The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Flag Football Championship unfolded in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing together seven teams in a showcase that underscored the sport’s surging popularity, especially within historically Black colleges and universities.
Winston-Salem State emerged victorious after a dramatic finish, highlighted by sophomore Paige Bowman’s game‑winning interception that sealed the title and illustrated the competitive edge of the league.
Vision for the Future
CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker described the tournament as a storybook moment for student‑athletes, emphasizing how the league’s growth can open doors for Black and brown girls to compete and earn a college education.
For Destiny O'Neal, the championship was personal. She helped launch a flag football program at Johnson C. Smith University, creating a pathway for herself and teammates like Jamya Covington, whose college experience was transformed by the sport.
Akeylah James of Winston-Salem State echoed the sentiment, noting that the momentum generated by the championship will inspire the next generation of players and reinforce the importance of expanding opportunities in collegiate athletics.