live music, local food, and highly-competitive sports. As the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, it’s a time of celebration.
And for conference commissioner Jacqie McWilliams, the event is all about bringing the community together. “I have a heart for community and service,” said McWilliams, who’s in her ninth season as commissioner. “I’m my best self when I can give back.
So it’s nice that I’ve been able to bring that part of me as the leader of this conference.” The first CIAA Basketball Championship Tournament was held in 1946 in Washington, D.C.
on a shoestring budget of $500. The gym had a maximum capacity of 2,000 people, but 3,000 fans hung from the rafters cheering on their favorite HBCU athletes.
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