Post by ORACLE on Jan 18, 2008 13:34:23 GMT -5
THIS YEAR'S EVENT: FEB. 25-MARCH 1
CIAA looks to stay in city through 2011
Partial talent lineup announced for annual hoops tournament
APRIL BETHEA
abethea@charlotteobserver.com
Related Content
CIAA in the Queen City | Tournament blog
Video | CIAA press conference
CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said Thursday the conference is still negotiating to keep its weeklong tournament in Charlotte at least through 2011, though it's possible officials could look elsewhere in the future.
"For the next few years, it's going to be Charlotte," Kerry said. "Will I put out for bids in the next two years? I don't know. Probably ... Right now, I'm in Charlotte."
Kerry said the conference's board of directors would have to approve any final deal to stay in Charlotte, and officials hope to make a decision in early February.
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association moved its annual tournament to the Queen City in 2006. This year's event runs Feb. 25-March 1, with most events at Charlotte Bobcats Arena and the Convention Center.
The CIAA is made of 10 historically black colleges and universities, including Charlotte's Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College in Salisbury.
Last year's tournament drew more than 165,000 fans and contributed about $27.7 million to the region's economy, officials said.
Kerry said last fall that he'd like to keep the tournament in Charlotte, saying the event has grown more successful each year. He said there are a few issues left to be worked out before February, including making sure the tournament can get good hotel rates for attendees.
Kerry and other local officials held a news conference Thursday to announce other details about this year's tournament:
• Only about 2,100 tickets remain for tournament games, with nearly 2,000 in the upper level. Sales continue through Feb. 15 and details are available at www.ciaatournament.org.
• ESPN will host a showing of "Black Magic," a documentary on the civil rights movement, as told by black basketball players and coaches, at 1 p.m. Feb. 28 at McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square. Tickets are $10.
• Gospel recording artist CeCe Winans will perform at the Gospel Soulabration set for Feb. 28 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The event also features a gospel choir competition. Local groups can sign up by contacting Daylon Goff at dgoff@urbansportsgroup.net or 704-894-0025 ext. 113.
• Other musical performances include Chingy and The-Dream, who will perform Feb. 29, and Fabolous, who performs March 1. Other performers will be announced later.
CIAA looks to stay in city through 2011
Partial talent lineup announced for annual hoops tournament
APRIL BETHEA
abethea@charlotteobserver.com
Related Content
CIAA in the Queen City | Tournament blog
Video | CIAA press conference
CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry said Thursday the conference is still negotiating to keep its weeklong tournament in Charlotte at least through 2011, though it's possible officials could look elsewhere in the future.
"For the next few years, it's going to be Charlotte," Kerry said. "Will I put out for bids in the next two years? I don't know. Probably ... Right now, I'm in Charlotte."
Kerry said the conference's board of directors would have to approve any final deal to stay in Charlotte, and officials hope to make a decision in early February.
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association moved its annual tournament to the Queen City in 2006. This year's event runs Feb. 25-March 1, with most events at Charlotte Bobcats Arena and the Convention Center.
The CIAA is made of 10 historically black colleges and universities, including Charlotte's Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College in Salisbury.
Last year's tournament drew more than 165,000 fans and contributed about $27.7 million to the region's economy, officials said.
Kerry said last fall that he'd like to keep the tournament in Charlotte, saying the event has grown more successful each year. He said there are a few issues left to be worked out before February, including making sure the tournament can get good hotel rates for attendees.
Kerry and other local officials held a news conference Thursday to announce other details about this year's tournament:
• Only about 2,100 tickets remain for tournament games, with nearly 2,000 in the upper level. Sales continue through Feb. 15 and details are available at www.ciaatournament.org.
• ESPN will host a showing of "Black Magic," a documentary on the civil rights movement, as told by black basketball players and coaches, at 1 p.m. Feb. 28 at McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square. Tickets are $10.
• Gospel recording artist CeCe Winans will perform at the Gospel Soulabration set for Feb. 28 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The event also features a gospel choir competition. Local groups can sign up by contacting Daylon Goff at dgoff@urbansportsgroup.net or 704-894-0025 ext. 113.
• Other musical performances include Chingy and The-Dream, who will perform Feb. 29, and Fabolous, who performs March 1. Other performers will be announced later.
