Colonial Athletic Association

Colonial Athletic Association
(CAA)
Established 1979
Association NCAA
Division Division I FCS
Members 10
Sports fielded 21 (men's: 10; women's: 11)
Region East Coast
Former names ECAC South
Headquarters Richmond, Virginia
Commissioner Joe D’Antonio (since 2016)
Website www.caasports.com
Locations

The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to South Carolina. Most of its members are public universities, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond. The CAA was historically a Southern conference until the addition of five northeastern schools (all five from rival conference America East) after the turn of the 21st century, which added balance to the conference.

The CAA was founded in 1979 as the ECAC South basketball league. It was renamed the Colonial Athletic Association in 1985 when it added championships in other sports (although a number of members maintain ECAC affiliation in some sports). As of 2006, it organizes championships in 21 men's and women's sports. The addition of Northeastern University in 2005 gave the conference the NCAA minimum of six football programs needed to sponsor football. For the 2007 football season, all of the Atlantic 10 Conference's football programs joined the CAA football conference, as agreed upon in May 2005.

History

Logo used until 2013.

The CAA has expanded in recent years, following the exits of longtime members such as the United States Naval Academy, the University of Richmond, East Carolina University, and American University. In 2001, the six-member conference added four additional universities: Towson University, Drexel University, Hofstra University, and the University of Delaware. Four years later the league expanded again when Georgia State University and Northeastern University joined, further enlarging the conference footprint. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) left for the Atlantic 10 Conference in July 2012.[1] More changes came in 2013: Old Dominion University left for Conference USA,[2] Georgia State joined the Sun Belt Conference,[3] and the College of Charleston joined the CAA from the Southern Conference.[4]

On the playing field, the CAA has produced 16 national team champions in five different sports (the most recent being the Villanova Wildcats who won the 2009 Division I FCS football championship), 33 individual national champions, 11 national coaches of the year, 11 national players of the year and 12 Honda Award winners. In 2006, George Mason became the first CAA team to reach the Final Four. In 2011, the VCU Rams became the second CAA team to reach the Final Four, as well as the first team to win five games en route, due to their participation in the First Four round.

On March 25, 2013, George Mason University left the CAA to join the Atlantic-10 Conference.[5] Shortly after, the CAA ceased sponsorship of wrestling due to the lack of teams.

The 2015–16 basketball season saw the conference RPI reach its highest rating when it finished the season ranked 9th in the nation.

Commissioners

Name Years Notes
Tom Yeager 1979–2016 Retired July 1, 2016
Joe D’Antonio 2016– July 1, 2016

Member schools

Full members

Current full members

Institution Location Founded Joined Type Enrollment Nickname Colors
College of Charleston Charleston, South Carolina 1770 2013 Public 11,942 Cougars               
University of Delaware Newark, Delaware 1743 2001 Private/Public 21,856 Fightin' Blue Hens          
Drexel University Philadelphia 1891 2001 Private 26,359 Dragons          
Elon University Elon, North Carolina 1889 2014 Private 6,305 Phoenix          
Hofstra University Hempstead, New York 1935 2001 Private 11,032 Pride               
James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia 1908 1979 Public 20,855 Dukes          
Northeastern University Boston 1898 2005 Private 20,034 Huskies          
Towson University Towson, Maryland 1866 1979‡
2001
Public
(University System of Maryland)
22,285 Tigers          
UNC Wilmington Wilmington, North Carolina 1947 1984 Public
(University of North Carolina)
16,000 Seahawks               
College of William & Mary Williamsburg, Virginia 1693 1979 Public 8,376 Tribe          
Notes

‡ – Towson joined the league as a charter member in 1979, left in 1981 to join the ECAC-Metro Conference, and re-joined the CAA in 2001.

Former full members

Institution Location Founded Joined Left Type Enrollment Nickname Colors Current
Conference
American University Washington, D.C. 1893 1984 2001 Private
(United Methodist Church)
12,006 Eagles           Patriot
University of Baltimore Baltimore 1925 1979 1981 Public
(University System of Maryland)
6,526 Super Bees     [6] Ceased athletics operations in 1983.
The Catholic University of America Washington, D.C. 1887 1979 1981 Private
(Roman CatholicPontifical)
6,725 Cardinals           Landmark
(NCAA Division III)
East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina 1907 1981 2001 Public
(University of North Carolina)
27,511 Pirates           The American
George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia 1957 1979 2013 Public 23,917 Patriots           Atlantic 10
Georgia State University Atlanta 1913 2005 2013 Public
(University System of Georgia)
32,087 Panthers                Sun Belt
United States Naval Academy Annapolis, Maryland 1845 1979 1991 US Service Academy 4,756 Midshipmen           Patriot
Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia 1930 1979
1991
1982
2013
Public 24,670 Monarchs           C-USA
University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia 1830 1979 2001 Private 4,180 Spiders           Atlantic 10
Saint Francis University Loretto, Pennsylvania 1847 1979 1981 Private
(Roman CatholicFranciscan)
2,347 Red Flash           Northeast
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia 1838 1995 2012 Public 31,163 Rams           Atlantic 10

