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| CIAA UpdateFebruary 17, 2000By Bonitta Best Kerry now longest tenured HBCU commissionerWith the recent resignation of SIAC commissioner Wallace Jackson, CIAAcommissioner Leon Kerry now has the longest tenure of the four HBCUcommissioners at 10 years. MEAC commissioner Charlie Harris and SWACcommissioner Rudy Washington have less than five years."People don't understand that the job as commissioner is a very tedious,tough job," Kerry said. "People assume that as commissioner you make thedecisions and that's not necessarily true. By the grace of God, I'vestill been able to maintain and handle, but Wallace Jackson was and is agood man. He did a good job for them." One common denominator the four have in common that can make the life ofcommish a quick one is the daily battles with the boss, all 10 to 12 ofthem. Commissioners report to a board of directors, usually thepresidents an/or chancellors of the schools in their conferences, thathave the final say on decisions. Sometimes it's a comfortable partnership. "All fans have their own pet issues," said Harris who spent 10 years asDirector of Athletics at Arizona State. "Part of the job thatcommissioners have is to balance those issues and make the folks that wework for aware what some of the variables are. We implement the policiesthat are developed by the athletic directors and presidents. That's whatwe really do." Sometimes the partnership turns sour. "The SIAC has the potential to be the best black college conference inthe nation but currently lacks the necessary commitment, particularlyfinancial," Jackson said. "I've taken them as far as I can with theresources given to me. I'm leaving on my own and I wish them luck."Wallace and Kerry were not the closest of friends. The Pioneer Bowl sagahad caused friction between the two men. The SIAC and CIAA footballconference champions have met in Atlanta for the past three years, butthe event has not been a media winner. Kerry wants to move the gamecloser to a CIAA site where stadium costs are minimal to none. Jackson'sresignation may now give him that opportunity. With the CIAA tournament two weeks away, all conference action has beendelayed till the April board meeting. Among the more interesting topicsto discuss is the possibility of a two-tier conference of Division IIand Division I-AA schools. Kerry didn't name specific schools but wouldonly say, "I would like any schools that used to belong in the CIAA andsome that have never belonged." "That idea has been discussed between members of the CIAA and the MEACfor many years," said Norfolk State athletic director Orby Moss. "Ithink it has some merit but I don't think people have ever sat down atthe same table to see just what potential exists. There's a lot offinancial implications because the reason a number of schools went toDivision I was because of the financial paybacks they could receive forparticipation in the NCAA tournament and national TV. (But) Anythingthat we as HBCUs can do to continue and build our fan base would be toour best interest." A new wrinkle has been added to the process. Effective Sept. 1999schools that move from one division to another now have an eight yearwait before they can participate in any tournaments as opposed to theprevious two-year wait. Kerry also says the possibility of the CIAA accepting a predominatelywhite school is still not out of the realm, although to date none haveapplied. The main consideration is location, location, location."I look at TV markets like Atlanta and Philadelphia, but you've gotnonrevenue producing sports that don't make any money that cost a lot ofmoney," Kerry said. "A lot of things we have to do differently thanwe've been doing." Provided the Board says OK, of course. Student ticket books to the CIAA tournament have been reduced from $50to $37.50 if bought before the tournament. That's $6.25 per day. CIAAcommissioner Leon Kerry said a student includes undergraduates,graduates and adults. A valid student I.D. card must be provided.Another special student offer is two ticket books and two step showstickets for $95 or special single day prices of $50. But those pricesare only available when CIAA representatives come to the campus.
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