RFC Small College Preview: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)--(NCAA Division II)

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)

2014 CIAA Football Standings


Looking back: The 2014 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was dominated by Virginia State in the North Division, and Winston-Salem State in the South, with both squads finishing unbeaten in conference play at the end of the regular season.  The Trojans defeated the Rams, 21-17, to claim the CIAA championship.

But the Trojans remarkable season didn't end there, as they downed LIU-Post, 28-17, for their first-ever NCAA Division II playoff victory. Their run ended in the second round of the D-II playoffs, as they fell to Bloomsburg, 35-14.

Looking ahead: Virginia State will try to make it back-to-back CIAA championships this fall, while Winston-Salem State will try to rebound after missing out on postseason play despite a nine-win season.


Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):

North Division

1. Virginia State (10-3):  If the Trojans hope to repeat as CIAA champions in 2015, they must do it under new head coach Byron Thweatt. He replaces Latrell Scott, who left to take a similar position at Norfolk State.

2. Virginia Union (7-3):  The Panthers hope to improve on last year's 5-2 conference mark, which included a 3-2 in North Division action.

3. Bowie State (5-5):  With 20 starters coming back from a squad that finished 5-2 in league play, and 4-1 in division games, expect the Bulldogs to be serious contenders for the CIAA crown this fall.

4. Elizabeth City State (4-6):  The Vikings struggled in close games last season, going 1-4 in games decided by eight points or less. 


5. Chowan (2-8): The Hawks hope to put another disappointing season behind them.

6. Lincoln (Pa.)--(1-9):  The Lions will look to start over yet again, as Herb Pickens steps in as their interim head coach. 

South Division

1. Winston-Salem State (9-2): The Rams not only found themselves a combined nine points away from an undefeated regular season, but also another appearance at the NCAA Division II playoffs. With that said, they hope to use that postseason snub as motivation for this fall.

2. Fayetteville State (5-5):  The Broncos look to build on a second place showing that saw them finish 5-2 in CIAA play, and 4-1 in South Division games last season.

3. St. Augustine's (3-7):  After spending last season as the interim head coach, Michael Morand got the job permanently once the offseason arrived. He'll have his work cut out for him this season, as he hopes to lift a struggling Falcons program into CIAA championship contention.

4. Johnson C. Smith (3-7):  The Golden Bulls begin a new era under new head coach Kermit Blount, who was a former head coach at Winston-Salem State. 

5. Livingstone (5-5):  The Blue Bears hope to bounce back after a promising 4-0 start fizzled into a 1-5 finish.

6. Shaw (3-7):  The Bears will shoot for their second winning season in three years under third-year head coach Robert Massey. 

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