Associate members

Current associate members

Institution Location Founded Joined Type Enrollment Nickname Primary
Conference
Sport(s)
University at Albany Albany, New York 1844 2013 Public
(State University of New York)
17,500 Great Danes America East football
The State University of New York at Buffalo Buffalo, New York 1846 2008 Public
(State University of New York)
29,994 Bulls Mid-American women's rowing
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan 1849 2012 Public 23,419 Eagles Mid-American women's rowing
Fairfield University Fairfield, Connecticut 1942 2014 Private
(Roman CatholicJesuit)
4,991 Stags MAAC men's lacrosse
University of Maine Orono, Maine 1865 2007 Public 11,247 Black Bears America East football
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts 1863 2009 Public 28,635 Minutemen Atlantic 10 men's lacrosse
University of New Hampshire Durham, New Hampshire 1866 2007 Public
(University System of New Hampshire)
14,761 Wildcats America East football
University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island 1892 2007 Public 16,795 Rams Atlantic 10 football
University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia 1830 2007 Private 4,180 Spiders Atlantic 10 football
Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York 1957 2013 Public
(State University of New York)
24,607 Seawolves America East football
Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania
(31,531 – Radnor Township)
1842 2007 (football)
2015 (rowing)
Private
(Roman CatholicAugustinian)
10,735 Wildcats Big East football, women's rowing

Former associate members

Institution Location Founded Joined Left Type Enrollment Nickname Current
Conference
Sport(s)
Binghamton University Vestal, New York 1946 2001 2013 Public 16,695 Bearcats America East[fa 1] wrestling
Boston College Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 1842 2001 2002 Private
(Roman CatholicJesuit)
14,359 Eagles ACC[fa 2] wrestling
Boston University Boston 1839 2001wr.,
2011w.row.
2013wr.,
2013w.row.
Private 33,421 Terriers Patriot[fa 3] wrestling,
rowing (w)
Campbell University Buies Creek, North Carolina 1887 1996 2008 Private
(Baptist)
6,000 Fighting Camels Big South[fa 4] wrestling
University of Dayton Dayton, Ohio 1850 2002 2014 Private
(Roman CatholicMarianist)
11,074 Flyers Atlantic 10[fa 5] women's golf
Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia
(75,568)
1971 1991 1994 Private
(Baptist)
14,500 Flames Big South[fa 6] wrestling
Loyola University Maryland Baltimore 1852 2001 2002 Private
(Roman CatholicJesuit)
5,587 Greyhounds Patriot[fa 2] men's lacrosse
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts 1863 2007 2012 Public 28,635 Minutemen Atlantic 10[fa 7] football
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina 1891 1994 1996 Public 16,126 Spartans SoCon[fa 8] wrestling
Penn State University University Park, Pennsylvania 1855 2009 2014 Public
(State-related)
45,518 Nittany Lions Big Ten[fa 2] men's lacrosse
University of Richmond Richmond, Virginia 1830 2002 2014 Private 4,180 Spiders Atlantic 10[fa 9] women's golf
Rider University Lawrenceville, New Jersey 1865 2001 2013 Private 5,400 Broncs MAAC[fa 10] wrestling
Robert Morris University Moon Township, Pennsylvania 1921 2001 2009 Private 5,181 Colonials Northeast[fa 2] Men's lacrosse
Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut 1963 2001wr.,
2005m.lax.
2010wr.,
2009m.lax.
Private
(Roman CatholicDiocesan)
7,016 Pioneers Northeast[fa 11] men's lacrosse,
wrestling
Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1851 2010 2013 Private
(Roman CatholicJesuit)
9,025 Hawks Atlantic 10[fa 12] men's lacrosse
Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania
(31,531 – Radnor Township)
1842 2001 2009 Private
(Roman CatholicAugustinian)
10,735 Wildcats Big East[fa 13] men's lacrosse
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia 1872 1992 1998 Public 31,224 Hokies ACC[fa 2] wrestling
Wagner College Staten Island, New York 1883 2001 2007 Private
(LutheranELCA)
2,500 Seahawks Northeast[fa 14] wrestling
Xavier University Cincinnati 1831 2002 2013 Private
(Roman CatholicJesuit)
6,650 Musketeers Big East[fa 2] women's golf
Notes
  1. Binghamton wrestling now competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 This school's current primary conference sponsors its former CAA sport.
  3. Boston University dropped wrestling after the 2013–14 school year. Its current primary conference, the Patriot League, sponsors women's rowing.
  4. Campbell's wrestling team now competes in the Southern Conference.
  5. Dayton women's golf now competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
  6. Liberty dropped wrestling after the 2010–11 school year.
  7. Effective with the 2016 season, UMass football competes as an FBS independent.
  8. UNC Greensboro dropped wrestling after the 2010–11 school year.
  9. Richmond women's golf now competes in the Patriot League.
  10. Rider wrestling now competes in the Eastern Wrestling League.
  11. Sacred Heart men's lacrosse competes in the school's all-sports home of the Northeast Conference. The wrestling team now competes in the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association.
  12. Saint Joseph's men's lacrosse now competes in the Northeast Conference.
  13. Villanova men's lacrosse left the CAA once the Big East began sponsoring the sport in the 2009–10 school year. Villanova football remains in the CAA to this day, and the school joined CAA women's rowing with the 2015–16 school year.
  14. Wagner dropped wrestling after the 2008–09 school year.

