Posts Tagged ‘CIAA’

IT’S been more than 20 years since she adorned a Hampton University uniform, but retired Golden Girl Eldece Clarke is preparing to return to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

The 1988 graduate, who went on to become one of the fastest women in the world in the 100 metres, will be inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame on February 26 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Clarke, who turns 45 on February 13, said she’s just delighted to have been considered by the CIAA, an NCAA Division II conference of historically African-American instutitions.

“It’s years later, but it’s still a significant achievement,” said Clarke about the induction. “So it’s kind amazing and I’m overwhelming for sure.”

Humbled by the achievement, Clarke said this is her first induction because up to last year, Hampton University has not had an induction ceremony.

She noted that when her former coach Laverne Sweat called her to inform her of Hampton University’s decision to induct her, she was really taken aback.

“I’m really excited. I’m glad that it’s happening because the young people can see what they can achieve if they focus on their goal,” Clarke said. “So for me, it’s not when it happened, but the fact that it has happened.”

The mother of an 18-year-old son had a stellar tenure at Hampton University where she won numerous titles in the CIAA in the 60 indoors and the 100 outdoors.

Upon graduation, Clarke represented the Bahamas at three Olympic Games, inclusive of Los Angeles in 1984, Atlanta, Georgia in 1996 and Sydney, Australia in 2000.

In both Los Angeles and Atlanta, Clarke ran in the 100, but she was a member of the women’s 4 x 100 relay teams at the three games, the last of which she helped the Bahamas earn the gold medal.

Now employed in the Sports Department of the Ministry of Tourism, Clarke said ten years later since winning the gold on the women’s 4 x 100 relay team and 22 years since she graduated from college, she is quite thrilled that she’s being inducted.

Raymond Celester Crittenden Jr., one of Virginia State’s most prolific players, died Monday of natural causes. He was 83.

At Virginia State College (now Virginia State University), Crittenden started every football and basketball game and lettered in football, basketball and track. He was also all-CIAA in football and basketball, and held a 10-year record for most points scored in a basketball game.

He was inducted into the Virginia State University Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Hampton Roads African-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

After getting his bachelor’s degree from Virginia State, Crittenden went on to a long career as a high school teacher, administrator, football coach and basketball coach from 1954-88.

The grandfather of former New England Patriots Raymond Crittenden IV, he was laid to rest Saturday in Newport News, Virginia.

(via Examiner.com)

We love showcasing folks in the act of doing good, especially if it’s of great service. Earlier this year we ran into Tonisha Johnson of Samaritan’s Feet International, a charity dedicated to changing lives while distributing shoes to needy kids all over the world. Check out their effort in Tonisha’s words.

While at CIAA last week we had the chance to meet and speak with Steve Ewing, a Ford dealer in the Atlanta Area. The cool thing about Steve is that Read the rest of this entry »

Join us on our quest to live the Alumni CIAA Experience.
PHOTOS AFTER THE JUMP…
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It is apparent to me that we arrived on the right day, Thursday, if we wanted to get the lay of the land here in Charlotte. Having never been here, and opting out of the $14/day gps upcharge at the car rental agency this is necessary. Tonight after a reasonable day of “normal” traffic, the city began showing signs of the CIAA traffic that will be in FULL SWING tomorrow.

Notable happenings today:

• “Hotel Lobby Envy”  – This term was mentioned a couple times today in relation to Read the rest of this entry »

The Alumni Roundup team is in Charlotte looking forward to seeing you at our FIRST attendance of the legendary CIAA tournament. After hearing SO MUCH about this famed event we couldn’t resist the opportunity to come down.

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