The CIAA Tournament is finally here and the good news is that it's gonna be in Charlotte through 2008. The bad news, however, is that it's the last year N.C. Central and Winston-Salem State will be members of the conference. Next year, they're both making the jump to the MEAC, a Division 1 conference that'll bring in more cash, more scholarships and a shot (I know, a long shot) at the NCAA Tournnament.
But as a Central alum, I'm disappointed. The MEAC tournament doesn't come close to the CIAA. The MEAC doesn't have the flair, the flavor, the fashion. (Where else will you see macho men put as much thought into what they're gonna wear as the women?) You won't find that at the MEAC. What you will find is NCCU and WSSU getting their butts kicked for a few years until the extra scholarships land some Division 1 talent. And you'll find MEAC member N.C. A&T, our arch rivals, ready to pounce. Of course, that's the one team I think we can beat. Correction, add WSSU to that list because they'll be in the same boat as us.
Do you think it's a good move for NCCU and WSSU? Can they compete right away?
Speaking of what to wear, I'm probably going more casual this year than in year's past. First of all, I'm in a work-related workshop most of the week and will be heading straight to the arena from there each day. I'd feel out of place in the class wearing a Burberry suit with matching fedora. Don't laugh, a friend of mine tells me there's one for sale for $300 at an area "thrift" store. He said it jokingly but I know he started planning his outfits three months ago. He'll probably show up wearing a pair of gators fresh out of the Everglades. Secondly, I'm so out of the loop, I don't know what's fashionable these days. The last time I went to the tournament (I forget the year) I was wearing a royal blue suit with Freddie Jackson-style shoulder pads. They say it was a hit, but I think they were clowning me.
If you see any outfits that you like or if you're wearing something you want published, e-mail me the photos and I'll publish them.
I just drove around the Bobcats Arena several times looking for a place to park long enough to pick up my media credentials. No luck. The folks in charge of handing them out say they're located at 5th and Caldwell. Isn't that the arena? The police said they had no idea. An arena security guard said it's around the corner and through a tunnel. One of the helpful volunteers said they're here to help the visitors, not the media. Thanks. So I figured I'd just park illegally and walk around the building till I found it. Dude, the tow truck was on the way before I got up the block. So I turned around, got back in and drove back to the Charlotte Observer. I'll pick up the media pass tomorrow.
Anybody having trouble with parking or finding their way around? What do you think of the new host city so far?
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Say it Ain't So, Central
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9 comments:
In the long run, WSSU and NCCU will both find moving to MEAC worthless. Let’s be real, the MEAC is the “doormat” of Division I basketball and Division I-AA football. This is evidenced by their teams’ early departures in the NCAA basketball tourney and consistent poor performance in Division I-AA football playoffs. Unfortunately, the decision to leave the CIAA for both schools has nothing to do with improving their athletic programs competitiveness or financial stability. Instead it has everything to do with “perceived” prestige. Their boards of directors unfortunately decided it is more beneficial to their schools images to join the “so called big name” perennial losers in the MEAC rather than subject their students to the shame and agony of having to lose “occasionally” to the likes of St. Pauls, JCSU or Livingstone. When asked why they were leaving, Central’s chancellor called the CIAA a “church league”. It is this arrogance that will prove to be a major detriment to NCCU and the entire MEAC conference in the long run. Remember Central, you’re based in the Triangle. Good luck recruiting D-I basketball talent in the backyards of Duke, NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. Unfortunately the alumni and students at Central and Winston will suffer countless years of losing seasons, a la Norfolk State. If you’re not going to seriously compete with the big dogs, why not afford your students and alumni the luxury of successful winning Division II programs. It is quite a shame how far we “have not” come. Well good luck, seriously. Good buy Rams and Eagles, hello Morehouse, Clark, Benedict and Lincoln (I hope).
Signed, “A Bitter Bull”
Its ironic that you would call the MEAC the "doormat" of Division 1 basketball and 1-AA football because of early departures and poor performances in football and basketball but not, let say call the SWAC or Big South or any other smaller Division 1 school doormats. At least 3 MEAC schools (Hampton, Coppin State and FAMU) have won NCAA tournament games and yeah, maybe we don't get past the 1st round of the 1-AA football playoff, but when is the last time JCSU made the division II playoffs in football. And you say "perceived" prestige, I'm pretty sure more people outside of the "CIAA region" know SC State, Howard, Hampton, FAMU etc, then know JCSU, St. Paul, Livingstone, Fayetteville State etc. An example, I was speaking to an individual who graduated from a CIAA school, but didn't know that Virginia Union is the defending division II champs in men's basketball. But they knew Duke beat Deleware St in the 1st round of the NCAA tournament. Yeah, the MEAC is no where close to the CIAA as far as individual tournaments are concerned but after the CIAA tournament, what do you have. At least the winner of the MEAC tournament goes to the "big dance" and that's not the CIAA tournament. Yeah, we might lose, but more people will remember the MEAC or SWAC school losing than the winner of the CIAA tournament. Also, alot of this has to do with football, which is the main sport in college athletics and classics or games that contain MEAC or SWAC schools constantly outdraw any games or classics any CIAA schools play in. And yeah, we might lose in the playoffs but the majority of 1-AA schools don't want to play the SWAC or MEAC teams..but how many division 1 schools do any of the CIAA schools play?? At least SC State plays Clemson & USC in basketball and will play USC in football in 2007, FAMU plays Florida, Miami Fl, etc, so don't act as if the MEAC is some garbage conference with a bunch on garbage schools(its also funny how you call the MEAC the "doormat" and "arrogant" but call the MEAC the "big dogs" when saying NCCU and WSSU should allow students and alumni the "luxury" of successful winning Division II programs). NCCU and WSSU will do just fine in the future. Good luck with Benedict and Clark...