Membership timeline

Fairfield University Elon University College of Charleston Stony Brook University University at Albany, SUNY Eastern Michigan University Saint Joseph's University Pennsylvania State University University at Buffalo, The State University of New York University of Rhode Island University of New Hampshire University of Massachusetts Amherst University of Maine Robert Morris University Northeastern University Sun Belt Conference Georgia State University University of Dayton Xavier University Rider University Villanova University Binghamton University Sacred Heart University Loyola University Maryland Boston College Hofstra University Drexel University University of Delaware Boston University Atlantic 10 Conference Virginia Commonwealth University University of North Carolina at Wilmington Patriot League American University Conference USA East Carolina University College of William & Mary Atlantic 10 Conference University of Richmond James Madison University Atlantic 10 Conference George Mason University Patriot League United States Naval Academy Conference USA Sun Belt Conference Old Dominion University America East Conference Big South Conference East Coast Conference (Division I) Northeast Conference Towson University Northeast Conference Saint Francis University Landmark Conference Capital Athletic Conference Old Dominion Athletic Conference The Catholic University of America University of Baltimore

Full members Full members (non-football) Assoc. members (football only) Assoc. member (list sports)

Sports

The CAA sponsors championship competitions in ten men's and twelve women's NCAA sanctioned sports. Twelve schools are associate members in three sports.[7]

Locations of CAA full member institutions, as of 2014.
Colonial Athletic Association teams
Sport Men's Women's
Baseball
9
-
Basketball
10
10
Cross Country
6
8
Field Hockey
-
7
Football
12
-
Golf
9
8
Lacrosse
6
7
Rowing
-
6
Soccer
9
10
Softball
-
7
Swimming & Diving
5
7
Tennis
8
9
Track and Field (Outdoor)
3
8
Volleyball
-
9

Men's sponsored sports by school

School Baseball Basketball Cross
country
Football Golf Lacrosse Soccer Swimming
& diving
Tennis Track &
field
(outdoor)
Total
CAA
sports
Charleston Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Red X 6
Delaware Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X 8
Drexel Red X Green tick Red X Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X 6
Elon Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Red X 7
Hofstra Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X 7
James Madison Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Red X 6
UNC Wilmington Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick 8
Northeastern Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Red X Red X Green tick Red X Red X Green tick 5
Towson Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Red X 6
William & Mary Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick 9
Totals 9 10 6 5+7 9 4+2 9 5 8 3
Associate members
Albany Green tick 1
Fairfield Green tick 1
Maine Green tick 1
Massachusetts Green tick 1
New Hampshire Green tick 1
Rhode Island Green tick 1
Richmond Green tick 1
Stony Brook Green tick 1
Villanova Green tick 1

Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the CAA which are played by CAA schools:

School Ice hockey Sailing[m 1] Squash[m 2] Track & field
(indoor)
Charleston Independent
Drexel Independent
UNC Wilmington ECAC
Northeastern Hockey East ECAC
Notes
  1. Sailing is a coeducational sport sanctioned by the Intercollegiate Sailing Association and not the NCAA.
  2. Squash is a coeducational sport that is not sanctioned by the NCAA.

Women's sponsored sports by school

School Basketball Cross
country
Field
hockey
Golf Lacrosse Rowing Soccer Softball Swimming
& diving
Tennis Track &
field
(outdoor)
Volleyball Total
CAA
sports
Charleston Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Red X Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick 8
Delaware Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick 12
Drexel Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Red X 8
Elon Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick 9
Hofstra Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick 9
James Madison Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick 11
UNC Wilmington Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick 9
Northeastern Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Red X Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick 8
Towson Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick 11
William & Mary Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick Red X Green tick Red X Green tick Green tick Green tick Green tick 10
Totals 10 9 8 8 7 3+3 10 8 7 9 8 9
Associate members
Buffalo Green tick 1
Eastern Michigan Green tick 1
Villanova Green tick 1

Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the CAA which are played by CAA schools:

School Beach
volleyball
Equestrian[w 1] Gymnastics Ice hockey Sailing[w 2] Squash[w 3] Track &
field
(indoor)
Charleston CCSA Independent Independent ECAC
Delaware ECAC
Drexel Independent
Elon ECAC
James Madison ECAC
UNC Wilmington CCSA
Northeastern Hockey East
Towson EAGL ECAC
William & Mary ECAC ECAC
Notes
  1. Equestrianism is recognized by the NCAA as an "emerging sport" for women, but the national championship is sanctioned by the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and not the NCAA. While several conferences exist under the IHSA umbrella, the NCAA treats all women's equestrian teams that do not compete within a recognized NCAA conference as independents.
  2. Sailing is a coeducational sport sanctioned by the Intercollegiate Sailing Association and not the NCAA.
  3. Squash is a coeducational sport that is not sanctioned by the NCAA.

In addition to the above, Charleston counts its female cheerleaders (though not its male cheerleaders) and all-female dance team as varsity teams. Neither cheerleading nor dance team competitions are sponsored by the NCAA.

