CIAA Declares Virginia State University Ineligible for 2013 Postseason, Will Investigate

HAMPTON, Va. — Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter and the CIAA board of directors declared Virginia State University ineligible to participate in the 2013 football postseason.

The conference made the decision during an emergency conference call to discuss Friday’s events which resulted in the cancellation of the CIAA Football Championship. The championship game will not be rescheduled.

Additionally, the Board affirmed the following:

• The CIAA and its member-institutions strongly condemn all acts of violence that impair in any way the safety, enjoyment and holistic experience of its student-athletes, administrators and followers in any way.
• The CIAA regards the safety and well-being of its student-athletes, administrators and followers to be of the utmost importance.
• The CIAA values, respects and is committed to the history and tradition of the conference, including its strength and reputation as a collection of institutions committed to the highest standards of judgment and behavior toward each other – on and off the field of competition.

The board of directors authorized Commissioner Carpenter and her designees to conduct an investigation and report her recommendations regarding further action to the board of directors. Carpenter said the investigation is ongoing and the results and recommendations will be provided to the board of directors in as expedient a timeline as possible.