Marines connect with CIAA community

Photo By Cpl. Naomi May | U.S. Rep. Alma Adams shakes hands with Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner, the Marine Corps Systems Command sergeant major, at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association President’s Reception, during the CIAA 2019 basketball tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, March 1, 2019. The Marine Corps has partnered with CIAA for the past 19 years to connect with a diverse community and share opportunities available within the Corps. The CIAA is America’s oldest African-American athletic conference, primarily composed of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The CIAA is America’s oldest African-American athletic conference, primarily composed of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (Marine photo by Cpl. Naomi May)  

CHARLOTTE, NC, UNITED STATES

03.01.2019

Story by Cpl. Naomi May 

Marine Corps Recruiting Command           

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — U.S. Marines attended the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association 2019 Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, February 25 through March 2, 2019.
For the past 19 years, the Marine Corps has partnered with CIAA to invest in a diverse and representative community, to share opportunities available within the Corps and to educate on their core values of honor, courage and commitment.
“[The CIAA] correlates so well with the Marine Corps,” said Sgt. Maj. Robin Fortner, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Systems Command. “Watching how the athletes win those games or how they come together as a team — teamwork is what we pride ourselves on as well. It’s not just about you; it’s about a larger picture that’s bigger than just you.”
The CIAA is America’s oldest African-American athletic conference, primarily composed of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The conference hosts 16 championships per year and attracts over 190,000 spectators at their annual basketball tournament alone.
This year, Marines branched into the Queens City area for a tip off breakfast and award ceremony, a Food Lion reception, a CIAA high school education day, a women’s empowerment luncheon and a president’s reception.
During the tip off breakfast, Capt. George Custodio, the executive officer of Recruiting Station Charlotte, presented the men’s and women’s coach of the year awards on behalf of the Marine Corps. Shadae Swan, the head coach of women’s basketball at Bowie State University in Bowie, Maryland, received the woman’s coach of the year award. Darrell Brooks, the head coach of men’s basketball at Bowie State University, was honored as the men’s coach of the year.
“Having [the Marines] here at this event is a great advantage for us,” Brooks said. “We just get to feel the leadership oozing out.”
At the high school education day, Capt. Custodio addressed approximately 4,000 students to offer the Marine Corps as a career path, specifically seeking those with the determination and aspiration to join the armed forces.
“If you’re a problem solver, if you’re someone who stands out in a group, someone who won’t take no for an answer, we want you,” Custodio said to the students.
Marine recruiters and leaders also connected with Jacquie McWilliams, the chancellor of CIAA, presidents of CIAA, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, Gov. Roy Cooper, student athletes competing in the CIAA, businessmen and women, and community leaders.
The Marine Corps Recruiting Command’s partnership with the CIAA and their attendance at the events throughout the week and over the years ultimately fulfilled their intended purpose — to improve diversity representation within the Marine Corps and to re-invigorate connectedness with the American people.
“The youth is the future, so what we out into our youth will reap benefits in the future,” Fortner said. “We’re not just here to wear a uniform. We care about what [the athletes] do. We care about what they will contribute to the country.”

• Date Taken: 03.01.2019
• Date Posted: 03.02.2019 07:48
• Story ID: 312598
• Location: CHARLOTTE, NC, US