CIAA Sponsorship

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is an athletic conference consisting of 10 historically African-American institutions of higher education: Bowie State University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s College, Saint Paul’s College, Shaw University, Virginia State University and Virginia Union University, all working together to set an overall standard of excellence.

Food Lion has been an Official Corporate Partner of the CIAA for over 15 years. Through this relationship, Food Lion has provided scholarships to deserving students at historically black colleges and universities. Food Lion is proud to be the title sponsor of the Food Lion CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. Each year, Food Lion builds on this partnership and long-standing relationship with the CIAA Tournament.

Established in 1912, the CIAA is the nation’s oldest historically black college and university athletic conference, rich in history and heritage. The presence of the CIAA as a premiere member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II, continues to expand throughout the country. Expansion of television broadcasts has resulted in nationwide coverage of football and basketball contests, as well as the annual CIAA Basketball Tournament. Increasing competitiveness in other sports is also leading to recognition of CIAA member schools as athletic powerhouses. The reputation, in conjunction with the academic success of its athletes, is a proud legacy for the CIAA.

The CIAA is divided into Eastern and Western Divisions in all of its team sports, except baseball, and sponsors 16 annual championships.

The men’s championships are cross-country, basketball, football, indoor/outdoor track and field, golf, baseball and tennis. The women’s championships are bowling, cross-country, basketball, indoor/outdoor track and field, softball, tennis and volleyball.

Click here to visit the official CIAA website.

CIAA 2009 Schedule of Events

Click here for additional details on tournament activities.

The CIAA and Guiding Stars

To complement our CIAA partnership, this year Food Lion will be sharing information about our new Guiding Stars program with CIAA fans. Developed by a panel of nutrition experts, Guiding Stars is a simple, nutritional navigation system that uses one, two or three stars to rate food items according to their nutritional value. Nutrition is an important element of Food Lion’s health and wellness strategy, and we recognize customers want to eat healthier but don’t always have the time, patience or knowledge to do so. In fact, Health Magazine ranks Food Lion LLC one of America's top 10 healthiest grocery stores. Learn more...

Food Lion stores are in the communities where all 10 CIAA schools are located, and we want to do our part to make sure CIAA fans eat healthy. We have the opportunity to provide these healthier choices to students, faculty, staff and the community at large.

CIAA Healthy Choices Calendar Recipes

Use these recipes to help have a healthier year in 2009:

• January: Spaghetti with Turkey Meat Sauce (1 Star)
• February: 20-Minute Chicken Creole (1 Star)
• March: Zucchini Pizza (1 Star)
• April: Bruschetta (Caramelized Onion) (1 Star)
• May: Fresh Salsa (3 Stars)
• June: Apple Rice Salad (2 Stars)
• July: Light Valencia Paella (1 Star)
• August: Orzo with Speedy Spinach Sauce (2 Stars)
• September: Balsamic Dijon Steak with Asparagus (2 Stars)
• October: Baked Trout (2 Stars)
• November: Cowboy Beef and Black Bean Chili (1 Star)
• December: Carrot Snack Cake (1 Star)