CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association 2017 Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournament will remain in Charlotte, but 8 of 10 North Carolina based championships will relocate.
The basketball tournament in Charlotte will remain there because of time constraints relating to the contract in place.
The CIAA said moving the tournament would not be in the best interest of the membership or of the student-athletes.
The relocation of the other 8 championships is the conference’s first step in showing that it “does not support laws which prevent communities from effectively protecting student-athletes and fans.”
For the 2017 Basketball Tournament, the CIAA will focus on enhancing the student-athlete experience by working with the Charlotte community to highlight diversity, inclusion, youth education, and leadership.
The decision was made in a meeting held by the 12 members of the CIAA Board of Directors and the board will continue to discuss hosting future championships in North Carolina and whether the basketball tournament will remain after 2017.
The board’s decision allows the conference to fight against measures preventing carrying out their mission to foster inclusive cultures for its student-athletes.
