CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the nation's oldest historically Black athletic conference, has announced the 2023 John B. McLendon Hall of Fame Class and Bowie State's Allyson Dobbins is among this year's induction class.
 
The CIAA will recognize inductees for their excellence in the conference, significant contributions in the community, leadership within CIAA athletics, and commitment to the conference mission. This year's class, which features all women in honor of the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, includes Dobbins, Jessica Hawkins (Shaw University), Elorine Hill (Fayetteville State University), Barbara Pierre (St. Augustine's University) and the 1988 Hampton University Women's Basketball Team. 
 
Dobbins starred at Bowie State University from 2001-2005, where she was a four-year letterwinner, four-year starter, and two-time CIAA Player of the Year (2003 & 2005). Dobbins was also a two-time All-CIAA selection and a three-time selection to the All-CIAA Defensive Team. Dobbins was thrice named a Kodak Division II All-American (2003, 2004, & 2005). 

A 2015 inductee into Bowie State's Hall of Fame, Dobbins is the Bulldogs' all-time leading scorer with 2,107 points scored and she averaged 19.3 points per game (109 games played/105 starts). Dobbins once scored 50 points (20-of-34 field goals) against St. Augustine's in an opening-round game of the 2004 CIAA Basketball Tournament. In 2005, Dobbins averaged 22.8 points per game, second best in the conference and sixth best in NCAA Division II Basketball, while shooting 44-percent from the field and 86.4-percent from the free throw line. She topped 30 points six times that season. Dobbins ranks sixth all-time in CIAA history in points scored and her 478 assists and 359 steals also places her in the top 10 all-time. 

After graduation, Dobbins became just the second Division II player from an HBCU to play in a WNBA game. She would go on to play 12 seasons professionally across six countries in Europe. While playing overseas, Dobbins also found the time over the summer to hold free basketball camps for the youth at the Bowie Recreation Gymnasium. Currently, Dobbins is a coach with the Jr. Celtics, the youth basketball development program for the NBA's Boston Celtics. 

"In this Title IX 50th year of acknowledging the women and trailblazers who have advanced women in CIAA sports, it's an honor to recognize and celebrate the women of the class of 2023," said Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. "Each one of these recipients and their teams has made a significant impact in their respective sport. They have left a legacy and developed leaders who have also made significant impact in their communities as well. I salute you all, I could not be prouder, it is a privilege to share in this momentous occasion!" 
 
The 2023 John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame class will be officially inducted at the CIAA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Friday, February 24. The event will be a part of the week-long schedule of events encompassing the 2023 CIAA Basketball Tournament, being held February 21-25 in Baltimore, Maryland. Ticket packages and information about the induction ceremony are available on the John B. McLendon CIAA Hall of Fame page at www.theciaa.com, also at https://ciaatournament.org, or by clicking HERE.  
 
Since its inception in 1967, the CIAA Hall of Fame has enshrined 304 honorees. It was renamed after legendary coach and administrator John B. McLendon in 2000. A 1978 Hall of Fame inductee, McLendon is also credited as one of the founding fathers of the CIAA Basketball Tournament, which began in 1946. 

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