CIAA Hall of Fame Members
Dr. Allix Bledsoe James graduated from Virginia Union University in 1944 and returned in 1947 as a bible instructor. He was promoted to Dean of Students and then Dean of the Graduate School of Religion. In 1970, he was called upon from his vice-president’s role to lead the university. As the seventh president, he oversaw many accomplishments, including the establishment of a vigorous corporate gift program. The gifts allowed renovations to campus facilities among other things. The old Department of Commerce was upgraded and named the Sydney Lewis School of Business Administration, achieving full accreditation in the process. The Community Learning Week was established as a city-wide celebration after beginning as a university holiday to mark the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. James instituted the music program at VUU and the university band was organized. He also hired two coaches that have served as a staple in the CIAA history books; Dave Robbins, the first non-African American to coach in the CIAA, and Willard Bailey. Robbins led the Panthers to three national championships, won 14 CIAA championships and garnered 21 NCAA tournament appearances. Bailey became the winningest coach in CIAA football history and captured seven conference titles. Dr. Allix B. James retired from his post prior to his tenth year as President. With an additional 14 years as a professor after his retirement, Dr. James committed 46 years of making a difference to his alma mater and the CIAA.