The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association has been around for more than 100 years and helped set the standard for historically Black colleges and universities everywhere.

In 2025, the CIAA and HBCU football claimed the NCAA Division II spotlight when Virginia Union senior running back Curtis Allen received the Harlon Hill Trophy as the most outstanding player in Division II football.

The win marked the first time since the introduction of the award in 1986 that a student-athlete from VU, the CIAA or an HBCU took home the coveted trophy.

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The success for the CIAA didn’t end with the conclusion of the regular season, as Virginia Union and Johnson C. Smith notched another historic first for the conference – the first time more than one CIAA team earned the opportunity to host a playoff game in the same season. 

Though both teams lost in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship, the 11-team conference should have some confidence, momentum and something to build on in 2026.

Let’s take a look at some interesting things to know about the CIAA, while expanding on the history-making accomplishments from last season:

What Teams Play Football In The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association?

The 11 football teams that play in the CIAA are:

• Bluefield State
• Bowie State
• Elizabeth City State
• Fayetteville State
• Johnson C. Smith
• Lincoln (Pa.)
• Livingstone
• Shaw
• Virginia State
• Virginia Union
• Winston-Salem State

*Claflin University also is part of the CIAA but does not have a football program. 

2025 CIAA Standings

1. Virginia Union (7-0, 9-1
2.  Johnson C. Smith (6-1, 10-1)
3. Fayetteville State (6-1, 6-4)
4. Virginia State (4-3, 6-4)
5. Elizabeth City State (4-3, 4-6)
6. Livingstone (3-4, 5-5)
7. Winston-Salem State (2-5, 4-6)
8. Bluefield State (2-5, 3-7)
9. Bowie State (2-5, 3-7)
10. Shaw (2-5, 2-8)
11. Lincoln (Pa.) (0-7, 0-10)

*Johnson C. Smith defeated Virgina Union 45-21 in the CIAA championship game, held Nov. 15 in Durham, North Carolina. 

2025 CIAA Award Winners

• Coach of the Year: Maurice Flowers, Johnson C. Smith 
• Offensive Player of the Year: Curtis Allen, Virginia Union 
• Defensive Player of the Year: Kenyon Garner, Livingstone 
• Lineman of the Year: Jamari Mason, Johnson C. Smith
• Special Teams Player of the Year: Brady Myers, Virginia Union 
• Offensive Rookie of the Year: Bobby Smith, Johnson C. Smith 
• Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jaevon Branch, Elizabeth City State 

Virginia Union’s Curtis Allen Breaks Through With Division II’s Top Honor

Curtis Allen, 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, put the CIAA on the map in 2025, his first season as the premier running back for Virginia Union.

He closed the campaign with 2,386 rushing yards, more than 400 yards better than his closest competitor. He also tallied 30 rushing touchdowns and 180 total points, both of which ranked No. 1 across all levels of college football during the 2025 season.

As one of eight finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, Allen’s fate was decided via national ballot, voted on by 177 Division II school and conference sports information directors. 

Allen led the Panthers to a 9-3 record, a runner-up finish to Johnson C. Smith in the CIAA title game and a spot in the Division II Playoffs, where they unfortunately fell to California (Pa.) in the opening round, 27-24.

During his unforgettable season, Allen rushed for at least 100 yards in every game he played and surpassed the 200-yard mark four times. Oh, and one of those games featured a school-record 369 yards and five touchdowns. 

Allen also was named CIAA Offensive Player of the Year, 2025 HBCU GO Offensive Player of the Year, RVA Sports Male Athlete of the Year, All-CIAA, All-American, won the Walter Camp Offensive Player of the Year Award, earned a spot in the American Bowl and more.

With Allen now gone, only time will tell what that means for the Panthers. It also is uncertain if his former teammates and fans will get to see him play in the NFL on Sundays this fall.

He was not picked in the 2026 NFL Draft, but within a couple days of the draft, he received minicamp invitations from the Atlanta Falcons and reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. 

Johnson C. Smith And Virgina Union Represent CIAA In Historic Postseason

Hoping to end a title drought that was approaching six decades, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls wasted no time against Virginia Union in the 2025 CIAA championship game, jumping out to a 14-7 first-quarter lead and never looking back on the way to a 45-21 victory.

It was an experience some of the players only could’ve known about through stories from their grandparents, as it was the school’s first conference title since 1969. The last time the Golden Bulls even had the opportunity to claim the trophy was 1972.

The win denied the Panthers a third consecutive CIAA title, but they ended up not going home empty-handed.

At 9-2 overall after the loss, Virginia Union earned an at-large berth into the Division II Playoffs, allowing the Panthers to make their third straight appearance in the bracket. 

The Golden Bulls were 10-1 at that point in the season, a school record for wins, and earned the conference’s automatic bid to the playoffs. It was the team’s first appearance in the Division II Football Championship, which was held for the first time in 1973. 

More history was made when both teams earned the right to host first-round games, marking the first such occurrence for the CIAA in the postseason.

Unfortunately, that’s where the run ended for the conference. 

Johnson C. Smith lost to Frostburg State 21-7, and California (Pa.) defeated Virginia Union 27-24.

The Golden Bulls closed the year at 10-2, and the Panthers were 9-3.

