CHARLOTTE, NC– The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announced today that corporate partner Hercules Tires will donate $1 for every free throw made during the 2022-23 men’s and women’s basketball conference season to support mental health as part of a league-wide student-athlete wellness program.  Hercules Tires will present a donation check for the final amount during the 2023 Hercules Tires CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament in February at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD.
 
“What an awesome commitment by Hercules Tires in its support of CIAA student-athletes,” exclaimed Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams . “The mental health of our student-athletes is one of the main pillars in our strategic plan and we plan to strive to advocate and educate the importance of these resources within our community. We hope to continue this partnership to benefit the well-being of our student-athletes.”
 
Hercules Tires has been a CIAA championship partner and the league’s “Official Tire Partner” since 2020, and its multi-year support of the conference has provided valuable resources to benefit all student-athletes and their pursuit of excellence on campus, in competition and in life. “The CIAA values the investment by Hercules Tires to contribute to our member institutions as well as to engage our fans, alumni, and student-athletes across multiple platforms,” said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. “We are pleased to have them be a part of the CIAA family.”
 
“At Hercules, we’re driven by our principles to lead by example with respect for all, in pursuit of excellence,” said Josh Simpson, President of Hercules Tires.  “That’s why this mental health initiative perfectly aligns with the values that guide our business.  As a CIAA partner, we’re proud to support programs that enhance the well-being of student-athletes, and it is our sincere hope that the outcome of our efforts, today, will positively impact these young men and women for years to come.”
 
In addition to the donation drive, Hercules Tires and the conference will showcase “Mental Health Moments” featuring student-athletes to help increase awareness and provide ongoing guidance and support.


Check out the first installment of the #RideOnOurMentalStrength campaign here:
 


 
Van Wagner, the multi-media rights and sponsorship partner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, facilitated the development and execution of this mental health initiative.


 

About CIAA

Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. Chowan University is an associate member for football and bowling. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. 

ABOUT HERCULES TIRES (www.herculestire.com)
Hercules Tires is one of three distinct brands owned by Hercules Tire and Rubber Company. The brand is widely recognized as the industry's premier value brand with a comprehensive selection of passenger, UHP, UTV, light truck, medium truck, agriculture, and specialty tires.. Since 1952, independent tire dealers and distributors have trusted the Hercules brand to deliver outstanding quality, exceptional support, and unsurpassed value. The Hercules Tires brand is available at more than 4000 retail locations across North America.

Hercules Tire and Rubber company is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Tire Distributors, Inc. American Tire Distributors is one of the largest independent suppliers of tires in the North American replacement tire market. The company offers an unsurpassed breadth and depth of inventory, frequent delivery and value-added services via more than 115 distribution centers to approximately 80,000 customers across the U.S. and Canada.

ABOUT VAN WAGNER (www.vanwagner.com)
Van Wagner, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Wagner Group LLC, creates, advises, and sells on behalf of world-class teams, leagues, brands, properties, and colleges. An innovator in the sports and media business, Van Wagner is a global leader in high-impact broadcast visible signage throughout the MLB, NBA, NCAA, and the highest levels of international soccer, sponsorships sales, premium ticketing, college multi-media rights, and in-venue content production at the world’s biggest sporting events.