Current champions

Season Sport Men's
champion
Women's
champion
Fall 2016 Cross Country William & Mary William & Mary
Field Hockey Delaware
Football James Madison
Soccer Delaware Northeastern
Volleyball James Madison
Winter 2016–17 Basketball
Swimming & Diving
Spring 2017 Baseball
Golf
Lacrosse
Rowing
Softball
Tennis
Track & Field (Outdoor)

Men's basketball

* Denotes a tie for regular season conference title
Denotes game went into overtime

Regular season champions

Note: The conference was known as the ECAC South from 1979 to 1985.

Season Regular Season Champion Conference Record
1980 Old Dominion ?
1981 James Madison 11-2
1982 James Madison 10-1
1983 William & Mary 9–0
1984 Richmond 7–3
1985 Navy 11–3
1986 Navy 13–1
1987 Navy 13–1
1988 Richmond 11–3
1989 Richmond 13–1
1990 James Madison 11–3
1991 James Madison 12–2
1992 Richmond 12–2
1993 James Madison 11–3
1994 Old Dominion 10–4
1995 Old Dominion 12–2
1996 VCU 14–2
1997 Old Dominion 10–6
1998* William & Mary
UNC Wilmington
13–3
1999 George Mason 13–3
2000* George Mason
James Madison
12–4
2001 Richmond 12–4
2002 UNC Wilmington 14–4
2003 UNC Wilmington 15–3
2004 VCU 14–4
2005 Old Dominion 15–3
2006* George Mason
UNC Wilmington
15–3
2007 VCU 16–2
2008 VCU 15–3
2009 VCU 14–4
2010 Old Dominion 15–3
2011 George Mason 16–2
2012 Drexel 16–2
2013 Northeastern 14–4
2014 Delaware 14–2
2015* William & Mary
UNC Wilmington
Northeastern
James Madison
12–6
2016* Hofstra
UNC Wilmington
14–4

History of the Tournament Final

Year CAA Champions Score Runner-Up Tournament MVP Venue
1980 Old Dominion 62–51 Navy Mark West, ODU Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, Virginia)
1981 James Madison 69–60 Richmond Charles Fisher, JMU Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, Virginia)
1982 Old Dominion 58–57 James Madison Mark West, ODU Norfolk Scope (Norfolk, Virginia)
1983 James Madison 41–38 William & Mary Derek Steele, JMU Robins Center (Richmond, Virginia)
1984 Richmond 74–55 Navy Johnny Newman, UR Convocation Center (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
1985 Navy 85–76 Richmond Vernon Butler, Navy William & Mary Hall (Williamsburg, Virginia)
1986 Navy 72–61 George Mason David Robinson, Navy Patriot Center (Fairfax, Virginia)
1987 Navy 53–50 James Madison David Robinson, Navy Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, Virginia)
1988 Richmond 73–70 George Mason Peter Wollfolk, UR Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, Virginia)
1989 George Mason 78–72 UNC Wilmington Kenny Sanders, GMU Hampton Coliseum (Hampton, Virginia)
1990 Richmond 77–72 James Madison Ken Atkinson, UR Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1991 Richmond 81–78 George Mason Jim Shields, UR Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1992 Old Dominion 78–73 James Madison Ricardo Leonard, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1993 East Carolina 54–49 James Madison Lester Lyons, ECU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1994 James Madison 77–76 Old Dominion Odell Hodge, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1995 Old Dominion 80–75 James Madison Petey Sessoms, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1996 VCU 46–43 UNC Wilmington Bernard Hopkins, VCU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1997 Old Dominion 62–58 James Madison Odell Hodge, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1998 Richmond 79–64 UNC Wilmington Daryl Oliver, UR Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1999 George Mason 63–58 Old Dominion George Evans, GMU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2000 UNC Wilmington 57–47 Richmond Brett Blizzard, UNC Wilmington Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2001 George Mason 35–33 UNC Wilmington Erik Herring, GMU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2002 UNC Wilmington 66–51 VCU Brett Blizzard, UNC Wilmington Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2003 UNC Wilmington 70–62 Drexel Brett Blizzard, UNC Wilmington Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2004 VCU 55–54 George Mason Domonic Jones, VCU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2005 Old Dominion 73–66 VCU Alex Loughton, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2006 UNC Wilmington 78–67 Hofstra TJ Carter, UNC Wilmington Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2007 VCU 65–59 George Mason Eric Maynor, VCU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2008 George Mason 68–59 William & Mary Folarin Campbell, GMU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2009 VCU 71–50 George Mason Eric Maynor, VCU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2010 Old Dominion 60–53 William & Mary Gerald Lee, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2011 Old Dominion 70-65 VCU Frank Hassell, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2012 VCU 59-56 Drexel Theus, DariusDarius Theus, VCU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2013 James Madison 70-57 Northeastern Davis, A.J.A.J. Davis, JMU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
2014 Delaware 75-74 William & Mary Threatt, JarvisJarvis Threatt, Delaware Baltimore Arena (Baltimore)
2015 Northeastern 72-61 William & Mary Ford, QuincyQuincy Ford, Northeastern Royal Farms Arena (Baltimore)
2016 UNC Wilmington 80-73 Hofstra Chris Flemmings, UNC Wilmington Royal Farms Arena (Baltimore)
2017 North Charleston Coliseum (North Charleston, South Carolina)
2018 North Charleston Coliseum (North Charleston, South Carolina)
2019 North Charleston Coliseum (North Charleston, South Carolina)

In December 2012 the CAA announced that the 2014 through 2016 tournaments would be held at the venue then known as 1st Mariner Arena, now known as Royal Farms Arena, in Baltimore.[8] It marked the first time the tournament was held outside the state of Virginia.

