championship day, often relegated to late-night slots. Now, fans can find women’s basketball everywhere thanks to ESPN, Fox Sports, AspireTV, CBS, HBCUGo, and the Grio, who have invested in showcasing the CIAA’s programs.

“I’m excited,” McWilliams-Parker said. “Part of it is because I’m part of this legacy, and so I’ve experienced it as a coach, a player, and now as a leader. To bring it full circle and tell her story is a pretty significant job, but it has to happen … There was something about the mental toughness of these players. They love the game. I’m sure not all of us were getting scholarships. The reality is that every single woman who played in this conference contributed to the growth of the game. You saw a lot of great players because they loved the game.”

United by their love of basketball and fierce competitive spirit, countless exceptional players have served as the bridge connecting 50 years of history. They chased dreams that demanded extraordinary courage, passion, and dedication. Every practice, game, and shared moment became a cherished thread in the rich tapestry of the CIAA.

In addition to the 1988 Hampton squad led by legendary coach James Sweat, the 1983 Virginia Union team guided by Lou Hearn and the 2012 Shaw University teams won NCAA Division II national championships. McWilliams-Parker’s teammate Jackie Dolberry was the anchor of the Hampton national championship team. She’s still the all-time leading scorer in CIAA history with 2,645 points.

Starting with Virginia State’s Kammy Brown, the CIAA Tournament’s first most outstanding player in 1988, the greatness of the individuals who have stepped on the court through the decades gave the conference its fabric. Lisa Rice of Norfolk State claimed the tournament’s MOP award in 1992, 1993, and 1995.

While the CIAA has had great teams, none have matched the mystique and tradition of the Shaw Bears, owners of a league-best 11 championships. Shaw, located in Raleigh, won nine championships in an astonishing 12-year span and cut nobody any slack. Shaw was the gold standard with its success, swagger, and stars.

Shaw embraced the villain role because it knew they were the team everybody wanted to defeat.

Kiarsha Curtis, who helped lead Shaw to three consecutive CIAA championships under legendary head coach Jaques Curtis, will be inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame this year. She was named the 2004 and 2005 CIAA Most Outstanding Player. The Bears were ranked No. 1 in the nation and won the South Atlantic Region title in 2005.

Shipman-Ganus played with Jessica Hawkins, who was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 2023, and Nastassia Boucicault, the 2006 CIAA MOP.

North Carolina Central’s Cassie King and Virginia Union’s Shareka McNeill are forever linked because they hold the single-game CIAA women’s tournament record for points with 59. Those artistic performances were splashed with flair and finesse. King established the mark in 2005, which McNeill tied in 2019. McNeill outscored Livingstone College in a 91-57 victory.

LaKisha Phifer-Patterson, who played for Saint Paul’s in the mid-90s, was one of the greatest shot blockers in NCAA history. CIAA Hall of Famer Celeste Trahan-Davis was the first Elizabeth City State player to earn All-CIAA honors in four straight seasons.

North Carolina Central’s Amba Kongolo, the 2001 and 2002 CIAA Player of the Year, is the only CIAA player drafted into the WNBA by the Phoenix Mercury in 2002. Overall, 39 women’s basketball players and two women’s basketball teams are in the CIAA Hall of Fame. A number that will increase with the induction of Curtis and Winston-Salem State’s Sharon Holloway Tanner being inducted this year.

The tournament remains as competitive as ever, boasting three different champions over the past three years: Lincoln (2022), Elizabeth City State (2023), and Fayetteville State (2024).

Standout players like Fayetteville State’s KaNyah O’Neal, Virginia Union’s Maia Charles, and Shaw’s Skylar Adams are carrying the torch of CIAA excellence, crafting unforgettable moments that will inspire future generations for the next 50 years.

“This is a conference where you can’t look at records going into the tournament because anybody can win on any given day,” Shaw said. “It doesn’t matter who we play because every team is going to go out and compete hard on every single play. You get the best of every school when you go to the tournament. That’s what I love about it.”

‘Responsibility to celebrate history’

The legacies of Fredrick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall, Elijah Cummings, and all the other Black Baltimoreans that have changed this world have made Baltimore the perfect location to commemorate a tradition of brilliance and reflect on the CIAA’s journey of perseverance and success. According to a CIAA press release, last year’s tournament generated a total economic impact of $32.5 million for the Baltimore community. In addition, $3.1 million in state and local tax revenue was generated.   

With all the great athletes who have represented and played in the tournament, McWilliams-Parker is intentional in showcasing the importance of Black women in sports and honoring those who came before. This reflects how far women’s athletics have come, both in visibility and in breaking down barriers for female athletes in historically underrepresented spaces.

“The CIAA tournament matters because it has made a huge contribution, not just because of basketball, but all of our sports, have been contributors to this country,” McWilliams-Parker said. “We have a responsibility to celebrate the history and the shoulders that we are stepping on that got us this far. It can be an emotional time sometimes for me, when I think about the current time we’re in, and how much work and sweat equity that we have put in to advance our institutions, to give our student athletes opportunities when they didn’t have it, and some of them still don’t in some places, but we have that. The tournament is special, particularly because we’re able to bring all of our schools together.”

However, there’s a bigger purpose behind the tournament. The CIAA is part of a tradition and spirit that binds every HBCU and its alums together. It’s a sacred and shared experience.

“The more people can see and value the importance of our HBCUs, it will allow them to get engaged and support our student athletes,” McWilliams-Parker said. “The better sustainability that we have means we need you to purchase tickets. … We’re student-athlete centered. I know people want to have fun and we’re going to do that too. We are known to party and eat and do all those great things, but just don’t forget that the center of why we still exist is because of those people who value the heart of HBCUs. We need them more than ever right now.”

Fifty years in, the tournament continues to be a stage where history is made, women’s stories unfold, and the game thrives. Women have a long overdue stage to showcase their brilliance.

One thing that remains certain is that the bright lights will always shine on the players who fearlessly step onto the court and claim their place in history: The trailblazers, the dreamers, the game changers, the innovators, and more importantly, the ballers.

Perhaps, their achievements will be immortalized in another celebratory snapshot 50 years from now.