- Posted in All University
- Category: Campus News
Lincoln University (PA) is one of the 12 member institutions of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). On September 30, the CIAA Board of Directors issued the following announcement regarding its North Carolina-based conference championships. READ CIAA STATEMENT
The following are the critical factors/issues that were part of the decision-making process:
1. The CIAA has a long and inclusive relationship with the Charlotte community. The CIAA is not a transitory group, rather its historical roots have generated a sustained identity similar to that of the Charlotte Hornets and the Carolina Panthers.
2. The Charlotte community and its primary leadership across a broad coalition of groups is still strong and uncompromising in their pursuit of inclusive justice for all groups. This commitment is an integral part of the effort to heal the divisions with the city and North Carolina as a whole. The CIAA aligns itself with the city leaders and community organizations who are driving this critical initiative.
3. The decision by NCAA and the ACC to remove their championships from North Carolina were based upon thoughtful ethical considerations and a recognition of their own financial resources. The CIAA shares many of the same ethical sentiments, however the CIAA’s financial resources and those of the 12 individual HBCU’s will have a strong influence on a decision to stay or to move the basketball tournament out of Charlotte. The reality is that the CIAA and its constituent schools are not in a position to deal with the economic consequences of moving the 2017 men’s and women’s basketball tournament so close to February. Even more important is the loss of scholarship support for students and student-athletes, and this would cause many of them to either extend time-to-degree or simply drop out.
4. The CIAA cannot abdicate its responsibility to support the large number of small businesses and vendors, many of them minority, who rely on the tournament to sustain their financial well-being. In many cases this is their largest payday of the year. Among major cities Charlotte ranks very low in terms of upward mobility relative to the progression of certain groups, and very high in terms of income inequity. The CIAA desires to work with the city in a more expansive and sustained way to reverse these trends.
5. The CIAA basketball tournament is a week-long event involving multiple events and large group participation. It is very difficult at this late date to identify a similar urban location that could accommodate the tournament.
6. The CIAA is well aware of the politics and passion associated with the issues of HB2 and minority safety and injustices in Charlotte. In fact many of our individual campuses have witnessed student-led rallies and educational forums that address these critical issues. During the tournament the City of Charlotte, the CIAA, and community organizations will provide reasonable accommodations to those groups who wish to express their views about the decision to host the tournament. And at the same time we will guarantee the safety and freedom of movement of our fans, alumni, students, student athletes, and the general public.