Bowie State Celebrates 50 Years of CIAA Women's Basketball

Bowie State University Honors Arlene Creek’s Induction into CIAA Hall of Fame

MEDIA CONTACT: kalexander1@bowiestate.edu

(BOWIE, Md.) — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its women’s basketball championship tournament, marking a historic milestone in collegiate athletics. The tournament, taking place from Feb. 25 to March 1 at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, will highlight the achievements of female student-athletes who have helped shape the history of the game and inspire future generations. 

One of the distinguished honorees is Arlene Creek, a trailblazer in Bowie State University’s history of athletics. Creek, who currently serves as the Facilities Coordinator at Bowie State University, earned her degree in health, physical education and recreation from the school in 1980. As a freshman, she was named Freshman Female Athlete of the Year, and she later played a pivotal role in leading Bowie State to its first-ever CIAA women’s basketball championship in 1978, followed by a second title in 1979. 

Recognized for her lasting contributions to the sport, Creek was inducted into Bowie State’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. This year, she will receive another prestigious honor with her induction into the 2025 CIAA John B. McLendon Hall of Fame. The ceremony is set for Friday, Feb. 28, at 9 a.m. in the Baltimore Convention Center Ballroom. 

“Where I grew up, there weren’t any female sports,” said Creek. “If we got a chance to play, we had to play with the guys. Coming to Bowie State and having a female team was incredible because I love to play.” 

In alignment with its ongoing commitment to honoring the legacy of women in athletics, Bowie State University Athletics has embraced the theme #PaintingHERStory to honor the evolution of CIAA women’s basketball. Through this initiative, the university remains dedicated to recognizing the contributions of past and present female student-athletes, ensuring their impact continues to inspire generations to come. 

The CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, one of the longest-running collegiate basketball championships for women, stands as a testament to the resilience, determination and excellence of female athletes within the conference. This year’s milestone celebration will not only reflect on five decades of achievements but also set the stage for the future of women’s sports in the CIAA. 

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.