CIAA at long last warms to football

MATT LACZKO | THE CHARLOTTE POST

The CIAA's prepared to expand its football schedule format to ensure postseason participation for multiple teams starting in 2026.

The CIAA Football Media Day isn’t until July 15, but the conference already has upstaged the coaches and players.

The board of directors released a teaser at the 2026 spring meeting last month announcing an expanded football championship format to debut in the fall. Full details will be released at media day.

Football has undergone changes the past few years. The championship game began with the two division winners battling it out for bragging rights and a hopeful chance at an NCAA playoff bid. The downside was the champion wasn’t always the best team, so nobody went to the postseason.

Officials changed the format in 2024 and eliminated divisional seeding. Teams are ranked No. 1-11, with the top two teams advancing to the title game. And the icing on the cake is the winner earns an automatic playoff spot.

Now, word is the stakes will be raised higher with a playoff-style format.

Of course, the change comes down to more money for the conference, more exposure for the schools and – did I mention more money for the conference?

As I’ve written many times before, a new era has arrived for CIAA football. No, it’s not a cash cow like the basketball tournament – that’s the conference’s fault – but it’s no longer a dull, ugly stepsister either. Or the butt of jokes by opponents.

Other agenda items

The conference needs to up its sponsorship game after the board of directors extended Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker’s contract through 2031.

According to a report by HBCU Gameday, McWilliams Parker earns over $300,000 a year and is sure to get a raise with the extension.

“This conference has a rich legacy built by generations of leaders, member institutions, student-athletes, coaches and administrators,” she said. “Together, we have made tremendous progress in strengthening the CIAA’s brand, enhancing the student-athlete experience, deepening sponsor and partner engagement, and elevating the overall fan experience.”

Women’s sports were also front and center at the meetings.

Flag football will officially become a varsity sport in the 2026-27 season. Women’s soccer teams are encouraged to join other conferences as associate members since the CIAA doesn’t sponsor the sport. Virginia State and Shaw are members of Conference Carolinas.

Bonitta Best is sports editor at The Triangle Tribune in Durham.

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