CHARLOTTE, NC (September 19, 2025) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) proudly announces that Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) and Bluefield State University (BSU) have been selected to participate in the Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership Education (APPLE) Training Institute, the nation’s leading substance misuse prevention and health promotion program for student-athletes and athletics administrators. This year’s APPLE Institute will be held in Denver, Colorado.
Developed and coordinated by the University of Virginia’s Gordie Center and funded by the NCAA from 1991 to 2025, the APPLE Training Institutes are designed to help colleges and universities apply UVA’s comprehensive APPLE model to create effective campus-specific action plans. The initiative strengthens prevention efforts, enhances health and wellness education, and empowers student-athletes and administrators to lead cultural changes within athletics programs.
Since 1992, nearly 60% of all NCAA member institutions have attended an APPLE Institute, which focuses on improving administrator-student-athlete relationships, confronting substance misuse challenges, and developing measurable prevention and wellness strategies.
“The selection of Johnson C. Smith University and Bluefield State University to attend the APPLE Institute speaks volumes about their commitment to the overall well-being of student-athletes,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “The APPLE model equips institutions with the tools to create a healthier, safer environment, and I am confident that both schools will use this experience to elevate prevention programming and leadership development within the CIAA.”
At Bluefield State University, the opportunity is being embraced as a key part of advancing student-athlete wellness. Athletic Director Broderick Tucker shared, “We are honored to have our staff and student-athletes selected to participate in the APPLE Training Institute. This opportunity allows us to strengthen our commitment to scholar-athlete well-being, promote leadership, and build sustainable strategies that address substance misuse and overall health. We look forward to bringing back valuable insights that will positively impact our campus and the broader Bluefield community.”
Likewise, Johnson C. Smith University is committed to leveraging the institute’s resources to further its holistic approach to athletics. Director of Athletics Dr. Denisha Hendricks noted, “At JCSU, we are committed to developing the whole student-athlete mind, body, and character. The APPLE Training Institute provides an incredible opportunity to strengthen our campus-wide education on substance misuse while equipping both administrators and student-athletes with the tools to lead by example, champion wellness, and address challenges that impact performance and life beyond sports. We are honored to be selected and look forward to putting the lessons learned into practice across the JCSU community.”
The CIAA congratulates Johnson C. Smith University and Bluefield State University on this opportunity and applauds their dedication to building healthier athletics communities.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
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, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.