Charles Holston Williams is credited with being one of the original founders of the present Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Williams and his colleagues from Shaw, Lincoln, Virginia Union, and Howard University put together the CIAA, which was the Black Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1912. Williams did more than help the CIAA get off the ground and at one time the 1909 Hampton Institute graduate held every executive position or administrative position in the conference.
Williams was an outstanding scholar and athlete in his time, specializing in football, baseball and basketball. Following his graduation from college, Hampton Institute hired him as its athletic director and he held this position until his retirement in 1951. Williams was also a pitcher and outfielder on the 1908 and 1909 baseball teams. He coached football, basketball and wrestling at Hampton Institute and his teams won the CIAA championships in each sport.
Williams authored several books and was inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 1975, two years after his death.