CIAA Championship draws big crowds, ‘massive’ economic impact for Durham

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — Thousands of people packed Durham County Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the CIAA championship, which returned to Durham for the first time in a decade.

“This should be a wake-up to Durham, Raleigh, and any surrounding area to try to get to see CIAA back. It’s going to help businesses,” said Stephenie Baldwin, a Johnson C. Smith University alum originally from the Triangle who traveled in from Charlotte.

Johnson C. Smith defeated Virginia Union 45-21 to claim its first CIAA Championship since 1969.

Durham Mayor Leo Williams is hopeful that Saturday’s success can help attract future events.

“We want to have a strong community, want to have a vibrant economy. We want to keep our buses fare-free,” Williams said. “We want to make sure we have more money to support and supplement affordable housing. We have to generate that revenue, and this is how we do it.”

Last year, the Durham Sports Commission had an economic impact of just more than $14 million, a figure that could rise as the city hosts more games.

“I think it’s going to be great, from the hotel combination stays, restaurants, I’m definitely supporting the local Uber drivers getting to and from places,” said Peter Holman, a Johnson C. Smith alum. Holman said he is also in Durham for an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. conference.

“First, the city was somewhere you could stay; it was comfortable. But now it’s actually somewhere you come and visit. And Durham is a staple,” added Billy Dupree, originally from Durham and the junior class president at Johnson C. Smith.

Donald Mercer with Favor Desserts was one of several businesses stationed in and around the stadium, capitalizing on the large crowds.

“I’m glad they’re back here, because they can enjoy the taste of the sweet treats we have out here for everybody and bring a lot of activity to Durham as well,” said Mercer.

The mayor said visitors are important for the Bull City.

“When I talk about large event facilities like a convention center or a stadium, or sportsplex, the reason why I’m talking about that is because locals spend money about once every other month at an establishment. Visitors spend money every night. This is a massive economic impact for us,” the mayor said. “Both teams are coming into Durham from other cities far away to the point where they need a hotel room. And so our hotels are sold out. When they leave the hotel, they’re shopping at stores locally. They are buying food at our restaurants. They are spending money.