
The CAA, or the Coastal Athletic Association, is a collegiate basketball league. It was founded in 1979 as the ECAC South Conference, composed of independent schools that played basketball in the Eastern College Athletic Conference's South Region Division I men's basketball tournament. The CAA has since expanded, with Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Stony Brook University joining in 2022. The CAA has produced 16 national team champions in six different sports, with James Madison University winning the 2018 Division I Women's Lacrosse championship. The CAA also holds an annual men's basketball tournament that has been hosted every year since at least 1980.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Coastal Athletic Association |
| Former Name | Colonial Athletic Association |
| Founding Year | 1979 |
| Founding Name | ECAC South Conference |
| Number of National Team Champions | 16 |
| Number of Individual National Champions | 33 |
| Number of National Coaches of the Year | 11 |
| Number of National Players of the Year | 11 |
| Number of Honda Award Winners | 12 |
| Number of Full-time Members | 8 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
In 2005, the addition of Northeastern University gave the CAA the NCAA-mandated minimum of six football programs required to sponsor the sport. This expansion continued with the inclusion of other universities, such as Georgia State University, strengthening the conference's presence. The CAA has also experienced departures, with universities like Virginia Commonwealth University and Old Dominion University leaving for other conferences.
The CAA is committed to the success of its member institutions and their athletes. In the 2015-16 basketball season, the conference RPI achieved its highest rating, finishing 9th in the nation. The CAA has produced impressive athletic achievements, including 16 national team champions across six different sports, 33 individual national champions, 11 national coaches of the year, and 11 national players of the year.
The Coastal Athletic Association has undergone recent changes to its conference membership. In 2022, Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Stony Brook University joined the CAA, with Campbell University following suit in 2023. These additions contributed to the expansion of the CAA, filling the void left by former members such as the United States Naval Academy, the University of Richmond, and East Carolina University.
The CAA has also explored expansion opportunities to enhance its divisional format and reduce travel costs for its members. Universities such as Fairfield University, Howard University, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro have been considered potential candidates for inclusion in the CAA. The conference's dynamic nature ensures its ability to adapt and evolve, fostering a competitive and diverse athletic environment for its members.
Cumberland University Basketball: A Division II Powerhouse
You may want to see also
Explore related products

CAA's history
The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), formerly the ECAC South Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association, is a collegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. The CAA was founded in 1979 as the ECAC South Conference, composed of independent schools that participated in the Eastern College Athletic Conference's South Region Division I men's basketball tournament.
During its initial two seasons, the CAA's members continued to compete as independents during the regular season while also taking part in the ECAC's South Region tournament. However, starting with the 1981-1982 season, the conference began organizing its own basketball competitions. The conference was renamed the Colonial Athletic Association in 1985 when it expanded into other sports, although several members retained their ECAC affiliation in certain sports.
Over the years, the CAA has undergone several membership changes and expansions. In 2001, the conference added four universities: Towson University, Drexel University, Hofstra University, and the University of Delaware. In 2005, Northeastern University joined the CAA, giving the conference the NCAA-mandated minimum of six football programs to sponsor football. The addition of Northeastern University also expanded the conference's footprint.
In 2012, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Georgia State University left the CAA for different conferences. Old Dominion University and Georgia State University departed the following year, while the College of Charleston joined the CAA from the Southern Conference. In 2013, George Mason University left the CAA to join the Atlantic 10 Conference, and the conference ceased sponsoring wrestling due to a lack of teams.
More recently, in 2022, Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Stony Brook University became members of the CAA. Campbell University joined the league in 2023, and the conference was renamed the Coastal Athletic Association. These expansions brought the CAA's membership to 14 universities, all of which participate in the conference tournament.
The CAA has a rich history in various sports, producing numerous national champions, coaches of the year, players of the year, and Honda Award winners. In basketball, the CAA has seen success, with George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University reaching the Final Four in 2006 and 2011, respectively.
Understanding Bonus Fouls: Strategies for Success in Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products

CAA's expansion
The CAA, or the Colonial Athletic Association, was founded in 1979 as the ECAC South Conference. It was renamed the Colonial Athletic Association in 1985 when it expanded to include championships in other sports.
The CAA has undergone several expansions since its founding. In 2001, the six-member conference added four new universities: Towson University, Drexel University, Hofstra University, and the University of Delaware. In 2005, Northeastern University joined, giving the conference the NCAA minimum of six football programs needed to sponsor football.
The CAA continued to expand in the early 2010s, adding Georgia State University in 2011 and the College of Charleston in 2013. However, it also experienced some departures during this time, with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) leaving for the Atlantic 10 Conference in 2012 and Old Dominion University departing for Conference USA in 2013.
In 2022 and 2023, the CAA underwent further significant expansion, adding Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Stony Brook University. This expansion followed the exits of several longtime members, including the United States Naval Academy, the University of Richmond, East Carolina University, and American University.
The conference also rebranded itself as the Coastal Athletic Association in 2023, reflecting the expansion of its footprint throughout the East Coast. During this period, Campbell University also joined the CAA, further enlarging the conference.
The CAA has a strong presence in basketball, with its teams achieving notable successes over the years. The expansion of the conference has contributed to its competitiveness and visibility in the sport.
Maintain Your Badminton Racket: Tips for Longevity
You may want to see also
Explore related products

CAA's members
The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), formerly the ECAC South Conference and the Colonial Athletic Association, is a collegiate athletic conference with full members located in East Coast states, from Massachusetts to South Carolina. The CAA is affiliated with the NCAA's Division I. Most of its members are public universities, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond.
The CAA was founded in 1979 as the ECAC South Conference, composed of independent schools that played basketball in the Eastern College Athletic Conference's South Region Division I men's basketball tournament. During its initial two seasons, its members continued to play basketball as independents during the regular season while also participating in the ECAC's South Region tournament.
The association has undergone several changes in membership over the years. In 2001, the conference expanded from six to ten members with the addition of Towson University, Drexel University, Hofstra University, and the University of Delaware. In 2005, Georgia State University and Northeastern University joined, further expanding the conference's reach. However, some longtime members have also departed, including the United States Naval Academy, the University of Richmond, East Carolina University, and American University.
As of 2022 and 2023, the most recent changes to the CAA's membership include the addition of Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Stony Brook University. Stony Brook, already a member of CAA Football, expanded its participation to include other sports within the CAA. Hampton and Monmouth joined both the all-sports CAA and CAA Football, while North Carolina A&T State University became a member of the all-sports CAA.
The CAA has a diverse range of members, including public and private universities, and it offers championships in a wide range of sports, showcasing the athletic talents of its members beyond just basketball.
The Surprising Syllable Count in the Word "Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products

CAA's championship tournaments
The CAA, or the Coastal Athletic Association, organises championship tournaments for a variety of sports, including basketball. The CAA was founded in 1979 as the ECAC South Conference, composed of independent schools that played basketball in the Eastern College Athletic Conference's South Region Division I men's basketball tournament. The conference was renamed the Colonial Athletic Association in 1985 when championships in other sports were introduced.
Over the years, the CAA has undergone several membership changes, with universities joining and leaving the association. As of 2006, the CAA organises championships in 21 men's and women's sports. The addition of Northeastern University in 2005 gave the conference the NCAA-required minimum of six football programs to sponsor football. In 2011, the VCU Rams became the second CAA team to reach the Final Four.
In recent years, the CAA has continued to expand, with Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Stony Brook University joining in 2022. Campbell University became the latest addition to the league in 2023. These new members have allowed the CAA to consider splitting into a divisional format for most sports to reduce travel costs for its members.
The CAA has produced impressive results in various sports, including basketball. In 2015-16, the conference RPI ranking reached its highest rating, finishing 9th in the nation. The association has also produced 16 national team champions in six different sports, with the most recent being the James Madison University Dukes, who won the 2018 Division I Women's Lacrosse championship.
The Original Basketball: What Color Was It?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
CAA stands for the Coastal Athletic Association (formerly known as the Colonial Athletic Association).
The CAA was founded in 1979 as the ECAC South Conference.
The CAA men's basketball tournament is the conference championship tournament in basketball for the Coastal Athletic Association. It has been held every year since at least 1980.
The CAA basketball tournament is a single-elimination tournament with seeding based on regular season records. As of 2022 and 2023, the conference membership includes Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, Stony Brook University, and Campbell University.
Yes, the CAA has produced 16 national team champions in six different sports, including the James Madison University Dukes, who won the 2018 Division I Women's Lacrosse championship.










































