Several CIAA championship events relocate to Va. following NC’s HB 2
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Following the decision to follow in the NCAA's footsteps in relocating championship events from North Carolina over House Bill 2, the CIAA has announced the new host locations for some of its marquee championship events.
In a statement Thursday, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association confirmed several championship events for the conference would have a home in Virginia.
The 2016 women's and men's cross country championships will take place at the end of this month on Oct. 27 at Bryan Park in Richmond.
According to CIAA official, "Several conference programs have previously participated in meets on the course, including Virginia Union University who will serve as this year's championship host institution."
The women's 5k race will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. with the men's 8k to follow at 11:00 a.m.
In addition, Salem Stadium will place host to the 2016 football championship match on Nov. 12.
"Over the past 15 years, the city has upgraded the 7,100-seat stadium on multiple occasions, including adding artificial turf and upgrading locker rooms and media facilities," CIAA officials said in a statement. "Salem Stadium has been home to the Division III Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl Football Championship since 1993 while the city has also hosted championships in baseball, softball, women's lacrosse, and women's volleyball."
Lynchburg's Liberty University will host Feb. 12-13, 2017's women's and men's indoor track and field championships.
Both the 2017 women's tennis championship, along with the women's and men's outdoor track and field events will be hosted at Bowie State University in Maryland.
In an earlier report, the conference said the 2017 CIAA Women's and Men's Basketball Tournament will remain in Charlotte at the Spectrum Center, home of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, explaining that relocation "would not be in the best interest of the membership and its student-athletes at this time."
"For the 2017 Basketball Tournament, the CIAA will focus its resources to enhance the student-athlete experience in-venue with collaborative efforts aligning with the Charlotte community to highlight diversity, inclusion, youth education, and leadership," the conference said in a statement late last month.
They added that they will continue its discussion on hosting future championship events in the state and whether the tournament will stay there after 2017.
Ettrick's Virginia State University and Richmond's Virginia Union University are currently members of the CIAA.
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