The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is set to kick off the 2026 football season with a media day that promises unprecedented access to conference leaders, head coaches and student‑athletes. Scheduled for Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET, the event will take place at the Hilton Durham, located at 3800 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, North Carolina, 27705.
Media representatives are urged to register in advance by Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET, ensuring a smooth check‑in process and ample time to network with peers from across the country.
The Media Day will serve as the official launch of the CIAA football season, offering insight into preseason storylines, key rivalries and the conference’s strategic initiatives for the coming year. Attendees can expect panel discussions with conference leadership, behind‑the‑scenes tours and exclusive interviews that will shape the narrative of the upcoming campaign.
A Legacy Event on the Greens
The week’s activities will also include the CIAA® “Live the Legacy” Golf Tournament, scheduled for July 13, 2026, at Hillandale Golf Course in Durham. The tournament, which supports community outreach programs, offers registration at $600 per four‑person team or $150 per individual participant, with sponsorship opportunities available for corporate partners.
Beyond the competition, the golf event underscores the CIAA’s commitment to philanthropy and community engagement, blending sport with social impact in a setting that reflects the conference’s deep roots in African‑American athletic history.
Founded in 1912, the CIAA holds the distinction of being the nation’s first and longest‑running African American athletic conference. Over more than a century, it has organized 14 championships that attract over 150,000 fans annually, cementing its role as a cultural and economic driver in collegiate sports.
The conference’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, are governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions, ensuring a collaborative approach to governance and strategic planning. For additional details, the CIAA encourages followers to visit theciaa.com and engage on its social media platforms.