CIAA legacy in good hands
Kerry’s efforts preserve legacy of CIAA greats
March 6, 2003
By Donald Hunt
Philadelphia Tribune Staff Writer
Originally published: February 23, 2003 For Leon Kerry, commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), this is the busiest time of year. Actually, for most conference commissioners, basketball season is a hectic time. But when you have to oversee the CIAA tournament -- which happens to be one of the best in college basketball -- then you’ve got a lot of work to do.
Kerry has been spending a great deal of time in Raleigh, North Carolina, where the 58th annual CIAA basketball tournament will tip off at the Raleigh Entertainment and Sports Arena this week. The tournament will begin tomorrow and run through March 1. More than 80,000 fans will converge on Raleigh this week generating over $9 million to the city.
“I came down here three weeks ago,” Kerry said. “I tell everybody I have get down [to Raleigh] to make sure everything is right before [the fans and media] get down here. But really, this should be another great tournament. And I’m not just saying that because we’re involved with putting this thing together.
“Our staff has worked extremely hard to secure sponsorships, sell tickets, television coverage and all the things that go together in making this tournament successful. Plus, our member schools have played a major role in making the CIAA attractive to so many people around the country.”
The CIAA includes some of the nation’s most prestigious Black colleges, such as Virginia State, North Carolina Central, Virginia Union, Winston-Salem, Elizabeth City and others. The 12-member conference has produced some great players over the years, such as Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, Teddy Blunt, Cleo Hill, Charles Oakley, Bobby Dandridge, Al Attles, Sam Jones, Darrell Armstrong, Terry Davis and A.J. English. Not to mention Hall of Fame coaches Clarence “Big House” Gaines and John McLendon, who achieved great success in the conference.
Locally, the CIAA has been well represented, with players like Monroe, Mike Gale, Lynn Greer Sr., Vince Miller, Ronald Murray, Monte’ Ross, George Gibson, Darryl Warwick, Joe Howell, Willie Youngblood, Jarrett Kearse, brothers David Lacy and Carl Lacy, Darryl Gates, Anthony King, Eric “Jeep” Lewis, Randy Slade, Lawrence “Snuffy” Smith, Tyrell Biggs, Joel Murphy, William Wright, Timothy Hardy, Joe Harper, Rick Owens, Anwar Scott, Romie Thomas, Joel Murphy, Bob Black, William Harriott, Greg McDonald, Mike Levister, Ronald Johnson, Marvin Brown, John Sanders, Ray “Mumbles” Tinney and Shawn Bishop. Female standouts Rashida Brooks, Val Phillips, Jessica Phillips, Sherita McKinnon, Karen Beckham, Tracy Wilkins, Sheri Parham and Sabrina Parham also played in the CIAA.
Kerry, 54, a Norfolk State alumnus, has been coming to the CIAA tournament since his collegiate days. He remembers watching some of the powerhouse teams. But Kerry knows the tournament is more than just basketball. It’s an extravaganza.
“I’ve seen some outstanding players, coaches and games in the CIAA,” Kerry said. “The tournament is so exciting. I’ve seen the games go into overtime. I’ve seen them go down to the last shot. Basketball is a big part of the tournament. But the CIAA has been able to appeal to just the casual fan. There’s so much to do down here. We have a vendor section at the arena. You can buy hats, shirts, sweatshirts, food and other items. We have various alumni groups who have parties throughout the week. There are a number of sororities and fraternities who have special events and get together for fellowship.”
Terrie Williams, the best selling author of “A Personal Touch -- What You Really Need to Succeed in Today’s Fast-Paced Business World” will add her touch to the female participants of the 2003 CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, at the annual Tip-Off banquet this evening. The evening is in honor of the participants of the 29th CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and recognizes the all-conference players, Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, selected by the CIAA Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
The CIAA will induct the 2003 class of the John B. McLendon Hall of Fame. Tom Joyner, syndicated radio host and philanthropist; Marty Miller, ex-Norfolk State baseball coach and player; Dick Price, former Norfolk State football and track and field coach and administrator and Rick Mahorn, Hampton University and NBA star, are this year’s inductees. The honorees will be enshrined at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Marriott Crabtree.
“We have some great people going into the hall of fame,” said Kerry, who resides in Chesapeake, Virginia with his wife Angela and daughters Lisa and LeAnne. “Obviously, Rick Mahorn had a terrific career at Hampton. He won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons. Marty Miller and Dick Price have made big contributions to CIAA sports.
“But Tom Joyner has been really special to Black colleges around the country. The Tom Joyner Foundation has helped so many Black colleges around the nation. The financial contributions have helped a lot of students stay in school. I know Tom didn’t go to a CIAA school. He’s a Tuskegee (University) graduate. Nevertheless, we’re proud of what he’s done for CIAA schools and other Black colleges too.”
Joyner will bring the tournament national exposure on his radio program on Friday morning. Kerry’s innovative business ideas have allowed him to climb the ladder in the CIAA. In 1988, he started working part-time and volunteering his expertise to the conference. At the time, he was vice president of Bank of America. Kerry eventually left the banking industry to run the business office.
In 1989, he replaced former commissioner Bob Moorman as the interim commissioner. A year later, he became full-time commissioner. Kerry is in his 13th year as the league’s head man. He is the longest-tenured commissioner of a Black college conference.
This is a great time to be the CIAA commissioner. A year ago, Ronald “Flip” Murray, former Strawberry Mansion High School star, led Shaw University to its first CIAA championship. Murray became National Division II Player of the Year and now plays for the Seattle SuperSonics. Ben Wallace, a Virginia Union product, was the starting center for the Eastern Conference All-Stars in the NBA All-Star Game. Wallace has a good chance to make the 2004 U.S. Olympic basketball team. In regards to the Olympics, George Williams, Saint Augustine’s head track and field coach, will coach the U.S. track team in Athens, Greece.
“I’m really pleased with our athletes, coaches and administrators,” Kerry said. “We’ve had a lot of success over the years. Black colleges have done a great job reaching out to kids. They’ve provided them with a way to receive a good education and participate in sports. It’s nice to see them go to the NBA, NFL or Major League Baseball. Then again, it’s good to see them get their degrees. We want them to be successful on and off the field.”
Back to CIAA Online Front Page