Men's CAA Tournament Championships and finalists

School Championships Finals Appearances Years
Old Dominion 8 10 1980, 1982, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2010, 2011
Richmond 5 8 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1998
VCU 5 8 1996, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2012
James Madison 4 11 1981, 1983, 1994, 2013
George Mason 4 10 1989, 1999, 2001, 2008
UNC Wilmington 5 9 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2016
Navy 3 5 1985, 1986, 1987
Northeastern 1 2 2015
Delaware 1 1 2014
East Carolina 1 1 1993
William & Mary 0 5
Drexel 0 2
Hofstra 0 1

Former member of the CAA

Broadcasters

Women's basketball

Regular season champions

Season Regular Season Champion Conference Record
1984 Richmond 4–1
1985 East Carolina 11–1
1986 James Madison 11–1
1987 James Madison 12–0
1988 James Madison 12–0
1989 James Madison 12–0
1990 Richmond 11–1
1991 James Madison 11–1
1992 Old Dominion 12–2
1993 Old Dominion 14–0
1994 Old Dominion 14–0
1995 Old Dominion 13–1
1996 Old Dominion 16–0
1997 Old Dominion 16–0
1998 Old Dominion 16–0
1999 Old Dominion 16–0
2000 Old Dominion 16–0
2001 Old Dominion 15–1
2002 Old Dominion 18–0
2003 Old Dominion 15–3
2004 Old Dominion 14–4
2005 Delaware 16–2
2006 Old Dominion 17–1
2007 Old Dominion 17–1
2008 Old Dominion 17–1
2009 Drexel 16–2
2010 Old Dominion 14–4
2011 James Madison 16–2
2012 Delaware 18–0
2013 Delaware 18–0
2014 James Madison 15–1
2015 James Madison 17–1
2016 James Madison 17–1
* Denotes a tie for regular season conference title
Denotes game went into overtime

History of the Tournament Finals

Year CAA Champions Score Runner-Up Tournament MVP Venue
1984 East Carolina 54–39 Richmond N/A Minges Coliseum (Greenville, North Carolina)
1985 East Carolina 65–59 James Madison N/A William & Mary Hall (Williamsburg, Virginia)
1986 James Madison 66–62 East Carolina Lisa Squirewell, ECU Trask Coliseum (Wilmington, North Carolina)
1987 James Madison 74–62 American Sydney Beasley, JMU JMU Convocation Center (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
1988 James Madison 87–72 George Mason Sydney Beasley, JMU Bender Arena (Washington, D.C.)
1989 James Madison 55–45 Richmond Carolin Dehn-Duhr, JMU William & Mary Hall (Williamsburg, Virginia)
1990 Richmond 47–46 James Madison Pam Bryant, UR Robins Center (Richmond, Virginia)
1991 Richmond 88–70 East Carolina Ginny Norton, UR JMU Convocation Center (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
1992 Old Dominion 80–75 East Carolina Pam Huntley, ODU ODU Field House (Norfolk, Virginia)
1993 Old Dominion 65–51 William & Mary Pam Huntley, ODU ODU Field House (Norfolk, Virginia)
1994 Old Dominion 78–61 George Mason Celeste Hill, ODU JMU Convocation Center (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
1995 Old Dominion 63–44 James Madison Ticha Penicheiro, ODU ODU Field House (Norfolk, Virginia)
1996 Old Dominion 84–58 James Madison Clarisse Machanguana, ODU ODU Field House (Norfolk, Virginia)
1997 Old Dominion 83–46 East Carolina Clarisse Machanguana, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1998 Old Dominion 82–49 American Ticha Penicheiro, ODU Richmond Coliseum (Richmond, Virginia)
1999 Old Dominion 73–67 East Carolina Natalie Diaz, ODU Robins Center (Richmond, Virginia)
2000 Old Dominion 92–49 UNC Wilmington Natalie Diaz, ODU ALLTEL Pavilion (Richmond, Virginia)
2001 Old Dominion 66–62 James Madison Monique Coker, ODU ODU Field House (Norfolk, Virginia)
2002 Old Dominion 76–48 UNC Wilmington Okeisha Howard, ODU ODU Field House (Norfolk, Virginia)
2003 Old Dominion 66–58 Delaware Shareese Grant, ODU Ted Constant Convocation Center (Norfolk, Virginia)
2004 Old Dominion 85–81 George Mason Shareese Grant, ODU Ted Constant Convocation Center (Norfolk, Virginia)
2005 Old Dominion 78–74 Delaware Shareese Grant, ODU Patriot Center (Fairfax, Virginia)
2006 Old Dominion 58–54 James Madison T. J. Jordan, ODU Patriot Center (Fairfax, Virginia)
2007 Old Dominion 78–70 James Madison T. J. Jordan, ODU Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Delaware)
2008 Old Dominion 74–51 VCU Shahida Williams, ODU Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Delaware)
2009 Drexel 64–58 James Madison Gabriela Marginean, Drexel JMU Convocation Center (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
2010 James Madison 67–53 Old Dominion Dawn Evans, JMU JMU Convocation Center (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
2011 James Madison 67-61 Delaware Dawn Evans, JMU The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
2012 Delaware 59-43 Drexel Elena Delle Donne, UD The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
2013 Delaware 59-56 Drexel Elena Delle Donne, UD The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
2014 James Madison 70-45 Delaware Jazmon Gwathmey, JMU The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
2015 James Madison 62-56 Hofstra Jazmon Gwathmey, JMU The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
2016 James Madison 60–46 Drexel Jazmon Gwathmey, JMU The Show Place Arena (Upper Marlboro, Maryland)
2017 JMU Convocation Center (Harrisonburg, Virginia)
2018 Daskalakis Athletic Center (Philadelphia)
2019 Bob Carpenter Center (Newark, Delaware)

