The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the oldest historically Black athletic conference in the United States, founded in 1912. With a storied history of academic and athletic excellence, the CIAA is comprised of 13 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the Eastern United States.

Here is a complete list of CIAA member schools, along with the cities and states where they are located:

Bowie State University – Bowie, Maryland

Bluefield State University – Bluefield, West Virginia

Claflin University – Orangeburg, South Carolina

Elizabeth City State University – Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University – Fayetteville, North Carolina

Johnson C. Smith University – Charlotte, North Carolina

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania – Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

Livingstone College – Salisbury, North Carolina

Saint Augustine’s University – Raleigh, North Carolina

Shaw University – Raleigh, North Carolina

Virginia State University – Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia Union University – Richmond, Virginia

Winston-Salem State University – Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Each institution is a cornerstone of its community, offering academic programs that emphasize leadership, innovation, and service, alongside competitive athletics.

The CIAA is best known for its annual Basketball Tournament, which not only showcases top-tier sports but also celebrates the vibrant culture, tradition, and pride of HBCUs. The tournament brings thousands of fans together every year, creating an atmosphere that transcends sports and highlights the excellence of these schools and their students.

For anyone interested in exploring the legacy of historically Black colleges and universities, the CIAA schools stand as powerful symbols of resilience, achievement, and Black excellence in higher education and athletics.