2026 CIAA Football Media Day Is Set For July 15

Want to get all the insider info about what to expect during the 2026 CIAA football season?

All will be revealed July 15 at the 2026 CIAA Football Media Day, where media representatives will get updates from the conference representatives, speak to all the head coaches and hear from many of the CIAA’s talented players.

They’ll catch up on what has happened during the offseason, how preparation is going for the new campaign and discuss all of the storylines ahead of the 2026 season. 

It’s a celebration of the rich history of HBCU athletics and a glimpse into the future, all rolled in to one action-packed day. 

The event will take place at the Hilton Durham in Durham, North Carolina.

Then, keep an eye on your favorite college football platforms, including FloFootball and FloCollege, for continued coverage and analysis leading into the 2026 season and as it unfolds.

Black College Football Poll To Debut In 2026

With the start of the 2026 college football season will be the introduction of the Black College Football Poll and the Black College Football All-America teams.

Initial support at the NCAA Division I level has come from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, while Division II conferences in the mix include the CIAA and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The BCFP will join the list of rankings produced each week during the season and will feature the input of head coaches and members of the media. There will be separate polls for Division I and Division II.

The voters also will be responsible for selecting the BCF All-America teams for the preseason and postseason, along with the usual postseason accolades. 

More About The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association

The CIAA was founded in 1912 and resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of the nation’s oldest conferences and has set the standard for historically Black colleges and universities. 

Though the conference’s annual basketball tournament is the premier event, bringing in more than 190,000 fans annually, that is just one of 14 championships facilitated by the CIAA each season.

2025 NCAA Division II College Football Rankings 

FloCollege D2 Football Rankings: Through Week 11

1. Ferris State (Prev. 1)
2. Harding (Prev. 2)
3. Kutztown (Prev. 3)
4. West Florida (Prev. 4)
5. CSU Pueblo (Prev. 5)
6. Central Washington (Prev. 6)
7. Indianapolis (Prev. 8)
8. Virginia Union (Prev. 7)
9. Findlay (Prev. 11)
10. Minnesota State (Prev. 15)
11. Pittsburg State (Prev. 13)
12. Northwest Missouri State (Prev. 14)
13. Minnesota Duluth (Prev. 12)
14. Albany State (Prev. 21)
15. Augustana (SD) (Prev. 9)
16. Western Colorado (Prev. 10)
17. UT Permian Basin (Prev. 20)
18. Johnson C. Smith (Prev. 22)
19. Western Oregon (Prev. 25)
20. Ashland (Prev. 16)
21. Grand Valley State (Prev. 24)
22. Chadron State (Prev. RV)
23. Northwood (Prev. RV)
24. Newberry (Prev. RV)
25. Wingate (Prev. RV)

Also Received Votes: Delta State, Frostburg State, Slippery Rock, Michigan Tech, UNC Pembroke, Upper Iowa, Benedict, Kentucky State, Angelo State, Emory & Henry, Assumption, Northeastern State.

Final AFCA Division II Coaches Poll For 2025 Season

1. Ferris St. (16-0)
2. Harding (15-1)
3. Kutztown (14-1)
4. Newberry (12-2)
5. UT Permian Basin (11-3)
6. Pittsburg St. (10-3)
7. Albany St. (12-2)
8. Minnesota St. (10-4)
9. West Florida (10-2)
10. UIndy (11-2)
11. Colorado St.-Pueblo (10-2)
12. Western Colorado (10-3)
13. Central Washington (10-2)
14. Frostburg St. (11-3)
15. Ashland (10-3)
16. Minnesota-Duluth (10-2)
17. Northwest Missouri St. (9-3)
18. Johnson C. Smith (10-2)
19. Findlay (10-2)
20. Benedict (10-3)
21. Virginia Union (9-3)
22. California (Pa.) (9-4)
23. Chadron St. (8-4)
24. Assumption (9-3)
25. Augustana (S.D.) (9-2)

Dropped Out: Grand Valley St. (20), Western Oregon (25)

Others Receiving Votes: Grand Valley St., 71; Wingate, 28; Western Oregon, 26; Valdosta St., 12; Slippery Rock, 8; Upper Iowa, 8; Indiana (Pa.), 4; Delta St., 3; Kentucky St., 3; West Texas A&M, 3; Charleston, 1; Southern Arkansas, 1.

Some Things To Know About Division II Football

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Who Won The Each Football National Championship For The 2025-2026 Season?

• Division I FBS – Indiana def. Miami, 27-21
• Division I FCS – Montana State def. Illinois State 35-34 (OT)
• Division II – Ferris State def. Harding, 42-21
• Division III – University of Wisconsin-River Falls def. North Central (Ill.), 24-14

When Do The 2026 NCAA Division II College Football Playoffs Start?

The first round of the 2026 NCAA Division II Playoffs will be Nov. 21.

The format includes 28 teams and five rounds of play – first round, second round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game. Everything through the semifinals will be played at the site of the participating schools.

The 2026 Division II Football Championship title game will be played Dec. 19, 2026, at McKinney ISD Stadium in McKinney, Texas. The venue has hosted the Division II title tilt since 2018.

Northern Michigan Ferris State Football | 2025 GLIAC Football

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