The CIAA inducted former Virginia Union University President Allix B. James, former VUU Athletic Director James Battle and former men's basketball player Ben Wallace into the CIAA Hall of Fame on Friday, February 27, in Charlotte, N.C.

Dr. Allix B. James (Administrator/Supporter) - Dr. Allix Bledsoe James graduated from Virginia Union University in 1944 and returned in 1947 as a bible instructor. He was promoted to Dean of Students and then Dean of the Graduate School of Religion. In 1970, he was called upon from his vice-president's role to lead the university. As the seventh president, he oversaw many accomplishments, including the establishment of a vigorous corporate gift program. The gifts allowed renovations to campus facilities among other things. The old Department of Commerce was upgraded and named the Sydney Lewis School of Business Administration, achieving full accreditation in the process. The Community Learning Week was established as a city-wide celebration after beginning as a university holiday to mark the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. James instituted the music program at VUU and the university band was organized. He also hired two coaches that have served as a staple in the CIAA history books; Dave Robbins, the first non-African American to coach in the CIAA, and Willard Bailey. Robbins led the Panthers to three national championships, won 14 CIAA championships and garnered 21 NCAA tournament appearances. Bailey became the winningest coach in CIAA football history and captured seven conference titles. Dr. Allix B. James retired from his post prior to his tenth year as President. With an additional 14 years as a professor after his retirement, Dr. James committed 46 years of making a difference to his alma mater and the CIAA.

James Battle (Administrator/Supporter) – James Battle, former athletic director of Virginia Union University, served the CIAA for 22 years. The 1965 graduate of Fayetteville State University joined Dave Robbins' basketball staff at Virginia Union in 1979. The Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient became the Panthers athletics director in 1985. Under Battle's leadership, Virginia Union's football program captured three CIAA titles while the now legendary Dave Robbins' men's basketball programs won eight. During this time, the Panthers won four consecutive basketball crowns (1992-1995). The 1992 team outrivaled the competition and won the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship.

Ben Wallace (Student-Athlete) – Ben Wallace played his last two years of collegiate basketball at Virginia Union University from 1994-1996. Mentored by Charles Oakley, Wallace made an immediate impact on the Panthers squad with an average of 13.4 points per game and 10.0 rebounds per game. He led VUU to the NCAA Division II Final Four with a 28-3 record. As a senior, he was selected as a Division II First Team All American by the NABC. Ben Wallace still holds the school record with 114 blocks in a single season. He was named to the CIAA 60th Anniversary All-Tournament Team in 2005. He joined the NBA ranks in 1996 and appeared in 34 games for the Washington Bullets (Wizards). After being traded to the Orlando Magic in 1999, he solidified his role as a starter and made the lineup in all 81 games that he appeared in. After his trade to the Detroit Pistons in 2001, his stardom continued to rise as did the Pistons when they were crowned the NBA Champions in 2004. After the 2006 season with Detroit, Wallace had stints with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to the Pistons. On February 14, 2012, he appeared in his 1,055th game, surpassing the record held by Avery Johnson for the most games by an undrafted player. In addition to the NBA title, Ben Wallace was a four-time NBA All-Star and NBA Defensive Player of the Year, six-time All-NBA Defensive Team and five-time All-NBA Team.