A Milestone in Officiating
The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association convened its 2026 Fall Football Officials Clinic and Awards Banquet in Durham, North Carolina, gathering dozens of officials eager to sharpen their craft before the upcoming season.
Donnell Leathers, the CIAA Coordinator of Football Officials, brought more than three decades of mentorship to the event, underscoring the conference’s commitment to continuous learning, accountability and consistency on the field.
Attendees dove into detailed instruction on the 2026 NCAA football rulebook, worked through complex game scenarios and participated in live simulations designed to refine mechanics and decision‑making under pressure.
The clinic also marked a historic moment when an all‑female officiating crew took the field, a first for the CIAA and a visible step toward greater gender diversity in a traditionally male‑dominated arena.
During the Awards Banquet, officials with 10, 15, 20 and even 50 years of service were celebrated, their milestones reflecting a deep well of dedication that the conference seeks to preserve and grow.
CIAA Deputy Commissioner Eddie Weatherington and Associate Commissioner Harrington Smith praised the participants’ fellowship and performance, highlighting the collective effort that sustains the league’s officiating excellence.
Beyond the clinic, the CIAA remains the nation’s oldest African American athletic conference, founded in 1912, and continues to host 14 championships that attract over 150,000 fans each year, a testament to its enduring impact on college sports.