DURHAM, N.C. (June 22, 2026) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) has announced the head coaches and student athletes who will represent their institutions at the 2026 CIAA Football Media Day on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Durham, North Carolina.
As the conference prepares for another exciting football season, CIAA Football Media Day will provide media representatives with exclusive access to conference leadership, head coaches and student athletes from all CIAA football member institutions. The event will offer insight into the upcoming season, preseason storylines, and the opportunity to engage directly with key voices from around the conference.
Media Day serves as the official kickoff to the CIAA football season and continues the conference's longstanding tradition of celebrating the excellence, history and future of HBCU athletics.
Media Day Event Details
Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. ET
Location: Durham, N.C.
Venue: Hilton Durham (3800 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, North Carolina, 27705)
Media Registration: [Register Here]
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
Representatives scheduled to attend include:
Bluefield State University
Head Coach: Davon Morgan
Student Athletes: Brandon Wiley and Kamaree Wells
Bowie State University
Head Coach: Dawson Odums
Student Athletes: Deontae Roscoe and Maximus Jones
Elizabeth City State University
Head Coach: Adrian Jones
Student Athletes: Toriono Combs and Jaevon Branch
Fayetteville State University
Head Coach: Richard Hayes
Student Athletes: Joseph Woodard and Malachi Jones
Johnson C. Smith University
Head Coach: Maurice Flowers
Student Athletes: Jamari Mason and Vince Hill
Lincoln University (Pa.)
Head Coach: Frank Turner
Student Athletes: Seth Ulett and Charles Thompson
Livingstone College
Head Coach: Sean Gilbert
Student Athletes: Brandon "Manny" Moss and Davyn Reid
Shaw University
Head Coach: Lamar Manigo
Student Athletes: Alexander Marsh and Keyshaun Powell
Virginia State University
Head Coach: Dr. Henry Frazier, III
Student Athletes: Tyleek McCoy and KJ McNeil
Virginia Union University
Head Coach: Alvin Parker
Student Athletes: Christian Myles Solomon and Ahmad Ross
Winston Salem State University
Head Coach: Tory Woodbury
Student Athletes: Chancellor Smith and Jayden Grimes
In addition to Football Media Day, the CIAA will host several events throughout the week designed to engage the Durham community and celebrate the conference's rich tradition of excellence.
On Tuesday, July 14, the CIAA will host a free Youth Football Clinic at Hillside High School from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The clinic is open to students entering grades 3 through 8 and will be led by CIAA football student athletes and head coaches. Designed to promote skill development, sportsmanship and community engagement, the clinic provides young athletes with a unique opportunity to learn from some of the conference's top players and coaches.
Youth Football Clinic Information
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Hillside High School | Durham, N.C.
Registration: Register Here
The week's activities will also include the CIAA® "Live the Legacy" Golf Tournament, taking place Monday, July 13, 2026, at Hillandale Golf Course in Durham. Held in conjunction with Football Media Day, the event will bring together conference leadership, coaches, student athletes, alumni and supporters for a day centered on fellowship, networking and celebration of the CIAA's rich history and tradition.
Teams and individuals are invited to participate in the tournament, which supports initiatives designed to enhance the student athlete experience throughout the conference. Registration is available for $600 per four-person team or $150 per individual participant. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Golf Tournament Information
Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Location: Hillandale Golf Course | Durham, N.C.
Registration: Register Here
For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, registration or tournament details, please contact Jessica Incorminias (JIncorminias@theciaa.com).
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications & External Operations
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
abutzlaff@theciaa.com
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. 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 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.