CAA Renames Itself To Coastal Athletic Association

The CAA has changed its name from the Colonial Athletic Association to the Coastal Athletic Association. The conference will still be referred to as the CAA and there will be no change to the CAA logo.

The CAA’s Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said in a statement, “The Conference’s new name represents a culmination of its efforts over the past three years to expand its membership, solidify its geographic footprint and affirm its long-standing mission through a new vision statement which emphasizes that CAA institutions work together to advance nationally competitive college athletic programs – coupled with outstanding academic programs – that empower student athletes as whole persons who strive at the highest level in every aspect of their lives. Our new name is reflective of the Conference’s continuity and unity, as well as each institutions’ commitment to be United in Excellence.”

The CAA began in 1979 when it was called the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and only basketball was the lone sport. In 1985, it became known as the Colonial Athletic Association after adding numerous championships in other sports. Football was added to the list of sponsored sports in 2007 when the Atlantic 10 ceased sponsoring football and was essentially taken over by the CAA. The inaugural CAA season had 12 programs compete: Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northeastern, Rhode Island, Richmond, Towson, Villanova, and William & Mary.

The first three seasons of CAA football featured those 12 teams but that turned into 10 when Hofstra and Northeastern dropped the sport following the 2009 season. Old Dominion joined in 2011 to make it 11 teams and the 2012 season saw the same except UMass left for the FBS and Georgia State joined briefly. Both Georgia State and Old Dominion left the CAA after the 2012 season to join the FBS but they were replaced with Albany and Stony Brook. The CAA reached 12 teams again in 2014 when Elon joined.

All was quiet in the CAA from 2014 through the 2021 season with no new teams or departures. Then the latest realignment moves happened and the CAA expanded again. In 2022, James Madison left for the FBS but the CAA had a net gain of one team with the arrivals of Hampton and Monmouth. For 2023, two more schools will join the CAA as Campbell and North Carolina A&T will make it 15 football members for the conference.

The 15 schools that will compete in football for the CAA are Albany, Campbell, Delaware, Elon, Hampton, Maine, Monmouth, New Hampshire, North Carolina A&T, Rhode Island, Richmond, Stony Brook, Towson, Villanova, and William & Mary.

Photo courtesy of the CAA