Special-edition jerseys celebrate the legacy of the CIAA tournament’s female athletes
BALTIMORE – All eyes will be on the basketball court at CFG Bank Arena this week during the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s annual tournament – and on the new uniforms debuting for the 12 women’s basketball teams.
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the women’s championship tournament, the special-edition jerseys are not just about a fresh look; they’re a tribute to the history and legacy of the female athletes who have shaped the tournament over the years.
The uniforms will be prominently displayed throughout the week during the tournament games and the conference Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Designed to honor the athletes who paved the way for today’s players, these jerseys also highlight the future of CIAA women’s basketball.
“I didn’t see this coming at all,” Lincoln University senior guard Anyssa Fields said. “It’s such a cool experience and legacy to be a part of. What a fun environment it is going to be to play in, even more than usual now because of this anniversary and the new uniforms.”
All of the team uniforms feature the same overall design, but each incorporates the distinctive color schemes unique to each school. Created in collaboration with Under Armour, the footwear and apparel brand based in Baltimore, the jerseys are “truly a labor of love and collaboration,” according to Marcus Clarke, the CIAA senior associate commissioner for championships and internal operations.
Clarke said Anna Butzlaff, the conference’s associate commissioner for strategic communications and external partnerships, was instrumental in moving this project forward.
“There was a deep sense of responsibility in honoring the 50-year legacy of the CIAA women’s basketball tournament, and we wanted to ensure we created something that would resonate with both the athletes and the wider community,” Butzlaff said.
At first glance, the most noticeable feature of the 50th anniversary uniform is the gold detailing and stitching.
“The gold elements represent the excellence and achievement that have been the foundation of this tournament for five decades, while the zebra print trim serves as a reminder of the community’s rich cultural heritage and the strength that comes from embracing diversity,” Butzlaff said. “Our goal was to create uniforms that athletes would wear with pride, knowing they are part of something bigger than themselves — a legacy of resilience, strength and unity.”
The official 50th anniversary logo appears on the right shoulder of the jerseys as an emblem of the tournament’s growth. The gold circular logo features the year “1975” on its left arch, “2025” on its right arch and “50” in the center in a large, white font. Beneath the “50” are the CIAA logo and the words “Women’s Basketball Tournament.” A basketball sits at the top center of the logo, completing the look.
Several social media videos have captured players’ reactions to their new uniforms. The Lincoln University Lions’ video, featuring Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy Award-winning track “Not Like Us,” has garnered over 8,000 views on Instagram thus far.
“As a senior, being a part of a conference that is celebrating its players is a feeling like no other,” Lincoln guard Ciani Montgomery said. “To play in those jerseys and be a part of the 50th anniversary is an honor and privilege. I take pride in playing and am grateful for those who have come before me.”
In the early years of the tournament, jerseys were simpler, featuring solid colors, polyester fabric and team names stitched across the chest. Now, the uniforms are about more than just functionality or tradition – they tell the story of Black female athletes who have fought for respect and visibility on the same court as their male counterparts.
“When you talk about the CIAA, you’re talking about Black excellence at its highest peak. Watching these young ladies do what they love — it doesn’t get any better than that,” said Virginia State head women’s basketball coach Nadine Domond.
“They’re relentless in the pursuit of being great, relentless in trying to get better every day and relentless in their love for the game.”
For many players, the new uniforms are a reminder that their journey is bigger than the game.
“I was genuinely surprised,” Virginia State University junior forward Carmen Kweti said. “I wasn’t expecting anything, and then I walked in and saw my jersey with the number 14, representing everyone who came before me. It was a whole bunch of emotions — I can’t wait to put that jersey on and play.”