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CHARLOTTE – After careful consideration, the Board of Directors for the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), in conjunction with its Athletic Directors Association (ADA), has recommended the conference opt not to sponsor a championship season for football during the 2020-21 athletic year.

The league had previously postponed football until the Spring of 2021.

Chowan University is a football-only member of the CIAA. It completes in Conference Carolinas in all other sports. That league has postponed all fall sports to the spring.

Additionally, the CIAA announced it is postponing the start of the 2020-21 men’s and women’s basketball season until Jan. 9. Regularly scheduled spring sports will proceed as normal.

“The leadership within our conference remains committed to ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Decisions of this magnitude, while never easy, are made with those factors as the primary focus,” said Clyde Doughty, Bowie State VP of Intercollegiate Athletics & Recreation and CIAA ADA President. “These are unprecedented times for all of us and we continue to work collectively to identify the solutions that act in the best interest of our membership.”

“Although unfortunate and unprecedented circumstances this year will prohibit athletic seasons for some, we remain committed to bolstering opportunities that amplify the experiences of our student-athletes, member institutions, partners and fans,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams.