CIAA Unveils 2025 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Class

Charlotte, N.C. (December___, 2024) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, is proud to announce the 2025 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Class. The 2025 CIAA Hall of Fame Class is set to be enshrined on February 28, 2025. The enshrinement ceremony is slated to begin at 9:00a.m. EST at the Baltimore Convention Center Ballroom, in Baltimore, MD.

The event will be a part of the week-long schedule of events encompassing the 2025 CIAA Basketball Tournament, being held Friday, February 25-March 1 in Baltimore, Maryland. Ticket packages and information about the induction ceremony are available on the John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame page at, also at https://ciaatournament.org.

The newest members of the CIAA Hall of Fame were chosen from a list of nominees who were submitted by their respective institutions and selected by the CIAA Hall of Fame Selection Committee.
 
The 2025 Hall of Fame Honorees include: Bowie State University’s, Arlene Creek, Shaw’s Kiarsha Curtis, Virginia Union University’s Sherman Lea, Virgina State University’s Samantha Mackey Edwards, North Carolina Central University’s Kyle Serba, Winston-Salem State University’s Sharon Tanner and Fayetteville State University’s Inez Turner.

Arlene Creek | Bowie State University | Women’s Basketball | Coach
In a career that spans three decades, Arlene Creek has served as a dynamic student-athlete pre-Title IX, when female athletes would have “Play Day” followed by socials. Post-Title IX, Creek was very instrumental in starting competitive college women’s team programs at Bowie State College, now Bowie State University, and securing coaches including herself in the sports. Leading Bowie State into the Maryland Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women – Creek became President of the Women’s Recreation Association for two years where she was named Coach of the Year and won two straight basketball championships in 1978 and 1979. While employed at Prince George’s County Board of Education, Creek served as a teacher, guidance counselor, high school vice principal and supervisor of transportation. In total, Creek has over 40 plus years of experience in education. Creek holds a certification in teaching and guidance and counseling in the state of Maryland K-12.

Creek spent five years as the Deputy Director of Athletics, Intramurals and Recreation and Senior Woman Administrator. During her time at Bowie State, Creek has served in a plethora of positions, including interim Director of Athletics, Associate Athletic Director, Game Manager, and Athletics Facility Coordinator, athletics liaison to the department of Public Safety, head women’s basketball coach and athletics assets manager. She spearheaded the installation of turf field at Bulldog Stadium while completing the resurface of the basketball courts and bleacher replacement inside A.C. Jordan Arena as well as the renovation of the softball field at Bowie State.

A native of Edenborn, Pa., Creek received a degree in Health, Physical Education & Recreation from Bowie State in 1970 and a Master of Arts in Education from Virginia Polytech Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) 1981. During her years as a student with Bowie State, Creek received numerous awards in volleyball, field hockey, basketball and softball. As a freshman, she was selected as Freshman Female Athlete of the Year, and in 1978, she won the first championship for Bowie State College in women’s basketball.

Creek is a woman of many talents, she sang the National Anthem in 2007 for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field National Championship. Her memberships include the Association of Secondary School Administrators, Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association, Bowie State Sports Hall of Fame (2014), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Life Time Member of the Bowie State University National Alumni Association, Inc. 

Kiarsha Curtis | Shaw University | Women’s Basketball | Student-Athlete
Kiarsha Curtis left an ever-lasting impact on Shaw University’s women’s basketball program in her three years with the Bears. From 2003-2005, Curtis helped lead Shaw to three consecutive CIAA championships under legendary head coach Jaques Curtis. The team garnered a 91-8 overall record in that time and would go on to claim the South Atlantic Region title in 2005 as well.

Curtis’ list of accolades in her three years as a Bear is nothing short of remarkable, as she is a two-time All-CIAA selection (2004, 2005) and a two-time CIAA Tournament MVP (2004, 2005). She’s only one of three players in CIAA history to be named the tournament MVP more than once.

While she dominated within the conference, her ability to score and make a heavy impact extended into the NCAA tournament as well. In 2005, she was named the South Atlantic Regional MVP after leading Shaw over Carson-Newman, 67-53, to win the South Atlantic Regional and earn a berth to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals for the first time in school history, leading the game with 22 points. Individually, Curtis was a First Team Division II South Atlantic All-Region selection, and her team was the top-ranked squad entering the NCAA Division II quarterfinals after their regional title. Additionally, she was named a Second Team Daktronics All-American in ‘05 as well.

Once her time as Shaw was complete, her dominance led her to being 24th on the CIAA’s all-time scoring leaders along with being among Shaw’s all-time leading scorers. She shot 47% from the floor and 38% from behind the arc, contributing to nearly 1,400 points in her three years. She also was a force to be reckoned with on defense, grabbing 224 steals in her career as well.

Kyle Serba | North Carolina Central University | Administrator/Supporter
Kyle Serba has moved up the ranks in the sports administration world, stemming from a successful career as a CIAA Sports Information Director. Serba was a member of North Carolina Central’s administrative for an astounding 29 years, garnering many titles throughout that time. He joined the staff in August of 1994 and served as the school’s Sports Information Director, almost immediately making an impact with his presence.

In just his first 12 years in the conference, he’d go on to claim the prestigious Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) SID of the Year award four times (‘97, ‘99, ‘00, 06). Not only did he claim that title in 2006, but he was also enshrined into the NCCU Alex M. Rivera Athletics Hall of Fame due to his longevity and success in his time with the institution. His title would eventually progress to the Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs, as he oversaw strategic communications, marketing, corporate sponsorships, facilities, game operations, ticket operations, licensing and branding, NIL, letterwinners club, hall of fame and special events.

His time with the Eagles came to an end in 2023, and he has since moved on to Duke University, where he currently serves as the Executive Director of Communications.

Inez Turner | Fayetteville State University | Track and Field | Coach
Inez Turner’s tenure as head coach of Fayetteville State’s cross country and track & field programs has led to a multitude of awards and accolades, as she continues to lead the program today. Turner joined the CIAA 14 years ago and has led her teams to 24 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championships in that time. She initially got her start with Winston-Salem State, where she secured championships for both the men’s and women’s cross country programs including four for the women and one for the men. Additionally, the indoor track & field team won three championships, and the outdoor team won one championship under her leadership.

Since joining FSU, Coach Turner has led the Broncos to 15 CIAA championships across three different programs over the past eight years. The men’s cross-country team won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, while the women’s team has secured seven consecutive championships since she joined the staff in 2017. Additionally, the university won its first indoor championship title in 2020 and has continued to dominate since then, winning all subsequent indoor and outdoor championships.

For each of the 24 championships won, Coach Turner has been honored as the CIAA Coach of the Year. At FSU, she has coached 35 CIAA event champions and 14 NCAA All-Americans. The Broncos have seven CIAA Athletes of the Year and four Championship MVPs. She has over 28 All-Americans with WSSU as well. Her success in her tenure with the Broncos led to her being enshrined into the Fayetteville State University Hall of Fame in 2024.

Coach Turner has an extensive background in track and field with previous coaching positions at the New York Track Club and North Carolina A&T State University. During the summer of 2023, Inez Turner helped lead her native country of Jamaica’s U18 and U23 youth athletes to 32 North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletics Association (NACAC) Track & Field Championship medals in Costa Rica. She began a remarkable running career at Barton Community College where she achieved 16 National Junior College All-America honors. Turner still holds several school records at Barton. She won the 1993 Division I NJCAA Championship in the 800m run, setting a championship record that still stands. Turner also represented Jamaica in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and garnered numerous other accolades during her career. 

Sharon Tanner | Winston-Salem State University | Women’s Basketball | Student-Athlete
One of the most prolific rebounders of the basketball in Winston-Salem State University women’s basketball history, Sharon Tanner took the court for the Rams from 1984-1988 and made her mark on the program that still lasts today. 

Tanner joined the team as a freshman in 1984 but was far ahead of her years from the jump, making a huge impact on the program in just her first season. She helped lead the team to their first CIAA championship appearance in program history against Hampton University. Her performance throughout the ’84 season led to her being named the WSSU Freshman Player of the Year, as well as earning the Outstanding Freshman Award for the department. She continued to progress throughout her tenure there, hugely impact the team’s presence on the boards, as she’d go on to snag 1,072 rebounds in her career, a record that still stands today.

Since her time at Winston-Salem State University, Tanner has moved on to memberships in various professional/community organizations, including being a member of the WSSU Women’s Basketball Advisory Board, as well as N.C. Department of Revenue Leadership Excellence Program, and Friendship Baptist Church Wake Forest, NC., also serving as Women’s Prison Ministry Member, and Certified AAU Basketball Coach. 

Samantha Mackey Edwards | Virginia State University | Track and Field | Student-Athlete
Samantha Mackey dashed her way into the record books during her tenure at Virginia State University. Her long list of accolades are a testament to the impact she left on the Trojans’ athletics program.

