**MEDIA ALERT**
WHAT: Join us for the 2023 CIAA Basketball Tourney Free Throw Showdown Presser to learn more about upcoming events and happenings surrounding the 2023 Men's and Women's Basketball Championship Tournament taking place February 21-25 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD. Also, come for the free throw showdown between the CIAA Commissioner's team and Mayor's team.
In addition to the highly anticipated Division II basketball championship, the annual tournament will again offer a multitude of official celebratory affiliated events that appeal to a diverse demographic of alumni and fans, including community engagement, Super Saturday, step-shows and concerts. Staple events such as Fan Fest, Education Day, and Career Expo will again be featured during tournament week, one of the country's premier college basketball and cultural experiences.
WHO: Available Executives, Politicians and Coaches:
- Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner
- Representative from State of Maryland
- Mayor Brandon Scott, City of Baltimore
- Al Hutchinson, CEO & President, Visit Baltimore
- Dr. Aminta Breaux, President, Bowie State
- Tiffany Reinhardt, Executive Director, Druid Hill Y.
- Kalilah Wright, Business Owner, Mess in a Bottle
- CFG Bank Arena Representative
WHEN: TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 AT 3:00 pm / ET
WHERE: The historic Druid Hill Y located at 1609 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore MD 21217. Press Conference will also be streamed on Facebook LIVE (CIAA).
RSVP: Please RSVP HERE by EOD Monday, January 16.
To get the latest information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Twitch. To get the latest updates on the CIAA Tournament, visit ciaatournament.org.
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. 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. In 2020, the conference celebrates the special 75th anniversary of its Championship Basketball Tournament - an event that has become a must-see in the African American community. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 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, Winston-Salem State University. Bluefield State University was approved as the 13th full member, starting July 1, 2023. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
About Visit Baltimore
Visit Baltimore is the official sales and marketing arm for the City of Baltimore. The 501(c)(6) organization generates economic benefits for stakeholders through the attraction of convention, group and leisure visitors. In 2019, spending by travelers totaled $6 billion in direct spending throughout the city, supporting 86,827 total jobs and generating $750 million in state and city tax revenues. For more information, please visit Baltimore.org.