THE RFC MYC: Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)-(NCAA Division II)

Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)-(NCAA Division II)

Overview: The Virginia Union University Panthers won their first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship since 2001 after defeating Fayetteville State 21-10 on November 11. But VUU's season ended in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs after falling to Kutztown 38-14 the following week. The Panthers season ended at 10-2 overall following the loss to the Golden Bears. Those 10 wins were the most that a VUU program had since 1990.

Moving ahead to 2024, the Panthers will have a serious challenge in defending their CIAA crown, with longtime rival Virginia State recently being selected to finish first in the preseason poll. The Trojans finished the 2023 season at 8-2 after starting at 7-0, only to lose two of their final three games, including the season-ending loss to the Panthers. 

Other CIAA squads to watch going into this season include Bowie State (6-4, 5-3), Fayetteville State (8-3, 8-0) and Johnson C. Smith (7-3, 6-2).

Finally, one team will be missing from the football field this fall, as the St. Augustine's University Falcons canceled their 2024 season amid ongoing accreditation and financial problems within the Raleigh, North Carolina-based institution. The departure of St. Augustine's will give the CIAA 11 teams that will be taking the field this season.    

2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Football Final Standings

2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to find the schedules)

NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is unavailable, the team didn't release its schedule for the 2024 season. Once the team's schedule is available, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and more.

Bluefield State

Bowie State

Elizabeth City State

Fayetteville State

Johnson C. Smith

Lincoln (Pa.)

Livingstone

Shaw 

Virginia State

Virginia Union

Winston Salem State

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