HB2 and CIAA
posted by Areanna Nixon | November 10, 2016 | In SportsDue to the social and economic implications of House Bill 2, the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) has made the decision to withdraw 8 championship games while still allowing the CIAA’s basketball tournament to remain in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The championships moved include: men’s and women’s track and cross country, women’s tennis, and football.
The CIAA has demonstrated extensive relationships with the host cities of its basketball tournament. North Carolina has hosted the tournament 12 years in a row. Greensboro is the tournament’s longest partner, and another year with Charlotte would make the city the second longest.
Fayetteville State University’s Chancellor and Vice Chairman of the CIAA’s board of directors, James A. Anderson, shared with the students some of the many factors that were considered by the board in the making this decision.
“The CIAA has a long and inclusive relationship with the Charlotte community. The CIAA is not a transitory group, rather its historical roots have generated a sustained identity,” said Anderson.
Although it steered the CIAA Board in a different direction, Chancellor Anderson pointed out that the factor of monetary security was taken into consideration as it was when the ACC and NCAA decided to remove championships from North Carolina.
“The CIAA’s financial resources and those of the 12 individual HBCU’s will have a strong influence on a decision to stay or to move the basketball tournament out of Charlotte.”
The longevity of Charlotte’s hosting of the tournament also brings into play the success of its local businesses. The CIAA board also recognized the influence the tournament has on local and small businesses.
“The CIAA cannot abdicate its responsibility to support the large number of small businesses and vendors, in many cases this is their largest payday of the year,” said Anderson. According to the CIAA, the tournament actually contributes $30 million to Charlotte in visitor spending each year.
With the tournament being a weeklong event, time sensitivity would also be an issue with relocating. According to Chancellor Anderson, finding a similar venue in such a short time to accommodate the event would prove difficult.
“The reality is that the CIAA and its constituent schools are not in a position to deal with the economic consequences of moving the 2017 men’s and women’s basketball tournament so close to February.”
Although the CIAA’s decision to remove 8 tournaments from the state was based upon recognition of the fact that “the CIAA does not support laws that deprive all of our citizens equal protection,” Chancellor Anderson points out that holding the men and women’s basketball championships in Charlotte creates an opportunity to “highlight the critical healing process that must occur” in Charlotte.
Still, the revoking of those 8 other championship games is felt deeply by FSU’s fans. With FSU’s football team ranked second in the CIAA conference, and the possibility of a post season run, fans feel that a tournament held in North Carolina could have given the team a meaningful boost.
“Some people can’t travel, so it will play an effect,” commented former FSU football player Walter Young.
Others don’t see this move by the CIAA as something that will deter the success of the Broncos.
Lamont Hinson, director of Sports Information at Fayetteville State commented, “It may put a little bit of an obstacle for the parents and local supporters. But ultimately I think the guys would be so excited to make it to a championship that they will focus in and it won’t matter where they play.”
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