Virginia Union University has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) football championship, as announced Wednesday during the 2026 CIAA Football Media Day in Durham, N.C.
The Panthers claimed the top spot in the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association (SIDA) Predicted Order of Finish, edging defending CIAA Football Champion Johnson C. Smith University. Fayetteville State University was picked third, followed by Virginia State University.
Virginia Union also placed one student-athlete on the 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Team as Zyaire Tart earned recognition as the conference's preseason punt returner. The senior from Camden, N.J., returned 15 punts for 285 yards during the 2025 season, providing the Panthers with a consistent big-play threat on special teams.
Representing Virginia Union during the media day festivities were Head Coach Dr. Alvin Parker, redshirt senior offensive lineman Christian Solomon (Hammonton, N.J.), and redshirt senior linebacker Ahmad Ross (Bridgeton, N.J.), who joined Parker on stage during the event's interview session.
Parker believes the Panthers' postseason experience gives the program a unique advantage entering the 2026 campaign.

"One thing we can say about every returning player on our roster is that they've all experienced postseason football," Parker said. "From my seniors down to my sophomores, every one of them has played in a CIAA Championship Game and an NCAA Playoff Game. That's a rare level of experience to have across an entire roster.
"We've always approached this program with a team-first mentality, and those accomplishments are the result of good teams. I believe we've put together another good team here on Lombardy Street."

Virginia Union enters the season after another successful campaign that saw the Panthers continue their run as one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II football.
2026 CIAA Football Predicted Order of Finish

1. Virginia Union University
2. Johnson C. Smith University
3. Fayetteville State University
4. Virginia State University
5. Winston-Salem State University
6. Livingstone College
7. Elizabeth City State University
8. Bowie State University
9. Bluefield State University
10. Shaw University
11. Lincoln University (Pa.)

The Panthers will open the 2026 season on Friday, Aug. 28, traveling to Hickory, N.C., to face Lenoir-Rhyne University. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. as Virginia Union begins its quest for another CIAA championship and NCAA Division II playoff appearance.