Do you ever get the feeling that instead of moving up to Division I and joing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference [MEAC], that Winston-Salem State should have remained in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association [CIAA]?
The CIAA is a Division II Historically Black College and University conference composed of10 schools in the south. The states include Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina.
The North Carolina A&T cheerleaders said in a battle against WSSU that, “We don’t care what you did in the CIAA.”
However, we cannot forget what we did while we were in Division II. We were the first HBCU to win a national basketball championship. No matter what division we are in we cannot forget all that we have accomplished while being in the CIAA.
This season, the Rams have not had big crowds at any of their basketball games. Prior to the game against North Carolina A&T, the average attendence at WSSU’s home games was just 980. In football, the attendance was much better, especially when they faced rivals such as North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central in Bowman Gray Stadium.
“I prefer the CIAA because the environment and atmosphere of a CIAA game or event is undoubtedly more intense than that of the MEAC,” said junior Alonzo Turner.
In the MEAC it seems like many fans do not follow their team on the road to other universities, or they just do not want to come see their team play against WSSU. Some schools may even feel that WSSU should not even be in the MEAC.
“Although the MEAC is Division I, it does not receive as much support from the black community as the CIAA (i.e. the CIAA and MEAC tournaments),” Turner said.
The CIAA tournament is the third largest college basketball tournament held and it still draws faithful crowds from teams such as Norfolk State University, which was previously in the CIAA before joining the MEAC.
The MEAC now holds its annual basketball tournament in Raleigh, which used to be the home of the CIAA tournament that could not draw a big crowd.
“I will not be attending the MEAC tournament even though it will be held in Raleigh, and that is where I am from…instead, I’m going to the CIAA tournament,” said Turner.
“It doesn’t really matter. It’s not the conference that makes the event. It is the teams and the people that show up in support of their favorite team. With many CIAA teams moving to the MEAC, all that is needed is for the fans to bring their enthusiasm to this tournament and the MEAC will bejust as big,” said senior Joshua Blackwell.
“CIAA… COMPLETELY!! WE HAD MORE FUN IN THE CIAA!!,” said sophomore James Locks. “Before I was a student I went to the CIAA. It focuses more on HBCUs and them sticking together! They had functions to further people’s education about HBCUs and with that said; they have a day dedicated to fun/ laughter, and a day for encouraging students to attend HBCU’s during the basketball tournament!”
“What more can you ask for?” Locks said.
“Moreover, when your school played against another school… the opposing school would come with their band, cheerleaders, and fans. Which increased the anticipation of going and supporting your school at each game. But a guess it’s about the money, and not about memories and fun! I guess that’s what happened to the SCHOOL SPIRIT!”