CHARLOTTE, NC (Sept. 18, 2024) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically black athletic conference, will tip off its 2024-25 basketball season with its annual Basketball Media Day on Monday, October 7th at the Under Armour Campus in Baltimore, Maryland.
"We are incredibly excited to gather our basketball student-athletes, head coaches, and programs in the city of Baltimore for the upcoming media day" said CIAA commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker. "It's an honor to hold this event in a city that does a tremendous job of celebrating our event, and we can't help but thank the CIAA Network, HBCU Go, and all other vital parties who play a role in composing this wonderful event."
On October 7th, all the CIAA men’s and women’s head basketball coaches and select players will be in Baltimore, Maryland, which is also the site of the 2025 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament.
The upcoming tournament marks a huge milestone for the women's basketball tournament, as it will be the 50th tournament played with the first one dating back to 1975.
Each of the CIAA's 26 head basketball coaches and select players from each program will be interviewed by Stan Lewter & Thai Floyd, who will serve as co-hosts, as the coaches and student-athletes discuss their outlook on their respective programs and expectations for the upcoming season.
In addition to being in-person, the event will be streamed live on the CIAA Sports Network beginning at 10:00 a.m. with an opening from Floyd & Lewter and the release of the CIAA preseason basketball all-conference team along with the predicted order of finish for the 2024-25 season. That will be followed up by a 15-minute focus on each school and media availability starting at 10:30 a.m.
The circuit will also allow for additional sessions for Q&A between head coaches, players, and the media following their interview portions with Floyd & Lewter. Closing remarks will be given by CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.
"As commissioner, media day is such a unique opportunity to get to hear first-hand how excited our individual coaches and student-athletes are for the upcoming season and the gratitude they express towards the efforts that the city of Baltimore does to involve the entire local community and look at the tournament as a celebration rather than just your average sporting event" said McWilliams-Parker. "This year is extra special, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the women’s tournament. It promises to be an exciting year!"
Media interested in covering the 2024-25 CIAA Basketball Media Day can submit a credential request HERE. (Note: Space will be limited. Media attending the CIAA Basketball Media Day will also receive priority for media availability during the 2024-25 CIAA Basketball Tournament.) The deadline for requesting credentials is Friday, September 27thst at 5pm.
Any additional inquiries may be directed to Anna Butzlaff at abutzlaff@theciaa.com.
For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. To get the latest information about the 2023 CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org.