Special to The Times
The teams, fans and alumni of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference sports roll into Birmingham Monday with a week full of championship basketball, special events and lots of fun March 3 -8.
The Bill Harris Arena will be the host venue for the round ball action for men’s and women’s teams. Other events are planned throughout the area.
“Birmingham is an excellent place for the SIAC tournament and all of its affiliated championship events,” said Gregory Moore, SIAC commissioner. “Alabama is home to three SIAC member institutions – Miles College, Stillman College and Tuskegee University. We know there is a strong fan base here, because of the alumni from these colleges as well as other SIAC institutions.
In addition to Miles, Stillman and Tuskegee, the SIAC includes Albany State University, Benedict College, Central State University, Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, Lemoyne-Owen College, Morehouse College, and Paine College. Spring Hill College in Mobile is slated to join the conference in the fall and will be the 15th member.
“We want people from throughout the Southeast to come and see quality teams on the court, and we want young people from the area to come to the games and special events,” Moore said. “Our goal is to inspire them so that they will want to continue their education in college at a SIAC member institution.”
A college fair, featuring each of the SIAC member colleges is set to start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
“We have invited high school juniors and seniors from Birmingham and surrounding areas. We are also working with school systems to arrange transportation,” Moore said. “The SIAC is a sports conference, but our main goal is to encourage academic success.”
Students are encouraged to bring their transcripts and a report of their ACT or SAT scores, said Commissioner Moore. “Last year, many young people were awarded scholarships on the spot and ultimately, almost 100 young people enrolled into SIAC colleges and universities the following fall. We want to see students from the Birmingham enjoying that same type of experience this year,” Moore said.
Also on Tuesday at 7 p.m., a cheer and dance competition will be held at the CrossPlex featuring teams from Albany State University, Benedict College, Claflin University, Kentucky State University and Miles College. The competition will be hosted by Tasha Simone of Birmingham’s HOT 107.7 FM.
On Wednesday, the SIAC will host its 2014 SIAC Hall of Fame Gala at the Fairfield Civic Center. This will be the first induction for the conference’s Hall of Fame since 2000 and will feature 15 former student -athletes, coaches and administrators, Moore said. The event begins at 7 p.m.
Moore said the SIAC has received an enthusiastic welcome from Birmingham city and corporate leaders.
“The mayor and the city council have indicated their support, and we have received support from several leading companies in the area. The alumni from Miles, Stillman, Tuskegee and other member institutions also are supportive,” he said. “This type of response shows that Birmingham really wants us here.”
For more information or to request media credentials for the tournament, visit www.thesiac.com. For the latest updates on the SIAC Tournament, “Like” the SIAC Tournament on Facebook and follow the SIAC on Twitter www.twitter.com/thesiac.
