Special to The Times
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association brought hundreds of basketball players and cheerleaders and thousands of fans last week to the Bill Harris Arena at the Birmingham CrossPlex, but it also offered service and gave recognition through community events.
On Tuesday, the conference hosted seniors and juniors from schools throughout Jefferson County for a College Fair featuring representatives from a majority of the SIAC’s member institutions.
SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore said he enjoys seeing the success of student-athletes, and he also enjoys seeing the success of students who graduate high school and go on to achieve at SIAC institutions.
The SIAC currently includes three Alabama institutions – Miles College, Stillman College and Tuskegee University. In the fall, Spring Hill College in Mobile will become affiliated with the SIAC, Moore said. Other colleges in the conference include Albany State University, Benedict College, Central State University, Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, Lemoyne-Owen College, Morehouse College, and Paine College.
Also last week, the conference and members of Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha honored four Alphas for their contributions to athletics and the Birmingham community.
Miles College President Dr. George French, Birmingham City Council President Pro Tempore Jay Roberson, City Councilman Steven Hoyt and Chuck Faush, chief of staff to Birmingham Mayor William Bell, were all recognized by Commissioner and the SIAC.
Commissioner Moore said the support of the corporate community, civic community, and men such as the four honorees is integral to the growth of the SIAC Championship Basketball Tournament.
Tournament action and community event associated with tournament continued through the championship games on Saturday, including a Fan Zone on the parking lot of the arena from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday .
