A History of Basketball Championships in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) boasts a rich and storied history, particularly in basketball. As the second-oldest historically Black college and university (HBCU) athletic conference, the SIAC has been a platform for talented athletes and coaches who have significantly impacted the sport. This article explores the history of the SIAC basketball championships, highlighting key moments, influential figures, and the conference's overall contribution to college basketball.

The Genesis of the SIAC

Founded on December 30, 1913, the SIAC, originally known as the Southeastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SEIAC), emerged from a meeting of representatives from several institutions, including Alabama State University, Atlanta University, Clark College, Fisk University, Jackson College, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, Talladega College, and Tuskegee Institute. The primary goal was to regulate intercollegiate athletics among Black colleges in the Southeast.

Only Clark Atlanta University (formerly Clark College) and Tuskegee University have maintained continuous membership since the conference's inception. Over the years, other institutions, such as Alabama A&M University, Allen University, Benedict College, Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Fisk University, Florida A&M University, Jackson State University, Knoxville College, Morris Brown College, Rust College, Savannah State University, South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, and Xavier University, have been part of the SIAC.

The SIAC is affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. While historically composed of southern HBCUs, the conference has expanded to include non-HBCUs like Spring Hill College (joined in 2014) and Central State University of Ohio (joined in 2015), as well as returning members like Savannah State University (2019), Allen University (2020), and Edward Waters University (2021).

Early Years and Key Figures

The SIAC's basketball legacy began to take shape in the early 20th century, with the inaugural SIAC basketball tournament championship held in 1934. Tuskegee University won the first title. During this era, several individuals emerged as pioneers in the conference.

Burwell Townsend Harvey, the first commissioner of the SIAC (1941-1965), played a crucial role in shaping the conference's athletic landscape. Before becoming commissioner, Harvey coached baseball, basketball, and football at Morehouse College from 1919 to 1929. His basketball teams achieved remarkable success, winning 131 games and securing 10 consecutive league titles.

Franklin Lafayette Forbes, a Morehouse College alumnus, served as the Chairman of Health and Physical Education for 39 years. He also coached baseball, football, tennis, track, and basketball. His contributions significantly expanded the influence of athletics at Morehouse College.

The Adams Era at Tuskegee

Ed Adams, a member of the 1934 Tuskegee squad that won the inaugural SIAC basketball tournament championship, later became a legendary coach. In 23 seasons at Tuskegee, Adams amassed 645 wins and an .811 winning percentage. He became the first Black basketball coach to win 500 games.

Mid-Century Dominance and Expansion

The mid-20th century saw the rise of other influential figures and programs within the SIAC. John Chaney, who later gained fame as the head coach at Temple University, began his basketball career at Bethune-Cookman. He scored over 3,500 points and led the Wildcats to an SIAC Championship in the late 1950s.

During this period, the SIAC also navigated critical decisions regarding its affiliation with national bodies like the NCAA and the NAIA. W.S.M. Banks II, as conference president from 1964 to 1966, guided the membership through these discussions.

The Hobson Years and Ethical Conduct

George H. Hobson served as the commissioner of the SIAC from 1971 to 1982. He worked to enhance the credibility of the conference and increase efficiency in matters of ethical conduct and eligibility. Hobson's athletic career began at Alabama State, where he was a star athlete and captain of the football team.

The Davis Era and Academic Contributions

Dr. Howard Davis served as commissioner from 1983 to 1988. He was also the director of athletics at Tuskegee University. Dr. Davis made outstanding contributions to physical education and athletics. He authored numerous research studies, articles, and books.

Continued Growth and Noteworthy Coaches

The SIAC continued to evolve, with coaches like Lonnie Bartley of Fort Valley State becoming the all-time winningest Black college women's basketball coach in 2012.

J.E. Hawkins, who served as assistant commissioner for many years, became commissioner from 1989-1990. His dedication to the conference was instrumental in its growth.

The Wallace Era and Full-Time Leadership

From 1990 to 2000, Wallace served as the first full-time Commissioner for the SIAC. His leadership paved the way for the Division II conference housing HBCUs from across the South.

Read also: Top HBCU Bands

The Vowels Era and Expansion

Robert Vowels, commissioner from 2001-03, oversaw the expansion of the conference to 11 institutions and negotiated the first multi-year SIAC football and basketball television agreement.

Recent Champions and Standout Performances

In recent years, Savannah State has emerged as a dominant force in SIAC men's basketball. The Tigers claimed their second SIAC men’s basketball championship since 2022 with a 67-66 win over Tuskegee in 2025. Javonte Landy's game-winning free throw secured the victory. Savannah State ended the tournament on an eight-game winning streak, improving to 18-11. Plain and Austin Lewis secured two conference tournament rings from 2022 and 2025. Savannah State has also won SIAC titles in 1970, 1979, 1980, and 1981.

The 2025 championship run saw Savannah State overcome teams that had defeated them during the regular season, including Spring Hill, Miles, and Central State. Qua King was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The SIAC's Impact Beyond Basketball

The SIAC's influence extends beyond basketball. The conference has produced athletes who have excelled in various sports and made significant contributions to society.

Alice Coachman became the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal in 1948. Althea Gibson competed in the SIAC. Donn Clendenon was named the MVP of the 1969 World Series. Andre Dawson was inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.

The SIAC Today

The SIAC currently sponsors 14 sports, eight for men and six for women. Golf returned as a conference sport in 2008. The first SIAC Intercollegiate Golf Championship was held at Tuskegee in 1938.

The conference continues to evolve, with institutions like Miles College achieving unprecedented athletic success under the leadership of President Dr. Bobbie Knight. Miles College's athletic programs have won numerous championships, with the baseball program capturing the 2025 Black College World Series title and the golf team winning the 2024 SIAC Championship.

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