Introduction to the CAA
The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) is a collegiate athletic conference with member institutions in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The CAA was founded in 1979 and is one of the oldest conferences in the NCAA Division I. It is composed of 11 universities and colleges that compete in 22 sports. The CAA is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and sponsors championships in basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, swimming, soccer, softball, tennis, and track and field.
Member Schools of the CAA
The CAA is composed of 11 member schools:
- The College of William & Mary – Williamsburg, Virginia
- Delaware – Newark, Delaware
- Drexel – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Elon – Elon, North Carolina
- Hofstra – Hempstead, New York
- James Madison – Harrisonburg, Virginia
- Northeastern – Boston, Massachusetts
- Towson – Towson, Maryland
- UNC Wilmington – Wilmington, North Carolina
- College of Charleston – Charleston, South Carolina
- Northeastern – Boston, Massachusetts
History of the CAA
The CAA was founded in 1979 and is one of the oldest conferences in the NCAA Division I. The conference was created by the merger of the Colonial League, which was founded in 1977, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). The conference was originally composed of six schools: The College of William & Mary, Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, James Madison, and Northeastern. The CAA has expanded over the years, adding additional schools and sports.
Sports Offered by the CAA
The CAA is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and sponsors championships in the following sports:
Men’s Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
Women’s Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Field Hockey
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
CAA Championships
The CAA holds annual conference championships in all sports it sponsors. The conference also sponsors intercollegiate competition in rowing, sailing, and beach volleyball. The CAA is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I and is eligible to compete in NCAA championships in all sports.
CAA Teams in the NCAA Basketball Tournament
The CAA has a strong history of success in NCAA basketball tournament play. Since 1979, CAA teams have won a total of 10 games in the NCAA tournament. The most successful CAA teams in the NCAA tournament have been the Virginia Cavaliers, who won the 2019 NCAA Championship, and the George Mason Patriots, who made an unlikely run to the 2006 Final Four.
CAA in the NFL
The CAA has had a number of players drafted into the National Football League (NFL) over the years. The most notable CAA players in the NFL include Hall of Fame quarterback Steve McNair, Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice, Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers, and Pro Bowl wide receiver Antonio Brown.
CAA and Professional Soccer
The CAA has also had success in professional soccer. Several CAA players have gone on to play in Major League Soccer (MLS), including Tim Ream of the New York Red Bulls, Chris Seitz of the Seattle Sounders, and Chris Pontius of the Philadelphia Union.
Conclusion
The CAA is a collegiate athletic conference with member institutions in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. The CAA was founded in 1979 and is composed of 11 universities and colleges that compete in 22 sports. The CAA sponsors championships in basketball, cross country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and track and field. The CAA has had success in NCAA basketball tournament play and has had a number of players drafted into the NFL and play in MLS.