Virginia Union’s season now hinges upon luck

Virginia Union wasn't good enough against Elizabeth City State to earn a berth in Saturday's CIAA championship game in Durham, N.C. But the Panthers might still be lucky enough.

The CIAA will conduct a three-way coin-toss tiebreaker this afternoon at 1 at the league office in Hampton.

Athletic directors from VUU (Michael Bailey, who also is VUU's football coach), Elizabeth City State (Thurlis Little) and Bowie State (Arlene Creek) will represent their respective schools.

Three coins will be tossed simultaneously, one by each of the three athletic directors. The first school to produce a result different from the other two will represent the East in the CIAA championship game. For example: If Virginia Union tosses heads while Bowie State and Elizabeth City State toss tails, VUU will advance. If all three toss the same, they will do it again until there is a winner.

A CIAA spokesman said the accounting firm of Cavanaugh & Nelson, PC will oversee the tiebreaker.

The coin toss became necessary when Elizabeth City State defeated Virginia Union 21-13 and Virginia State upset Bowie State 14-12 yesterday. VUU, Elizabeth City State and Bowie State have 5-2 records in the CIAA's Eastern Division. Moreover, each is 2-1 against three common opponents: Lincoln, Saint Paul's and Virginia State.

The coin toss will be streamed live on http://www.livestream.com/CIAA.

Fayetteville State already has secured the Western Division title. The championship game will be played at Durham County Stadium. -- Vic Dorr Jr.