It's no secret that CIAA football had no respect on the national level.
But that could all change now that Winston-Salem State has matched the conference's all-time victories total in playoff games, reached the semifinals of the Division II playoffs and has risen to No. 3 in the coaches' poll.
Before this season, the CIAA was 2-27 in the playoffs since 1978. The Rams were 2-1 in this season's playoffs, losing to Wayne State 21-14 in Saturday's semifinals.
Coach Waverly Tillar of Elizabeth City State, who serves on the Division II championship committee, saw all three of WSSU's playoff games, and said he expects a boost from the Rams' run. Tillar's team also made the postseason but lost to California (Pa.) in the first round. This season was the first since 2006 that the CIAA sent two teams to the 24-team playoffs.
"It really does speak volumes for the CIAA," Tillar said. "Winston-Salem State being the region winner and getting recognized nationally is a big thing. It's every coach's dream, and now Winston has paved the way, and the message is that the CIAA can do it."
Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU waved the CIAA flag at every opportunity during the playoffs and pointed out before the loss Saturday that WSSU's only losses in his two seasons had been to CIAA teams (both in 2010).
The Rams, trying to become the first CIAA team to reach the title game, matched WSSU's 1978 team by reaching the semifinals, but the '78 Rams did it in an eight-team field.
"It's the highlight of the entire season, and the conference will get behind this," Tiller said of the impact the Rams will make. "The (CIAA) schools will elevate their programs and try to keep up, and that's a good thing. We had two teams in the playoffs, and that's a big deal. And with one going to the semifinals, that's even better."
Peggy Davis, the athletics director at Virginia State who was named interim commissioner of the CIAA last week, also attended Saturday's playoff game.
"It's very big for the conference, especially during this time as it celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the CIAA being formed," Davis said of WSSU's play. "I think it definitely sets the bar high, and Winston-Salem State certainly deserves the recognition for their great run this season."
Darrell Asberry, who has coached Shaw to three CIAA titles in his six seasons, said in seasons past, CIAA teams with solid records were overlooked for the playoffs. Now, he's hoping WSSU's success will change that.
"I'm very proud of what coach Maynor and his staff did because they did an excellent job and went undefeated in the conference and that's not easy to do," Asberry said. "They left no doubt that they were a playoff team and when they did get in, they did some damage.
"I think folks need to know we play some good football in our conference, and Winston has showed that this season, and they had a tremendous year."
WSSU's second-round win against California (Pa.) broke the CIAA's nine-game losing streak in the playoffs.
"Coach Maynor's set the bar high," Asberry said, "so it's up to my team and the rest of the schools to catch up."
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