In 2012, she had arguably one of her best years as a competitior as her success on the track led to her being named Outdoor USTFCAA Division II Atlantic Region Athlete of the Year. Additionally, she was selected to represent the CIAA as NCAA 2012 Woman of the Year. Her success culminated with her qualifying for the 2012 US Olympic Trials for Women’s Outdoor Track, on top of competing in the NCAA Division II Indoor Championships.

Mackey followed up her success with another strong year in 2013, which saw her win the NCAA Division II 2013 National Championship in the Women’s Outdoor 400m dash. She added on to that by receiving All-Region Honors for Outdoor Track in the Atlantic Region for the 400m dash.

Her success continued past her collegiate years, as she Participated in the 2016 Indoor World Championships in Portland, Oregon. She also received seven All-American Trophies in two years. She’s since been serving as a registered nurse, and in 2021, received the “Always Committed to Excellence” Award (ACE Award) on her Cardiac Care Unit.

Sherman Lea | Virginia Union University | Football | Student-Athlete
Sherman Lea played a major role in Virginia Union football’s championship run in 1973. The 1973 team finished 9-1 on the season, losing only to South Carolina State University, 12-0. The Panthers shut out six of their last seven opponents, including a school-record four consecutive shut outs. Lea was right at the front of the action, as he helped anchor the team’s offensive line as the team’s starting center.

Following a successful four years at VUU that spanned 1971-1975, Lea would eventually begin a lengthy career in law enforcement and politics that still stands today. In 1984, he was named Chief Probation and Parole Officer becoming the first African American to hold that position in Virginia and was later promoted to the Western Regional Director in 1992. Some of the various titles Lea has held throughout his career includes the Regional Director for Virginia Department of Corrections, served two terms on the Virginia parole board (appointed by Governors McAuliffe and Northam), and he also served five years on the Roanoke City School Board including one year as Chairman.

Once he progressed onto politics, Lea would find himself being elected to the Roanoke City Council in 2004. He’d hold this position for four years before continuing to move up the ranks, being elected as Vice Mayor in 2008. During his tenure, Mayor Lea has served as Chairperson of the Personnel Committee, and a member of the Audit and Legislative Committees. As a member of the City Council, Mayor Lea formed the Domestic Violence Task Force in 2005 and began the annual Lea Youth Outdoor Basketball League in 2015 and the Lea’s High School Winter Classic Basketball Challenge in 2015. In 2016, Lea was appointed Mayor of the city of Roanoke, and played a crucial role in getting the CIAA football championship moved to the Roanoke/Salem community, where it would occur from 2016-2024. 

About John B. McLendon, Jr. 
John B. McLendon, Jr. was a true pioneer in the field of athletics with a long list of remarkable achievements. McLendon was hired by Cleveland State University in 1966, becoming the first African-American head basketball coach at a predominantly white institution. Today, there are more than 250 African-American coaches at predominantly white institutions. McLendon left his coaching post at CSU in 1969, but would later return to the university in 1991 as an athletics department advisor, a position he held until his death in October 1999. During that span, McLendon taught a course on the role of minorities in sports, “History of Sports and the Role of Minorities in its Development.”

McLendon is the person responsible for the integration of college basketball. Throughout the years, he was the head basketball coach at North Carolina Central College (1940-52), Hampton Institute (1952-54), Tennessee State University (1954-59), Kentucky State University (1963-66) and Cleveland State University (1966-69).

As successful McLendon was as a coach, his administrative responsibilities were equally as impressive. While serving as the basketball coach at North Carolina Central, McLendon was also the athletics director, a post he held for 12 years. At Hampton, he had additional positions as the assistant director of athletics and physical education. At Tennessee State, McLendon was appointed director of basketball operations from 1954-59 and director of the department of health, physical education, recreation and athletics from 1962-63. However, it was his service on the National Athletic Steering Committee, which McLendon founded in 1949, which had a large impact on the integration of basketball, and eventually, all sports. McLendon also served as director of international promotions for Converse Inc. from 1969-89.

About the CIAA 
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. In 2020, the conference celebrates the special 75th anniversary of its Championship Basketball Tournament – an event that has become a must-see in the African American community. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019. 

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member-institutions: Bowie State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Saint Augustine’s University, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. Bluefield State will be added as the conference’s 13th full member, effective July 1, 2023. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.