Colonial no more: CAA renamed amid changes

The Colonial Athletic Convention has been renamed the Coastal Athletic Convention, the league introduced Thursday.

Generally known as the CAA, the league has retained that acquainted moniker and can maintain the identical brand. The league has expanded out of its preliminary Northeast and Mid-Atlantic footprint in recent times amid convention realignment, and sources mentioned the identify change was put in place to replicate each the growth and modernization of the league.

“The Convention’s new identify represents a end result of its efforts over the previous three years to develop its membership, solidify its geographic footprint and affirm its long-standing mission via a brand new imaginative and prescient assertion which emphasizes that CAA establishments work collectively to advance nationally aggressive school athletic packages — coupled with excellent tutorial packages — that empower pupil athletes as complete individuals who try on the highest stage in each side of their lives,” CAA commissioner Joe D’Antonio mentioned in an announcement. “Our new identify is reflective of the Convention’s continuity and unity, in addition to every establishments’ dedication to be United in Excellence.”

The league has been discussing this variation for almost a yr, based on sources.

The CAA, which was based in 1979, is greatest recognized nationally as a basketball league that features packages corresponding to Charleston, Delaware and Towson. The league’s heyday in basketball included runs to the Closing 4 by former members VCU (2016) and George Mason (2006).

The league’s soccer membership varies from the basketball membership, because it stretches from Maine to Elon, Campbell and North Carolina A&T in North Carolina. Faculties corresponding to Villanova, Rhode Island and New Hampshire additionally play soccer within the CAA.

The basketball footprint stretches from Northeastern in Boston to Charleston in South Carolina. Latest additions to the league have included Campbell, North Carolina A&T, Monmouth, Hampton and Stony Brook.