CHARLOTTE, N.C. (May 11, 2026) — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) proudly announces a series of leadership elevations and an organizational restructuring designed to enhance conference operations, strengthen business development initiatives, and implement a modernized communications and marketing strategy focused on elevating the CIAA brand nationally.
As part of the restructuring, the conference has expanded several leadership roles to better align with the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics and the growing visibility of HBCU sports. The restructuring reflects the CIAA’s commitment to operational excellence, innovative storytelling, strategic partnerships, and enhanced championship experiences for member institutions, student athletes, alumni, and fans.
Leadership Elevations
Eddie Weatherington Elevated to Deputy Commissioner of Governance & Operations
Eddie Weatherington has been elevated to Deputy Commissioner of Governance & Operations. In this expanded role, he will continue overseeing conference governance, championships administration, compliance operations, and institutional relations while supporting the strategic execution of conference wide initiatives and operational efficiencies.
Marcus Clarke Elevated to Deputy Commissioner of Business Development
Marcus Clarke has been elevated to Deputy Commissioner of Business Development, where he will lead the conference’s efforts in corporate partnerships, sponsorship growth, revenue generation, and external business strategy development as the CIAA continues expanding its national footprint and commercial opportunities.
Nany Cruz Elevated to Chief Operating Officer and Marketing & Finance Manager
Nany Cruz has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer and Marketing & Finance Manager. In this leadership role, Cruz will oversee operational management, financial administration, and internal marketing coordination while supporting the conference’s long-term strategic planning and organizational growth.
Matisse Lee Elevated to Senior Associate Commissioner for Communications & Marketing
Matisse Lee has been elevated to Senior Associate Commissioner for Communications & Marketing and will lead the development of the conference’s new integrated communications and marketing strategy. The position will oversee brand management, media relations, digital communications, championship marketing, creative storytelling, strategic partnerships, special projects, and championship marketing efforts while advancing the visibility and impact of the CIAA nationally.
AJ Purcell Appointed Marketing and Client Relationship Specialist
As part of the conference’s expanded operational and business development restructuring, the CIAA has also appointed AJ Purcell as Marketing and Client Relationship Specialist.
In this role, Purcell will support corporate partnership activation, client engagement, sponsorship fulfillment, and marketing initiatives designed to strengthen relationships with conference partners while enhancing the overall CIAA brand experience. He will also assist with fan engagement and community activation efforts across championship and special events.
Additionally, Purcell will serve in a dual role working in conjunction with Van Wagner Sports as an Account Executive, supporting strategic partnership development and collaborative sponsorship initiatives that align with the conference’s continued business growth strategy.
Development of the CIAA Marketing and Communications Department
The restructuring initiative is part of a broader effort focused on the development of a modernized Marketing and Communications Department designed to elevate the conference’s national presence and long-term brand strategy.
This initiative reflects the CIAA’s vision to become the most recognized NCAA Division II conference through innovative licensing, media rights, branding initiatives, and strategic storytelling while continuing to promote the visible athletic and academic successes of its member institutions. The conference aims to enhance the public’s knowledge and appreciation of the rich legacy, leadership, culture, and community that define the CIAA.
As part of this transformation, the conference is launching an expanded communications and marketing team that will strategically control, manage, and amplify CIAA stories while strengthening brand awareness across all digital, media, and championship platforms.
“These strategic changes position the CIAA to tell our story in a more intentional, innovative, and impactful way,” said Jacqie McWilliams Parker. “We are building a structure that not only supports the growth of our conference today, but also prepares us for the future of collegiate athletics. Through enhanced communications, business development, and technology integration, we are committed to expanding the CIAA brand while continuing to celebrate and protect the legacy and excellence of HBCU athletics.”
The CIAA’s restructuring initiative is part of the conference’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its internal infrastructure while continuing to preserve and celebrate the rich tradition and excellence of HBCU athletics.
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 and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.