Virginia State University celebrates CIAA Championship success

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Virginia State University (VSU) Trojans are celebrating impressive performances at the CIAA tournament in Baltimore.

The men's basketball team secured its first conference title since 2019. Head coach Lonnie Blow Jr. said his team's hard work and determination played off.

"It's a good to be a Trojan, so we're happy about it," Blow said. "The adversity we went through in the season made us tougher. We started off slow... we had a winning streak... then we lost three in a row. The mental toughness showed a lot as the season went on."

The Trojans finished the season with a 21-8 record, but, with the conference title under their belts, they head to the NCAA DII championship next.

"Keep working hard, stay grounded, stay level headed," Blow said.

The VSU women's basketball team also had success in the tournament. Led by Head Coach Nadine Domond, who was named CIAA Women's Coach of the Year, the lady Trojans secured the first runner up spot.

"Blessed," Domond said when asked about the honor. "The opportunity to coach some amazing ladies and use this platform to not just teach basketball but transfer to life."

"We just got to take it one thing at a time and be the best version of ourselves every day," she added.

Off the court, the VSU All-Star Step team was crowned the CIAA Step Show champs and awarded $7,000 in prize money. And, the WooWoo cheerleaders also won first place in the cheerleading exhibition.

The teams were celebrated with a pep rally on Thursday, March 6, filled with cheers, music, chants and applause from students, staff and alum.

The basketball teams will find out who they play in the NCAA tournament on Sunday, March 9.