CAA changes name to Coastal Athletic Association after expanding to 14 schools
A college sports conference has a new name, as the Colonial Athletic Association has changed its name to the Coastal Athletic Association, it announced Thursday.
Also known as the CAA, the conference will keep the abbreviation and same logo, saying the name change reflects the conference's recent expansion, with members now stretching along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts to South Carolina.
"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," said CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said in a statement. "Our new name is reflective of the Conference’s continuity and unity, as well as each institutions’ commitment to be United in Excellence."
Founded in 1979, the conference has expanded to 14 schools with the addition of five schools in the past two year. The only remaining founding member of the CAA is William & Mary. Former member schools include George Mason, James Madison and Virginia Commonwealth. The schools in the CAA are:
Campbell University
Drexel
Elon
Hampton
Hofstra
Monmouth
North Carolina A&T
Northeastern
Stony Brook
William & Mary
The conference football membership differs, as some schools do not have football and other schools are in the conference for the sport only. Still, the name change will apply to football, with a new name – the Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference. Football members include Albany, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Richmond and Villanova.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CAA changes name to Coastal Athletic Association, drops Colonial
