CIAA Football, Volleyball Championship Games Cancelled After Fight

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s 2013 CIAA Football Championship Game has been cancelled after a fight involving students from Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University.

Five Virginia State football players apparently beat up Rudy Johnson, Winston-Salem State University’s starting quarterback, during a luncheon, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.

Said Jacqie Carpenter, commissioner of the CIAA, in a statement:

Based on the incident that occurred today, and after consulting with the leadership of each institution and the Football and Volleyball championship committees, the CIAA is saddened to announce that this weekend’s Football and Volleyball conference championships that were scheduled to take place in Winston-Salem have been canceled. On the eve of such an important weekend for dozens of our student-athletes, many of whom have waited a lifetime for such a moment, we are left to focus instead on what might have been.

Our singular focus is on the safety and security of the CIAA’s student-athletes and those who follow them. It is important that everyone involved in the CIAA embody our mission every day by acting as upstanding individuals on and off the field. We must work together to hold each other to higher standards of responsible judgment and conduct because we must demand that if we are to succeed.

We did not make this decision lightly, as its impact is far and wide – affecting our student-athletes, alumni, fans, sponsors and more. But the CIAA has long had policies to encourage responsible behavior, and must consider what is necessary to assure days like today are not repeated, ever.

We will cooperate fully with the NCAA as it relates to its upcoming Division II national championships.

Lamont Britt, a player for  Virginia State, charged Friday with misdemeanor assault inflicting serious injury, according to ESPN.

For the initial story, click here.