Each spring, all potential officiants participate in the CIAA Football Mini-Camp led by Donnell Leathers, Coordinator of Football Officials, where they learn the mechanics and rules of officiating and their skills are judged at scrimmage games.
Head line judge Sharlanda Demingo, the most experienced in the group, line judge Christina Thurman, field judge Bobbie Torain, side judge Ruth Onyekwelu and back judge Joysha Gay made their national TV debut as a 5-woman team on Oct. 27 at the CIAA football game in Durham, NC, which aired on Aspire TV and online on The CIAA Sports Network. The group previously officiated together on Sept. 29 and each of them had separately officiated games throughout the CIAA’s 10-game season.
“Women also love the game of football. What better way to show our love than by officiating,” said Joysha Gay, back judge, CIAA Football.
Demingo and Onyekwelu will be part of the officiating team for the CIAA Football Championship game, featuring Fayetteville State and Bowie State on Saturday, November 10 in Salem, VA.
For the CIAA, having female officials covering football as well as other sports in the conference, is vitally important. Their presence represents the increase of inclusion, and more female fans, for football especially.
“Our teams, sports fans, students and the overall community benefit from having balanced, diverse and inclusive teams officiating all of our sports. It’s important to me the CIAA lead by example, “ said Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner.
Their passion for sports fueled their desire to become officials – Thurman played powderpuff football in college, flag football in college and coaches JV and varsity basketball at Trinity Christian; Onyekwelu played volleyball, soccer and basketball through college. And they also had a desire to give back to the community through sports. All five women dedicate the weekends and some Fridays to officiating during football season. The love of the game drives them to cover games on the weekend after putting in long hours at their primary jobs during the week, along with managing family responsibilities.
Thurman is a teacher and a wife and mother, Torain works in finance, Gay is a Delta Airlines flight attendant, Demingo was in the Air Force and currently works for the Dept. of Agriculture in IT, along with taking care of her son and her father, Onyekwelu is an elementary school health/physical education teacher, her husband is an official too.
The female officials definitely attract attention from attendees at the games. Unaccustomed to seeing women in referee uniforms, men, women, old and young generally look at Torain, Demingo, Onyekwelu, Gay and Thurman with pride and admiration. This group of accomplished officials are symbols of strong leadership, building a foundation for the next generation of female officials. “Officiating is a great way for women to be part of the game,” said Gay.
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitterand Instagram.
CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
“Women also love the game of football. What better way to show our love than by officiating,” said Joysha Gay, back judge, CIAA Football.
Demingo and Onyekwelu will be part of the officiating team for the CIAA Football Championship game, featuring Fayetteville State and Bowie State on Saturday, November 10 in Salem, VA.
For the CIAA, having female officials covering football as well as other sports in the conference, is vitally important. Their presence represents the increase of inclusion, and more female fans, for football especially.
“Our teams, sports fans, students and the overall community benefit from having balanced, diverse and inclusive teams officiating all of our sports. It’s important to me the CIAA lead by example, “ said Jacqie McWilliams, CIAA Commissioner.
Their passion for sports fueled their desire to become officials – Thurman played powderpuff football in college, flag football in college and coaches JV and varsity basketball at Trinity Christian; Onyekwelu played volleyball, soccer and basketball through college. And they also had a desire to give back to the community through sports. All five women dedicate the weekends and some Fridays to officiating during football season. The love of the game drives them to cover games on the weekend after putting in long hours at their primary jobs during the week, along with managing family responsibilities.
Thurman is a teacher and a wife and mother, Torain works in finance, Gay is a Delta Airlines flight attendant, Demingo was in the Air Force and currently works for the Dept. of Agriculture in IT, along with taking care of her son and her father, Onyekwelu is an elementary school health/physical education teacher, her husband is an official too.
The female officials definitely attract attention from attendees at the games. Unaccustomed to seeing women in referee uniforms, men, women, old and young generally look at Torain, Demingo, Onyekwelu, Gay and Thurman with pride and admiration. This group of accomplished officials are symbols of strong leadership, building a foundation for the next generation of female officials. “Officiating is a great way for women to be part of the game,” said Gay.
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first African American athletic conference and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 13 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Chowan University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine's University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com. For more information on the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit CIAATournament.org, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitterand Instagram.
CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
