CIAA Basketball Tournament Becomes Talking Point in Charlotte Mayoral Race

Just in case you wondered if black college sports was not a significant part of community culture, behold the influence of the CIAA Basketball Tournament on the Charlotte mayoral race.

Lassiter, meanwhile, accused Foxx of distorting his record.

“Throughout the campaign you have spread false information about my record,” Lassiter told Foxx.

In particular, he cited the Democrat’s comments about the CIAA basketball tournament. Foxx has said Lassiter voted against city money for it.

In closed session in 2007, the council reauthorized a $200,000 contribution to the CIAA, a group of historically black colleges that brought its basketball tournament to Charlotte in 2006. The vote was 9-2 with Foxx in support and Lassiter against.

Lassiter, who had long supported the tournament, has said the vote reflected a difference on how – not whether – the city would make its contribution. When the issue came to a public vote last February, the council unanimously backed it.

So the next time you think that going to a homecoming or supporting black college sports is just wasted money out of your pocket, remember that municipalities large and small recognize the financial and social value of their presence.

In other words, get off your behind and go support a black college athletic program or event.

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