First Lady Joins Local Elementary School Students to Participate in a Special “Let’s Move!” Pre-Game Program
First Lady Michelle Obama will join Senator Kay Hagan and North Carolina school children for a Let’s Move! on-court event during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament and 100th Anniversary celebration. The CIAA, known as the “Conference of Firsts” is the oldest African-American athletic conference in the nation and consists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) spanning the east coast from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Space is limited, and media seeking to cover this program between the 1:00pm and 3:00pm games, should RSVP to Shera White, Director of Communications at [email protected] by Tuesday, February 28 at 6:00 PM.
Heightened security measures will be in effect in preparation for Mrs. Obama’s arrival. Media and Tournament attendees are advised to arrive at 10:30am on Friday, March 2 if they plan on attending the 1:00 p.m. game; airport security measures are to be expected.
The First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative is focused on solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. The initiative has brought together parents, businesses, educators, elected officials, members of the military, chefs, physicians, athletes, childcare providers, community and faith leaders and kids themselves to make substantial commitments to improve the health of our nation’s children. Through working together with Let’s Move!, these groups have provided children with healthier food and greater opportunities for physical activity in schools and communities, helped get families the information they need to make healthier decisions, supported a healthy start in early childhood, and have worked to ensure more people have access to healthy, affordable food.
“The CIAA, its Board of Directors, member institutions, alumni, students and fans are excited to welcome First Lady, Michelle Obama to our 100th Anniversary Celebration. This is a great moment in the history of the CIAA and we are honored to share such a memorable experience with Mrs. Obama,” stated CIAA Interim Commissioner, Peggy Davis.
Conceived on February 2, 1912, the CIAA has grown into a cultural phenomenon and is arguably one of the most influential mechanisms in all of Black America; giving birth to one of the country’s greatest, most financially successful event in all of black college sports. Over the past 13 years alone, the CIAA Tournament has generated over $269 million in economic impact for the state of North Carolina and over $17.1 million in overall scholarship dollars for CIAA member institutions.
The CIAA’s focus on education, a by-product of its annual Tournament, is an important initiative that has been a part of the fabric of the Conference from its formation. The CIAA’s partnerships with its corporate sponsors have led to hundreds of jobs and internship opportunities and millions of scholarship dollars for its students. Sponsors donate annually to the CIAA General Scholarship Fund (GSF) and actively participate in the annual CIAA Career Expo. The CIAA’s Education Day introduces Middle and High School students to the CIAA educational experience through its member institutions by providing information and on-site admissions for high school seniors. Over the past six years, the CIAA has drawn over 10,000 students to Education Day, many of which were accepted to CIAA member institutions. In an effort to continue to support the CIAA’s mission to provide educational opportunities for students to attend any CIAA school, we are asking our alumni and fans to make a donation to the CIAA GSF by visiting www.ciaatournament.org/donate.
The CIAA anticipates the largest Tournament in the history of the iconic Conference, which is schedule to officially begin on Tuesday, February 28 with the first round of women’s and men’s games. Tickets to the games are still available at the Time Warner Cable Arena Box office.
Tournament attendees can anticipate an exciting week of events, activities and star-studded appearances. Event favorites include the Toyota Fan Experience at the Charlotte Convention Center and McDonald’s Super Saturday at the Time Warner Cable Arena; both FREE of charge. At the Toyota Fan Experience, fans will have an opportunity to check out free concerts from national recording artist Estelle, Avant, Omarion, Vivian Green, Avant, Boyz II Men and Yolanda Adams , as well as special appearances by actors Lance Gross and Laz Alonzo. At the McDonald’s Super Saturday, fans can look forward to event favorites such as the Cheerleading Exhibition, Food Lion Miss CIAA Pageant, DJ Competition and a special performance from Hamilton Park.
Other returning official CIAA events that require purchasing a ticket includes the McDonald’s Step Show Throwdown at the Grady Cole Center, Sister 2 Sister presents Queen City Celebration Finale hosted by Anthony Hamilton featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff at the Ritz Carlton Urban Gardens and the CIAA Coaches’ Social featuring The Manhattans with Gerald Austin and Blue Lovett taking place in the new Crown Ballroom at the Charlotte Convention Center.
New additions to the CIAA official event line-up includes the CIAA Adult Skate Party at Starlight Skating Rink, CIAA & V101.9 Greek Day Party at Coyote Joe’s, the CIAA, Power 98 & Club 935 Greek Day Party hosted by BET’s Terrance J, the CIAA High School Step Show Step-Off at the Grady Cole Center, the CIAA Champions Day on Sunday, March 4 at the Toyota Fan Experience in the Charlotte Convention Center and much more to come.
For more information about how to purchase tickets and a complete list of official events, fans can visit www.ciaatournament.org.