The "big dogs" referred too in the first post was in reference to the "big dogs" of Division I. That was not a reference to any of the teams in the MEAC. Also, the MEAC conference was referenced and not the SWAC because, uh duh, that's the conference Winston and Central are joing. And I disagree. I don't think anyone remembers that Duke "beat" Delaware St. in the NCAA's. By the way, thanks for reminding me. And I'm sure at many water coolers on Monday many people will be talking about the CIAA schools after their appearences on ESPN2 this Thurs. Fri. and Sat. Rather than ask what the CIAA has outside of it's basketball tourny, the question is, what does the MEAC have at all? A couple of big homecomings? Classics? Not really. Umm, let's see, oh yeah, there's the big Classic in Florida that doesn't come on TV. The one that nobody in the this region knows about or goes too. That's about it for the MEAC. Fact is, the CIAA is competitive on a national level in Division II. Our basketball playoff history speaks for itself (including JCSU). Saint Aug is the current national champ in track & field and VA Union is the current national champion in basketball. The MEAC "is" the doormat of Div. I in basketball, football (I-AA), tennis, track, baseball, and that sailing mess they try to do at Hampton. The MEAC is a joke in sports, check the records. This whole concept of being remembered for "losing" is Classic.
I believe the MEAC is going to be the CIAA of the 21th century. Change is good. If all the school that are in the CIAA apply for Division I, then we will have the CIAA in the MEAC and the fan will still come out to support the school that they attended. I attend St. Augustin College "91" I would love to go to the MEAC in 2011 and say I attend St. Aug 20 years ago.
Hey Kelvin,
We need a picture of you in that blue Freddie Jackson suit!
xoxo
Yes anonymous I know,,I'd rather rule in hell (Division II) than be a door keeper in Heaven (Division I) And you really think there is water cooler discussion on the CIAA because your tournament is on ESPN2?? Come on....and yes classic..look at the leading attendance figures for black college football(which drivers alot of these decisions) and which schools had the highest attendance...I didn't see any CIAA schools.....Again, you might be remembered for your preceived dominance of Division II but really, in the real world that we live and work....I'm pretty sure more people know MEAC schools than CIAA schools and yes I'd rather lose to Duke, Clemson, USC etc....at least we are willing to play these teams...and I think this is where we need to focus. What is wrong with any school trying to go to the next level?? Why is there this venom because they want to move up?? I had no problem with FAMU trying to move to Division I. There were rumors that SC State and Hampton wanted to leave the MEAC because of competition..is that wrong?? Also remember that NCCU was a founding member of the MEAC. Really..what's wrong with moving up??? Would you be upset if JCSU wanted to move up??? Why??
PS...and you even knew Hampton has sailing...which I didn't...
Kelvin, you need to stock your desk better with food. I got hungry tonight. Bring me a burger from the arena.
It's great that we live in a all nation where we can exercise free speech. Each writer had valid points about NCCU & WSSU leaving the CIAA for the MEAC but I think some of them are a little off base but that is my opinion.
We must also remember our history as well. FAMU won the inaugural 1_AA football championship. Since that time a number of 1-A schools that were doormats dropped to 1-AA in football only because of more funding, scholarships and alike. The administration is only doing what they believe is in the best interest of their institution in the future. Read Dr. William Harvey's comments in March 5th's Newport News "Daily Press." via www.refdesk.com
Last but not least we had to crawl before we walked. One must have FAITH and make an attempt to strive for perfection instead of saying I will never achieve it.
What if:
a. Our forefathers had declined freedom to remain as slaves. b. One declined a promotion to management and remained in the same minimum wage job. c. No one participated in the Civil Rights movement to fight "Jim Crow"; the four Aggie had a change of heart and truned around when at the door at Woolworth's lunch counter?
"Keep Hope Alive" said an Aggie.
Anonymous is upset. I can see why. I love the tradition also. The move to end the Aggie/Eagle classic upset me. I felt that we/A&T, should have continued the classic in order to help NCCU with their D1 move. The game is probably their biggest payout short of Homecoming. They needed the money more than A&T.
The league is not a doormat in my eyes. Everyone loses to Duke in basketball recruiting. But there are others would rather not sit the bench at a duke or unc. And guess what... we have a chance to play them. I remember 'Bird vs Bird'. James Sparrow/A&T vs Larry Bird/Indiana State. we lost, but we had heart. WSSU almost beat Wake Forest this year. The stigma is gone and the money is there. NCCU will add baseball, which means more kids getting a chance at an education, and some new Coaches receiving a chance/Job.
The MEAC has it's fans. Just go to a A&T/Hampton football game. I love the league. I love the CIAA. It is just father & son.
Lastly, I pull for the league's team in the big dance. My co-workers ask who I like... I ask, 'in which league? Duke & UNC has enough help without me.
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