Ford CIAA 60th Anniversary All-Tournament Team Announced
Current and Former CIAA and NBA Greats Highlight 60 th Anniversary Team

March 1, 2005

HAMPTON, Va. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), in partnership with Ford Motor Company has announced the results of the Ford CIAA 60 th Anniversary All-Tournament team.

• The team, consisting of 10 CIAA greats like current NBA Piston Ben Wallace and former NBA all-star Earl Monroe and three innovative coaches, was determined by vote totals from CIAA fans via the tournament Web site (ciaa2005.com), CIAA Presidents, coaches, CIAA Hall of Fame members, CIAA athletic directors and national media.

“This collection of players and coaches are the foundation for the success and historical significance of the CIAA Tournament,” said CIAA Commissioner Leon G. Kerry. “We wanted to honor the all-time greats that have thrilled and inspired CIAA fans for the last 60 years.

“Because of these pioneers and their efforts, the CIAA Tournament is now the third largest tournament in the NCAA, regardless of division. Ford Motor Company brought us the idea last year, and with their support, we made honoring these individuals possible.”

The team will be honored during halftime of the men’s championship game on Ford Finals Night, March 5, with a special 60 th anniversary ring presentation. The championship game will be aired live on ESPN2, sponsored by Ford.

“This is our 5 th consecutive year as a corporate partner of the CIAA basketball tournament,” said Steve Lyons, Ford Division president . “We’re honored to serve as title sponsor of this monumental CIAA 60 th Anniversary basketball team. Having a hand in honoring these great players makes this year’s tournament even more meaningful for Ford.”

The Ford CIAA 60 th Anniversary team consists of the ten following players:
Al Attles, North Carolina A&T State University; Bobby Dandridge, Norfolk State University; Cleo Hill, Winston Salem State University; Sam Jones, North Carolina Central University; Earl Lloyd, West Virginia State University; Rick Mahorn, Hampton University; Earl Monroe, Winston Salem State University; Charles Oakley, Virginia Union University; Carlos Terry, Winston Salem State University; Ben Wallace, Virginia Union University.

The three coaches are:
John McLendon, North Carolina Central University (enshrined in the Basketbal Hall of Fame as the “Father of Black Basketball” and co-founder of the CIAA Tournament); Clarence “Big House” Gaines, Winston Salem State University; Dave Robbins, Virginia Union University