CIAA Brings Back Baseball After Eight-Year Hiatus, Revitalizing a Deep HBCU Tradition
Charlotte, NC – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has officially voted to reinstate baseball as a championship sport after an eight-year absence, marking a significant moment for the conference and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) athletics. The decision, made by the CIAA Board of Directors in a recent meeting, reflects a renewed commitment to honoring baseball’s rich legacy within HBCU culture while strategically positioning the conference for future growth and stability.
Baseball last featured as a CIAA-sponsored sport in 2017 before financial constraints and shifting institutional priorities forced its discontinuation. For years, alumni, former players, coaches, and fans have advocated passionately for the sport’s return, citing not only its competitive importance but also baseball’s profound connection to the civil rights movement and Black heritage in America. The reinstatement is widely celebrated as a long-overdue restoration of a sport that historically provided HBCU student-athletes with opportunities to excel and helped foster community pride beyond basketball and football.
Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker emphasized the significance of the move: “Bringing baseball back to the CIAA is more than just adding a sport. It’s about reconnecting with our history, expanding opportunities for our student-athletes, and enriching the cultural landscape of HBCU athletics. We’re excited to work with member institutions to grow the sport sustainably and inclusively.” The strategic plan approved by the Board aims to ensure baseball’s growth is supported through adequate resources, recruitment initiatives, and community engagement.
Currently, several CIAA schools do not sponsor baseball programs, including Bowie State University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. However, schools like Lincoln University, Virginia State University, Claflin University, and the newly joined Bluefield State University—who notably won the inaugural HBCU Black College World Series in 2021—could form the nucleus for revitalizing baseball in the conference. This existing foundation provides optimism for expanding participation in coming seasons, with hopes that more institutions will reinstate or establish programs.
The broader significance of baseball within HBCUs transcends sport alone. Historically, baseball was intertwined with the fight for civil rights and social justice, serving as a platform for Black athletes to challenge segregation and showcase their talents at a time when opportunities were limited. Figures like Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, who broke Major League Baseball’s color barriers, followed in the footsteps of earlier Black baseball pioneers and collegiate players who competed fiercely in HBCU leagues. This heritage remains a source of pride and inspiration for generations.
The return of baseball enriches the athletic offerings of the CIAA and other HBCU conferences by providing diversity beyond the dominant basketball and football scenes. It also opens doors for student-athletes who specifically seek to play baseball in a culturally supportive environment that honors their history and identity. The reinstatement aligns with emerging trends in college athletics, including leveraging media rights, NIL opportunities, and the transfer portal, which can elevate HBCU programs’ competitiveness and visibility.
Looking ahead, the CIAA is poised to integrate baseball into its championship calendar with careful attention to scheduling, facilities, and coaching support. As McWilliams Parker noted, “This is a new chapter that builds on tradition, and we are committed to making sure baseball thrives as an integral part of our athletic and cultural identity.” The conference’s leadership plans to collaborate with schools to assess resources and student interest while promoting baseball’s legacy as a vital strand in the tapestry of HBCU sports.
With baseball’s reinstatement, the CIAA sends a powerful message about the resilience and evolution of HBCU athletics. It rekindles a beloved sport that once shaped many athletic careers and contributed to social progress, setting the stage for a vibrant future where baseball once again plays a central role on the fields and campuses of historically Black institutions.
Upcoming CIAA baseball schedules, team announcements, and recruitment efforts will be eagerly anticipated by the HBCU sports community as preparations get underway for the first full season following this historic decision. The revival of baseball marks not just a return to play but a reaffirmation of pride, opportunity, and cultural continuity within the CIAA and beyond.