CHARLOTTE – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s first African American athletic conference, is changing its playbook for annual media day activities and will host its first-ever virtual press conference on Friday, October 5 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET on the CIAA Sports Network. The virtual media day tips off the basketball season leading to the 2019 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships.

The new format features a mix of traditional and modern ways to preview the upcoming basketball season, one of the most anticipated sporting events on the CIAA’s calendar as well as one of the biggest NCAA events, drawing sports fans, HBCU alumni and students, as well as attendees from the surrounding community.

“We’re excited to hold our first-ever Virtual Media Day, incorporating technology and social media into our highly anticipated preview of the CIAA’s biggest championship,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “Our new format allows us to include media beyond the Charlotte area and offers sports fans and the general public a chance to ask questions and interact with their favorite teams.   With the Virtual Media Day and our new ‘Live the Legacy’ campaign we aim to inject a new level of excitement and engagement into the 2019 Basketball Championships.”

On Thursday, October 4, a special Youth Basketball Clinic for children ages 7-13 will be hosted by CIAA coaches and student-athletes on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. On Friday, October 5, the CIAA’s inaugural Virtual Media Day invites members of the press, sports fans, and the general public an opportunity to submit questions via Twitter for CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams and the assembled basketball coaches and student-athletes representing the 13 CIAA member schools. Questions can be submitted through Thursday on Twitter by tagging @CIAAForLife and using the hashtag #CIAAHoops. All interviews, hosted by Stan Lewter, will air live on the conference’s new CIAA Sports Network.

9:30 a.m.         Lincoln University

9:45 a.m.         Bowie State University

10:00 a.m.       Elizabeth City State University

10:15 a.m.       Chowan University

10:30 a.m.       Virginia Union University

10:45 a.m.       Virginia State University

11:00 a.m.       Fayetteville State University

11:15 a.m.       Shaw University

11:30 a.m.       St. Augustine’s University

11:45 a.m.       Claflin University

12:00 p.m.       Winston-Salem State University

12:15 p.m.       Livingstone University

12:30 p.m.       Johnson C. Smith University

The CIAA recently unveiled its new marketing campaign theme “Live the Legacy” and 2019 logo to launch the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball season. The new campaign showcases the CIAA’s pillars of tradition, leadership, and community, and highlights the annual legendary sports experience.

With the Live the Legacy campaign, the CIAA seeks to attract and engage new fans to its historic conference. Ranked third among the most attended and anticipated NCAA events, the CIAA Basketball Tournament currently draws over 150,000 fans. The new multi-platform campaign will celebrate the CIAA’s storied past, embrace the present and connect fans to its future.  In addition, the campaign is designed to showcase the CIAA schools, players and coaches, plus fans of the game and the conference’s immersive cultural experience.

Charlotte will host the 2019 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament from February 25 – March 2, 2019, at Bojangles’ Coliseum and Spectrum Center, featuring the conference’s 13-member institutions, including its newest member Claflin University.

NOTE: For more information about the 2019 CIAA Basketball Tournament please visit, CIAATournament.org.