The stage is set for the 2025 CIAA Football Championship as the Virginia Union University Panthers are set to take on the Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls in Durham.
The big weekend is back in the Bull City for the first time in ten years.
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“It will be a historic event regardless of the outcome. It will be an opportunity to celebrate student athletes and their hard work,” said Kaila’Shea Menendez with the Durham Sports Commission.
Both teams started their morning in service by sorting through donated clothes. They also donated food and tickets to the Durham Rescue Mission’s clients.
“We partnered with the Durham Rescue Mission to get the student athletes touching the needs of the Durham community at the distribution center,” she said.
The Durham Sports Commission said they’re expecting quite the economic impact with thousands of visitors expected to arrive in the Bull City.
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This is the first time that Johnson C. Smith has been in this championship game since 1972 with two-time champions Virginia Union going for a three-peat.
At the stadium, satellite trucks and TV cameras are in place. Organizers called this a collective effort of the city, county and key stakeholders to execute a high level event.
“CIAA is three pillars: legacy, leadership and community. Legacy will always leave footprints wherever we go,” said CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker.
“As long as I’m here and working with the board, we’ll continue to make sure we are living the legacy, developing leaders and also making impact in our communities.”
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