End of an era.....Goodbye CIAA

Photo credit: THECIAA.com

After 15 years, the CIAA said goodbye to the Queen City. Starting in 2021 the tournament will be held in Baltimore, Maryland.

The tournaments presence in Charlotte was a family reunion feel; it gave us a chance to showcase the city. The love affair between the CIAA and Charlotte was so strong that the Conference relocated its headquarters from Norfolk, Virginia to Charlotte. The guaranteed economic generator for the city is gone, at least until 2023. It feels like a self-inflicted.

The CIAA in Charlotte wasn’t without controversy. Back in 2015, the Ritz Carlton hit patrons with the “CIAA tax,” there were also claims of hotel price gouging and violence incorrectly associated with unsanctioned CIAA parties. Recently there have been complaints of over policing during events throughout the city as well. Some tournament goers were disappointed with the fan turn out at games in the later years, specifically with people coming just for the parties. The experience had become stale to many people. In the early years the convention center bubbled with activities and vendors, in the later years the vendors dwindled with the excitement.

The move to Baltimore will help to rejuvenate the charm city’s image. It’s also a chance for the Northeastern CIAA alumni to travel closer to home and help to put the spotlight back on the games. A hard reset was really needed in retrospect. Hopefully Charlotte can get its act together and win the 2023 bid to bring the bid back to the city!

What’s your favorite CIAA memory? Will you miss the tournament?

-Rodney