Central State University to become full member of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

WILBERFORCE, Ohio --  Central State University President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond announced today that Central State will join the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (S-I-A-C).

"Joining the SIAC is a great opportunity for Central State University. The SIAC provides additional exposure for Central State and enhances the collegiate and academic experience," Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond said. "We look forward to the camaraderie and athletic competition with some of the best universities in the country."

Presidents of the SIAC institutions voted unanimously last month on the decision to grant full membership status to Central State University. CSU, which had established partial membership with football in 2013, will see all its sports compete under the rules and by-laws of the SIAC beginning this Fall.

SIAC Presidents Council Chairman and Miles College President Dr. George T. French said, "Central State's participation in the conference is exciting because it will not only add to the competitive spirit that already exists among conference members but will strengthen our conference as a leader within NCAA ranks."

Central State currently competes as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in cross-country, volleyball, men's basketball, women's basketball, men's tennis, women's tennis, women's track & field, and men's track & field. CSU will officially exit the conference at the conclusion of the 2015 spring sports season.

"We (SIAC) are very pleased to welcome Central State University as a full member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference," said SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore. "Central State is an outstanding academic institution with a rich athletic tradition. We look forward to working with President Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond and her staff as they make the transition to full membership."

Founded in 1913, the SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities. Its headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia. The primary mission and purpose of the SIAC is to leverage intercollegiate athletics to the benefit of its student-athletes and to advance the overarching strategic interests of SIAC member institutions. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions. They are: 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, Miles College, Morehouse College, Paine College, Spring Hill College, Stillman College, Tuskegee University. The institutions which are located within a contiguous six-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio).

"Joining the SIAC is an investment into our program. It shows our commitment to enhancing our brand and broadening our fan base," CSU Athletic Director Jahan Culbreath said. "We are excited to start this new era of Marauder sports as a part of the SIAC family."

Central State has been a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference since its inception in 2011. CSU recently celebrated a 10-year anniversary of achieving NCAA Div. II status, which dates back to 2004. Prior to joining the NCAA, Central State competed as a member of the NAIA.

For more information on the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, please visit - http://www.thesiac.com/

COURTESY CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS