CHARLOTTE — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) board of directors has voted to accept an application for membership from Claflin University, it was announced on Wednesday.

Located in Orangeburg, S.C., the Panthers’ athletic program sponsors 10 of the CIAA’s 14 championship sports.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Claflin University’s student-athletes, administration, staff, alumni, and fans to the CIAA,” said Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner. “The institution is a fit for our conference based on their location within our demographic region and commitment to sponsoring sports programs that bring competitive and championship growth in the CIAA. They will expand our footprint into the South Carolina market, reinforce our commitment to the student-athlete experience and employ strategies that engage alumni and fans within the region to support our mission and vision.”

Claflin has formally notified the SIAC of its departure and will join the CIAA as a full member effective July 1. The newest CIAA member will be eligible for competition for the 2018-19 academic year.

A historically black university founded in 1869, Claflin has a tradition of excellence in intercollegiate athletics led by men’s basketball, who recently won the SIAC men’s championship title. Other sponsored sports include women’s basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, and men’s and women’s cross country.

“The CIAA is committed to sponsoring a range of male and female sports programs that bring competitive and championship growth within the conference and to the regions that all our participating schools represent,” said CIAA Board of Directors Chair and Fayetteville State University Chancellor Dr. James A. Anderson. “The CIAA will seek to sponsor additional men’s sports like baseball and tennis to maintain a healthy number of automatic qualifications. The addition of Claflin University allows the conference to facilitate this goal while expanding our geographical footprint.”

Claflin is the first addition to the conference since Lincoln (Pa.) University re-joined in 2010. The conference’s 13^th member institution, Claflin will strengthen the breadth of CIAA competition, including that of the league’s Olympic programs.

Since stepping in to NCAA Division II competition by joining the SIAC in 2008, Claflin has won volleyball, baseball, softball, and men’s basketball championships. An impressive number of student-athletes have won top individual honors, including an Olympic qualifier.

“We believe this is a win-win situation for the University and our student-athletes,” said Claflin University President Dr. Henry N. Tisdale. “The CIAA aligns with our institutional profile and the proximity of its members to Orangeburg is very attractive for our alumni and supporters.”

About Claflin University

Claflin University is a comprehensive institution of higher education affiliated with The United Methodist Church. A private coeducational liberal arts university, Claflin is located in Orangeburg, about 40 miles southeast of Columbia, SC. With a record enrollment of 2,100 students, Claflin is a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff and administrators who work to cultivate practical wisdom, judgment, knowledge, skills and character needed for globally engaged citizenship and effective leadership.

About the CIAA

Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.