Colonial no more: CAA renamed amid modifications

• Pete Thamel, ESPNJul 20, 2023, 10:08 AM ET

The Colonial Athletic Conference has been renamed the Coastal Athletic Conference, the league revealed Thursday.Known as the CAA,

the league has actually retained that familiar name and will keep the very same logo design. The league has actually expanded out of its initial Northeast and Mid-Atlantic footprint in recent years amidst conference adjustment, and sources stated the name modification was put in place to show both the growth and modernization of the league.

“The Conference’s new name represents a culmination of its efforts over the past 3 years to broaden its subscription, strengthen its geographical footprint and verify its enduring mission through a new vision statement which emphasizes that CAA institutions work together to advance nationally competitive college athletic programs– paired with outstanding scholastic programs– that empower student athletes as whole persons who aim at the greatest level in every element of their lives,” CAA commissioner Joe D’Antonio said in a declaration. “Our brand-new name is reflective of the Conference’s continuity and unity, as well as each organizations’ commitment to be Unified in Quality.”

The league has actually been discussing this modification for nearly a year, according to sources.The CAA, which was

established in 1979, is best known nationally as a basketball league that consists of programs such as Charleston, Delaware and Towson. The league’s prime time in basketball consisted of runs to the Final 4 by previous members VCU (2016) and George Mason (2006 ).

The league’s football membership varies from the basketball membership, as it stretches from Maine to Elon, Campbell and North Carolina A&T in North Carolina. Schools such as Villanova, Rhode Island and New Hampshire likewise play football in the CAA.The basketball footprint stretches from Northeastern in Boston to Charleston in South Carolina. Recent additions to the league have actually consisted of Campbell, North Carolina A&T, Monmouth, Hampton and Stony Brook.