Women's CAA Tournament Championships and finalists

School Championships Finals Appearances Years
Old Dominion 17 18 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000,
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
James Madison 9 16 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016
Delaware 2 6 2012, 2013
East Carolina 2 6 1984, 1985
Richmond 2 4 1990, 1991
Drexel 1 4 2009
American 0 2
George Mason 0 2
UNC Wilmington 0 2
William & Mary 0 1
VCU 0 1

Former member of the CAA

Football

Colonial Athletic Association Football Conference
(CAA, CAA Football)
Established 2007
Association NCAA
Division Division I FCS
Members 12
Sports fielded 1 (men's: 1 (football))
Region East Coast
Headquarters Richmond, Virginia
Website caasports.com
Locations

The CAA Football Conference was formed in 2005, although it did not begin play until 2007, as a separate conference independent of the CAA, but administered by the CAA front office. For this reason, there are no true "football associate members" as every member of CAA Football is a full-member of the football-only conference. In the 2004–05 academic year, the CAA had five member schools that sponsored football, all of them as football-only members of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A10). In 2005, as previously noted, Northeastern accepted the CAA's offer of membership, giving the CAA the six football-playing members it needed under NCAA rules to organize a football conference. At that time, the CAA announced it would launch its new football conference in 2007. Next, the CAA invited the University of Richmond to become a football-only member effective in 2007. Once UR accepted the offer, this left the A10 football conference with only five members, less than the six required under NCAA rules. As a result, the remaining A10 football programs all decided to join the CAA on a football-only basis, spelling the end of A10 football, at least under that conference's banner. Since the CAA football conference had the same members as the A10 the previous year, it can be said that the CAA football conference is the A10 football conference under new management.

The CAA football conference's earliest roots are in the New England Conference, founded in 1938 by four state-supported universities in that region plus Northeastern; three of the public schools are currently in the CAA football conference. After the departure of Northeastern in 1945, the remaining members joined New England's other land-grant colleges, Massachusetts State College (now the University of Massachusetts) and the University of Vermont, to form the Yankee Conference under a new charter in 1946, with competition starting in 1947. That conference eventually dropped all sports other than football in 1975. Starting in the 1980s, it expanded to include many schools outside its original New England base. After the NCAA voted to limit the influence of single-sport conferences, the Yankee merged with the A10 in 1997. Every school that was in the Yankee Conference at the time of the A10 merger and still fields an FCS-level football team (nine out of the final 12 members of the Yankee Conference) is in the CAA football conference. As further proof of the continuity between conferences, the CAA inherited the A10's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, which in turn was inherited from the Yankee.

On May 31, 2006, Old Dominion University announced that it would start a football team to begin play in 2009.[9] ODU joined the CAA football conference in 2011.[10] On April 17, 2008, Georgia State University announced that it would start a football team to begin play in 2010 and join the CAA football conference in 2012.[11] The team is playing in the 70,000 seat Georgia Dome, but is restricting ticket sales to just over 28,000 for virtually all its games. However, GSU played only the 2012 season in the CAA, and was not eligible for the conference title, as it began an FBS transition in advance of its 2013 move to the Sun Belt Conference.[3]

Since the CAA began play as a football conference in 2007, a member team has played in the FCS Championship game four times, with Delaware making it in 2007 and 2010 and Richmond and Villanova winning it in 2008 and 2009, respectively. In 2007, the CAA set records with 15 national player of the week honorees and by sending five teams to the national championship playoffs. The very next season, in 2008, they broke that record with 19 national player of the week honorees and tied their own record by again sending five teams to the national championship playoffs for the second straight year. At the end of the 2008 season, the CAA had six Top 25 teams with four placing in the Top Ten. Players from the CAA received 78 All-America honors.

In the opening weekend of the 2009 season, CAA teams defeated three Division I FBS teams. William & Mary and Richmond took down teams from the ACC (one of the six conferences whose champions receive automatic Bowl Championship Series berths), respectively Virginia and Duke, while Villanova defeated Temple from the MAC. The following weekend saw New Hampshire defeat another MAC team, Ball State (which had gone through the previous regular season unbeaten, but ended 2009 2–10). All four of the CAA teams to defeat FBS teams qualified for the 2009 FCS playoffs and won their first-round games; Villanova and William & Mary reached the semifinals, and Villanova won the FCS championship.

Northeastern—the school whose 2005 move to the CAA enabled the creation of the CAA football conference—dropped football after the 2009 season. President Joseph E. Aoun and the board of trustees endorsed the move after an extensive, two-year review of the athletic program by its director, Peter Roby. The decision to eliminate football followed six straight losing seasons and sparse game attendance at a school whose ice rink often sells out for hockey.[12]

On December 3, 2009, Hofstra announced that the university would no longer be sponsoring football. The decision follows a two-year review of sports spending at Hofstra. School officials stated there are no plans to cut any other sports at the Long Island school. Hofstra cited costs and low student interest—only 500 students would attend home games despite free tickets—as reasons to drop the program.[13] Due to the reduction of the conference, the CAA did not use the division format for the 2010 season. Even though Old Dominion began conference play in 2011 and Georgia State did the same in 2012, the divisional format is not likely to return in the immediate future, as the CAA lost football members in both 2012 and 2013. UMass departed for FBS and the Mid-American Conference in 2012 followed by Georgia State's departure for the Sun Belt and Old Dominion for Conference USA.

The 2010 season started with the biggest non-conference win of the CAA's short history, when James Madison defeated nationally ranked Virginia Tech (FBS #13 at the time) of the ACC. JMU won 21-16 on September 11, at Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium.

Current members

The CAA football conference has the following members:

Former members

The former members of the CAA football conference are:

Northeastern also played in the Yankee and Atlantic 10 Football Conferences from 1993 to 2006, as did Massachusetts from 1947 to 2006 and Hofstra from 2001 to 2006.

Additionally, former members of its ancestor conferences (New England Conference, Yankee Conference, Atlantic 10 Conference) include:

Membership timeline

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Full members

Conference champions

* Denotes a tie for regular season conference title
Denotes team failed to qualify for FCS Playoffs
Bold type Denotes national champion in the same season
Year Team(s) Conference Record Overall Record(s) Head Coach(es)
2007* Massachusetts
Richmond
7–1 10–3
11–3
Don Brown
Dave Clawson
2008 James Madison 8–0 12–2 Mickey Matthews
2009* Richmond
Villanova
7–1 11–2
14–1
Mike London
Andy Talley
2010* Delaware
William & Mary
6–2 12–3
8–4
K. C. Keeler
Jimmye Laycock
2011 Towson 7–1 9–3 Rob Ambrose
2012* New Hampshire
Richmond
Villanova
Towson[17]
6–2 8–3
8–3
8–3
7–4
Sean McDonnell
Danny Rocco
Andy Talley
Rob Ambrose
2013 Maine 7–1 10–3 Jack Cosgrove
2014 New Hampshire 8–0 10–1 Sean McDonnell
2015* James Madison
Richmond
William & Mary
6–2 9–2
8–3
8–3
Everett Withers
Danny Rocco
Jimmye Laycock
2016 James Madison 8–0 10–1 Mike Houston

    All-time conference championships

    School Championships Years
    Richmond 4 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015
    James Madison 3 2008, 2015, 2016
    New Hampshire 2 2012, 2014
    Towson 2 2011, 2012
    Villanova 2 2009, 2012
    William & Mary 2 2010, 2015
    Delaware 1 2010
    Maine 1 2013
    Massachusetts 1 2007

    Co-championships are designated by italics. Former member of CAA Football

    All-time NFL Draft selections

    Year Round Selection Player Position College NFL Team
    2008 1 18 Joe Flacco Quarterback Delaware Baltimore Ravens
    4 125 Arman Shields Wide Receiver Richmond Oakland Raiders
    5 149 Tim Hightower Running Back Richmond Arizona Cardinals
    6 207 Matt Sherry Tight End Villanova Cincinnati Bengals
    2009 3 73 Derek Cox Cornerback William & Mary Jacksonville Jaguars
    4 125 Lawrence Sidbury Defensive End Richmond Atlanta Falcons
    2010 2 61 Vladimir Ducasse Offensive Tackle Massachusetts New York Jets
    6 178 Arthur Moats Defensive End James Madison Buffalo Bills
    184 Adrian Tracy Linebacker William & Mary New York Giants
    203 Scotty McGee Kick Returner James Madison Jacksonville Jaguars
    7 234 Sean Lissemore Defensive Tackle William & Mary Dallas Cowboys
    2011 2 49 Ben Ijalana Offensive Tackle Villanova Indianapolis Colts
    7 206 Justin Rogers Cornerback Richmond Buffalo Bills
    2012 4 98 Gino Gradkowski Guard Delaware Baltimore Ravens
    133 Jerron McMillian Safety Maine Green Bay Packers
    2013 4 114 B. W. Webb Cornerback William & Mary Dallas Cowboys
    116 Earl Watford Guard James Madison Arizona Cardinals
    5 152 Cooper Taylor Safety Richmond New York Giants
    7 241 Jared Smith Defensive Tackle New Hampshire Seattle Seahawks
    2014 3 94 Terrance West Running Back Towson Cleveland Browns
    6 184 Kendall James Cornerback Maine Minnesota Vikings
    2015 7 245 Tre McBride Wide Receiver William & Mary Tennessee Titans

    Men's soccer

    Regular season champions

    Note: The conference was known as the ECAC South from 1983 to 1985.

    List of CAA regular season champions.[18]

    Season Regular Season Champion Conference Record
    1983 George Mason 4–1–0
    1984 American 5–0–2
    1985 American 6–1–0
    1986 George Mason 5–0–2
    1987 William & Mary 6–1–0
    1988 Navy 5–1–1
    1989 George Mason 6–0–1
    1990 George Mason 6–1–0
    1991 James Madison 6–1–0
    1992 William & Mary 5–0–2
    1993 James Madison 7–0–0
    1994 James Madison 6–0–1
    1995 William & Mary 6–2–0
    1996 William & Mary 8–0–0
    1997 American 6–0–2
    1998 VCU 7–0–1
    1999 Old Dominion 7–1–0
    2000 James Madison 7–1–0
    2001 Old Dominion 3–0–2
    2002 VCU 7–1–1
    2003 VCU 8–1–0
    2004 VCU 7–1–1
    2005 Old Dominion 9–1–1
    2006 Towson 10–0–1
    2007 Drexel 8–2–1
    2008 UNC Wilmington 7–4–0
    2009 UNC Wilmington 8–0–3
    2010 William & Mary 8–1–2
    2011 James Madison 8–3–0
    2012 Drexel 8–1–1

    Facilities

    School Football stadium Capacity Basketball arena (Nickname) Capacity Baseball park Capacity
    Albany Bob Ford Field 8,500 Football-only member (See: America East)
    Charleston Non-football school TD Arena 5,100 CofC Baseball Stadium at Patriot's Point 2,000
    Delaware Delaware Stadium 22,000 Bob Carpenter Center (The "Bob") 5,000 Bob Hannah Stadium 1,300
    Drexel Non-football school Daskalakis Athletic Center (The "DAC") 2,509 Non-baseball school
    Elon Rhodes Stadium 11,250 Alumni Gym 1,544 Walter C. Latham Park 500
    Hofstra Non-football school Hofstra Arena (The "Mack") 5,124 University Field 400
    James Madison Bridgeforth Stadium and Zane Showker Field 24,877[19] James Madison University Convocation Center (The "Convo") 7,156 Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park 1,200
    Maine Alfond Stadium 10,000 Football-only member (See: America East)
    New Hampshire Wildcat Stadium 11,000 Football-only member (See: America East)
    Northeastern Non-football school Matthews Arena (men's)
    Cabot Center (women's)
    6,000
    2,500
    Parsons Field 3,000
    Rhode Island Meade Stadium 6,580 Football-only member (See: Atlantic 10)
    Richmond E. Claiborne Robins Stadium 8,700 Football-only member (See: Atlantic 10)
    Stony Brook Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium 8,200 Football-only member (See: America East)
    Towson Johnny Unitas Stadium 11,198 SECU Arena 5,200 John B. Schuerholz Baseball Complex 500
    UNC Wilmington Non-football school Trask Coliseum 5,500 Brooks Field 3,000
    Villanova Villanova Stadium 12,500 Football-only member (See: Big East)
    William & Mary Zable Stadium 12,259 William & Mary Hall 8,600 Plumeri Park 1,000

    References

    1. "Atlantic 10 Conference Adds VCU as Full Member" (Press release). Atlantic 10 Conference. May 15, 2012. Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
    2. McMurphy, Brett (May 17, 2012). "ODU will join C-USA in 2013". College Football Insider (CBSSports.com). Retrieved July 1, 2012.
    3. 1 2 McMurphy, Brett (April 7, 2012). "Sun Belt adding Georgia State". College Football Insider (CBSSports.com). Retrieved April 9, 2012.
    4. "College of Charleston Accepts Invitation to Join the CAA in 2013" (Press release). Colonial Athletic Association. November 30, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
    5. Goff, Steven (March 25, 2013). "George Mason to join Atlantic 10 in July, leaving CAA". The Washington Post.
    6. http://www.ubalt.edu/about-ub/offices-and-services/university-relations/resources/identity.cfm
    7. "CAASports.com—Official Web Site of the Colonial Athletic Association". Colonial Athletic Association. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
    8. "CAA Reaches Three-Year Agreement With City of Baltimore to Host 2014-16 CAA Men's Basketball Championships". CAA. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
    9. "Football to be added to ODU sports programs in 2009". Odusports.cstv.com. May 31, 2006. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
    10. Ducibella, Jim (January 24, 2007). "ODU football closing in on necessary endowment". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved April 21, 2008.
    11. "Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia State Football". Georgiastatesports.com. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
    12. 1 2 Ryan, Andrew (November 23, 2009). "Northeastern calls an end to football". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
    13. "Hofstra makes 'painful but clear' choice to drop football". CBSSports.com. December 3, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
    14. Zhe, Mike (November 1, 2009). "UNH football notebook: CAA expansion won't effect 'Cats short-term". SeacoastOnline.com. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
    15. "Hofstra to End Intercollegiate Football Program to Invest in Academic Initiatives". Hofstra.edu. December 3, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2010.
    16. "Report: UMass to announce MAC move". ESPN. Associated Press. April 19, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2011.
    17. Old Dominion had the league's best regular-season record at 7–1 in the CAA and 10–1 overall, but was ineligible for the conference title. Under CAA bylaws, a school that announces its future departure immediately becomes ineligible for CAA tournaments or championships in team sports.
    18. "Men's Soccer Archive" (PDF). CAA. NMN Athletics. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
    19. "James Madison University – Bridgeforth Stadium". jmu.edu. Retrieved August 23, 2011.

    External links

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