CIAA Partners with Marcus Graham Project to Pursue Division I Status by 2025

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  Sports and Competition on Thu, Nov 20th, 2025 by Sports Illustrated

CIAA and Marcus Graham Project Team Up to Launch D9 Campaign 2025

In a bold move that could reshape the future of historically Black college and university (HBCU) athletics, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Marcus Graham Project have announced a joint campaign aimed at accelerating the conference’s climb to Division I status by the 2025‑26 academic year. The initiative, unveiled on the Sports Illustrated HBCU platform, brings together a storied conference with a high‑profile former player and philanthropist to tackle the logistical, financial, and cultural hurdles that have historically kept HBCU programs from breaking into the NCAA’s top tier.

A Brief Look at the CIAA

Founded in 1912, the CIAA is the oldest HBCU athletic conference in the United States. Its member institutions—spanning Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Maryland—have produced more than 700 All‑American athletes, numerous Olympic competitors, and a deep legacy of competitive basketball, baseball, football, and other sports. Yet, despite its storied history, the CIAA has largely remained in Division II, limited by infrastructure, scholarship budgets, and a lack of national visibility. The 2025 campaign seeks to address these gaps head‑on.

Marcus Graham: From Court to Community

Marcus Graham, a former standout guard who played professionally in the NBA G League and overseas, turned to philanthropy after his playing days ended. He founded the Marcus Graham Project in 2018 with the mission of providing high‑quality athletic training, educational support, and community outreach to HBCU athletes. Through the project, Graham has already partnered with several universities to improve coaching clinics, establish scholarship funds, and raise awareness about HBCU talent in the national media.

The partnership with the CIAA signals a natural next step for Graham’s organization: a focused effort to elevate HBCU athletics to the same level of competition and exposure enjoyed by traditionally white institutions (TWIs). The project’s name—“D9 Campaign 2025”—hints at the ambition: “D9” stands for NCAA Division I, the highest echelon of college sport, and “2025” sets a clear deadline for the program’s progress.

The Campaign’s Core Objectives

1. Infrastructure Upgrades
The campaign has outlined a roadmap for modernizing athletic facilities across all CIAA schools. This includes renovating basketball arenas, upgrading track and field complexes, and investing in new training centers equipped with state‑of‑the‑art technology. The plan is to bring at least 80 % of the conference’s venues up to Division I standards by the end of 2025.

2. Scholarship Expansion
Currently, CIAA teams compete for roughly 200 scholarship spots annually, far below the 25‑spot per sport that Division I programs enjoy. The joint initiative will lobby the NCAA and private donors to secure additional funding, with a goal of creating an extra 300–500 scholarship slots across the conference. Marcus Graham’s network of former professional athletes and corporate partners will be crucial in driving this effort.

3. Coaching Development
High‑level coaching is a non‑negotiable ingredient for Division I success. The campaign will roll out a comprehensive coaching development program, featuring mentorship from seasoned Division I coaches, regular clinics, and certification opportunities. These resources will aim to elevate both head coaches and assistant staff, ensuring they are equipped to recruit, develop, and compete at the highest level.

4. Marketing & Exposure
Visibility is the lifeblood of Division I. The campaign will launch a media partnership with major sports networks, including a dedicated segment on Sports Illustrated’s HBCU platform, to highlight CIAA athletes and stories. It will also explore national TV contracts and streaming options to broadcast games, thereby attracting fan engagement and sponsorships.

Financial Blueprint

The projected budget for the 2025 campaign is estimated at $35 million, broken down as follows:

• Facility Upgrades: $18 million
• Scholarships & Recruitment: $7 million
• Coaching & Development: $4 million
• Marketing & Media: $3 million
• Contingency & Administration: $3 million

Funding sources are diversified: the CIAA will allocate a portion of its revenue, private donors (including Graham’s own foundation), corporate sponsors (particularly those with a strong presence in the Black business community), and targeted grants from the NCAA and the U.S. Department of Education.

Timeline & Milestones

• Summer 2023: Secure initial donor commitments; finalize the facility upgrade plan.
• Fall 2023: Launch coaching clinics; begin scholarship outreach.
• Spring 2024: Complete major renovations at flagship campuses (e.g., North Carolina A&T).
• Fall 2024: Sign national broadcast agreements; commence marketing push.
• Spring 2025: Finalize scholarship expansions; ensure all facilities meet Division I criteria.
• Fall 2025: Submit the CIAA’s formal application to the NCAA for Division I membership; host the “D9” kickoff event featuring a panel of alumni, coaches, and donors.

Stakeholder Voices

“The CIAA has always been a breeding ground for talent and resilience,” said CIAA Commissioner James Davis. “But to bring that talent to the national stage, we need infrastructure, resources, and visibility. Marcus’s expertise and passion give us the momentum to make Division I a reality.”

Marcus Graham added, “We’re not just building stadiums or scholarships; we’re building a culture of excellence that aligns with the legacy of HBCUs. Every athlete who steps onto a Division I field should know they’re part of a history that’s proud of who they are.”

Challenges Ahead

Transitioning to Division I is not merely a financial or logistical challenge—it’s also a cultural one. Critics caution that rapid expansion could dilute the academic focus that many HBCUs champion. Others point out that competing against larger schools will increase the risk of player burnout and financial strain. The campaign’s leaders have addressed these concerns by emphasizing a balanced approach: maintaining rigorous academic standards, ensuring player health protocols, and embedding community service into athletic programs.

Looking Forward

If successful, the CIAA’s D9 campaign could become a blueprint for other HBCU conferences—CIS and SWAC—seeking to enhance their competitiveness. Moreover, the partnership between a historic conference and a modern philanthropic organization exemplifies a new era of collaboration between academia, athletics, and community investment.

The Sports Illustrated HBCU column has followed the CIAA’s journey closely, providing a front‑row seat to the story. Readers can explore the official CIAA website for updates, the Marcus Graham Project’s portal for donor opportunities, and the NCAA’s policy pages to track the application status.

In the words of a recent CIAA alumni, “It’s not just about the game; it’s about showing the world that HBCU athletes can win on any stage. This campaign is our ticket to that stage.” Whether the conference will achieve Division I status by 2025 remains to be seen, but the partnership has already ignited a conversation about equity, opportunity, and the future of HBCU sports.