John Aman, a Nationwide Insurance Co. vice president, came to last year’s CIAA tournament scouting for sponsorship opportunities. He left pumped and ready for more.

“The energy level was fantastic,” he recalled at a Thursday press conference. “It’s a cross between sports entertainment and revival.”

Nationwide went on to ink a multi-year sponsorship deal, he said.

That’s the kind of reaction tournament officials hope to generate again this year, said CIAA Commissioner Leon Kerry.

“We realized that even in these economic times, everybody has a basketball tournament,” he said. “But it has to be exciting.”

The star power is lining up:

• R&B singers Chrisette Michele and Monroe native Calvin Richardson. And don’t forget the old-school group the Miracles.
• Gospel artist Yolanda Adams headlines the Gospel Soulabration.
• Steve Harvey will broadcast his morning show live on Feb. 27. Mo’Nique will follow later that afternoon.
• New York’s Deejay Funk Master Flash will be here, along with 25 tricked-out cars, on Friday and Saturday.
• Television actors/personalities will include Hill Harper of CSI: New York; Terrance J. of BET’s 106 and the Park; and Jeff Johnson of BET’s The Truth with Jeff Johnson.
• Celebrity chefs B. Smith and G. Garvin.

Organizers are promising something for everyone.

There’s High School Day for potential college students, Greek Appreciation Night for fraternities and sororities, a Women’s Appreciation Party for ladies, even a career fair for job seekers.

Foodies can hit the food-preparation exhibits while the health conscious can try the UNCF 5-K Walk/Run or the Women’s Health & Wellness Symposium.

And, yes, there’s basketball. Tournament organizers are offering ticket deals as low as $4.54 a game for adults and half that price for students, depending on the number of games you attend.

Mike Crum, chief operating officer  of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, noted that Charlotte draws some large conventions, but none has the family reunion feel of the CIAA.

The tournament last year drew nearly 200,000 people and pumped $30 million into the region’s economy.

Crum said the event is the nation’s fifth-largest basketball tournament, though the 11 schools that make up the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association have small- to medium-sized student enrollments.

“While you never know, the indicators that we look to are all saying that we’re on pace,” he said. “Just the other day I heard that the Hilton was almost 95 percent full. We’ve got to continue to work hard to make sure that everybody realizes the value of what we have.”

For a complete schedule of events, go to www.ciaatournament.org.

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