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The first majority-white school to join a historically black college league just got a promotion. Chowan University, which joined the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association for football earlier this year, was voted full membership by the CIAA's Board of Directors today. The Hawks will participate as a full time member effective July 1, 2009. The board is evaluating Lincoln (Pa.) University's membership petition for a decision at its May meeting. If the CIAA approves Lincoln, a founding member way back in 1912, the NCAA Division II league will expand to 12 schools for all sports starting with the 2009-10 academic year. Lincoln is making the transition from Division III. ...
"Chowan University's membership affirms the CIAA's commitment to building a diverse and competitive conference and represents a new chapter in the CIAA's history of blazing new trails and raising the bar in NCAA Division II sports," said St. Augustine's College President Dianne Boardley Suber, chair of the CIAA board. Chowan won its first CIAA football game Saturday with a 41-20 victory against Livingstone College to bring the Hawks' record to 2-5 overall, 1-4 in league games.
Chowan, located in Murfreesboro, N.C., was founded in 1848 by Baptist families and named to honor the Native American Algonquin Chowanook tribe. The school's location makes Chowan an instant rival for Elizabeth City State University and taps into the CIAA's alumni and recruiting base in Virginia's Tidewater area.
Adding Chowan touched off some grumbling among traditionalists who maintain HBCU leagues should stay black. CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry, who recruited the Hawks to the fold, maintains its all about competition. "Today I am very proud of our Board of Directors for taking such a visionary approach to the expansion of this great conference," he said. "From a competitive standpoint, Chowan offers a natural rivalry for our existing institutions."
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By: WATCH US EXPLODE on 10/15/2008 3:23PM
Hmmm... my impulsive reaction was negative, but the longer I let it sit, the less of an issue it seems. I think this kind of change is inevitable and maybe not such a bad thing in consideration of future generations...
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By: renee on 10/15/2008 8:30PM
Why, we need to hold on to our African American Heritage & Legacy. We should maintain our own unique
culture and historic schools. If this trend continues, pretty soon Historic Black Schools will not exits.
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By: Marcus Jackson on 10/16/2008 1:42PM
This step is inevitable. Why do we as a people look at change with a negative outlook. This is 2008 and we should embrace diversity and change within HBCUs, many of which are actively recruitng hispanics and white students. So for the CIAA to add Chowan University is a great step towards advancing the Conference and keeping the Conference competitive. Nowadays we have to look pass black and white. Colleges/Universities are very competitive and we have to offer our students of all ethnicities an environment that reflects the globalization that will be a part of our students lives forever whether it is in the classroom or on the athletic stage. HBCU’s as a whole are revamping recruiting measures to target the Caucasian and Hispanic demographic. Many school and conference representatives recognize the benefits of a diversified student body and athletic playing field.
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By: Ray on 10/18/2008 11:51AM
If it were a black university trying to get into a predominately white conference, we would be screaming racism. What tradition would be lost? I'm sure some of the HBCU's play nonconference games against predominately white schools. Each college will maintain their heritage and tradition. Let's hope Chowan will be a great addition to the CIAA.
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By: charles wilson on 10/18/2008 1:41PM
the value of HBC's is not in it's athletic programs but rather in the quality of each of it's institutions to take literally grab each of its students and force him/her to decide if, and how, they intend to become a contributing member of our society at large. Like it or not from tower to yard, you are imbued with the value "to find a way or make a way" to participate in the "second mile".
Values have no color. If we can find a vehicle (i.e. athletic competition) to transmute across cultural (i.e. irish, polish, german, jewish, african-american, etc.,) those mores that a good for all mankind and their children, then I say: if sports is the easiest vehicle to accomplish a way of achieving a common good, then "let's have at it".
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