In my three years at Johnson C. Smith University the two things that really resonate through the school and the city of Charlotte is Homecoming and the CIAA Tournament. These two events are like the Super Bowl when it comes to Smith. Homecoming is usually when a lot of alumni from the school come to look at their old alma mater and attend the big football game. The CIAA tournament is another event where the alumni and students from Smith and other schools come to see their teams play. But CIAA in my opinion is a little livelier because of the connection with the city of Charlotte.

CIAA brings the city of Charlotte into the mix of the HBCU phenomena with events happening all around uptown with free concerts, career fairs , and even step shows that happen all the city. One thing that the CIAA brings is a lot of chances for groups to throw parties because of the overflow of people traveling to Charlotte. Something else that is fascinating is that the games are played at the new Time Warner Cable Arena downtown, where the Bobcats play, so you get to experience the game in a gigantic arena with the essence of basketball surrounding it. A lot of people come out to se our very Golden Bulls play.

I recommend to anyone who has not experienced a CIAA game or event to try to get to one this year because from my three year of interaction, I have never been disappointed. There is something for everyone, you just have to pick what you want to do and experience. CIAA is almost here; what are you going to do when it hits?

Posted By: Andrew Milden, Junior