Coastal Athletic Association facts for kids
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Formerly | ECAC South, Colonial Athletic Association |
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Association | NCAA |
Founded | 1979 |
Commissioner | Joe D'Antonio (since 2016) |
Sports fielded |
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Division | Division I |
Subdivision | FCS |
No. of teams | 14 (13 in 2025) |
Headquarters | Richmond, Virginia |
Region | East Coast |
Locations | |
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The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) is a group of colleges and universities that compete in sports. It used to be called the Colonial Athletic Association. These schools are all located along the East Coast, from Massachusetts down to South Carolina. Most of the schools in the CAA are public universities. The main office for the CAA is in Richmond.
The CAA started in 1979 as a basketball league called the ECAC. In 1985, it changed its name to the Colonial Athletic Association and started adding championships for other sports. Today, the CAA organizes competitions in 23 different sports for both men and women.
In 2005, Northeastern University joined the league. This was important because it gave the CAA enough schools to start sponsoring football games. The football part of the league is called CAA Football. It is managed by the CAA but works as a separate group.
Recently, in 2022 and 2023, several new schools joined the CAA. These included Hampton University, Monmouth University, North Carolina A&T State University, Stony Brook University, and Campbell University. On July 20, 2023, the league changed its name to the Coastal Athletic Association. This new name shows that the league now includes schools across a wider area of the East Coast.
Contents
History
The CAA has grown a lot over the years. Some older members like the Navy and the University of Richmond left. But new schools joined, making the conference bigger. In 2001, four new universities joined: Towson University, Drexel University, Hofstra University, and the University of Delaware. A few years later, Georgia State University and Northeastern University also became members.
The CAA has had many successes in sports. Teams from the CAA have won 16 national championships in different sports. For example, James Madison University won the women's lacrosse championship in 2018. Many individual athletes from CAA schools have also won national titles. In basketball, George Mason made it to the Final Four in 2006, which is a huge achievement. In 2011, the VCU Rams also reached the Final Four.
In 2013, George Mason University left the CAA. Around that time, the CAA stopped sponsoring wrestling because not enough teams were participating.
More recently, in 2021, James Madison University announced it would leave the CAA to join another conference, the Sun Belt Conference. This meant their football team would move to a higher level of competition. The CAA then added several new schools to keep growing. In January 2022, Hampton University, Monmouth University, and Stony Brook University joined. Then, in February 2022, North Carolina A&T State University joined, followed by Campbell University in 2023.
Finally, on July 20, 2023, the Colonial Athletic Association officially changed its name to the Coastal Athletic Association. This new name better represents all the schools now located along the East Coast. However, the conference's logo stayed the same.
In November 2023, Delaware announced it would leave the CAA in 2025 to join Conference USA.
Commissioners
Name | Dates |
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Tom Yeager | 1979–July 1, 2016 |
Joe D'Antonio | July 1, 2016–present |
Member schools
Full members
Current full members
Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Type | Enrollment | Endowment | Nickname | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Campbell University | Buies Creek, North Carolina | 1887 | 2023 | Private | 5,622 | $165,000,000 | Fighting Camels | |
College of Charleston | Charleston, South Carolina | 1770 | 2013 | Public | 10,783 | $102,800,000 | Cougars | |
University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware | 1743 | 2001 | Public | 23,281 | $1,450,000,000 | Fightin' Blue Hens | |
Drexel University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1891 | 2001 | Private | 22,412 | $798,300,000 | Dragons | |
Elon University | Elon, North Carolina | 1889 | 2014 | 6,991 | $365,600,000 | Phoenix | ||
Hampton University | Hampton, Virginia | 1868 | 2022 | Private (HBCU) |
3,516 | $280,600,000 | Pirates & Lady Pirates | |
Hofstra University | Hempstead, New York | 1935 | 2001 | Private | 10,871 | $637,100,000 | Pride | |
Monmouth University | West Long Branch, New Jersey | 1933 | 2022 | 5,675 | $108,463,000 | Hawks | ||
North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro, North Carolina | 1891 | 2022 | Public (HBCU) |
13,332 | $178,000,000 | Aggies | |
Northeastern University | Boston, Massachusetts | 1898 | 2005 | Private | 21,627 | $1,070,000,000 | Huskies | |
Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, New York | 1957 | 2022 | Public | 26,782 | $360,200,000 | Seawolves | |
Towson University | Towson, Maryland | 1866 | 1979, 2001 | 22,923 | $87,800,000 | Tigers | ||
University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, North Carolina | 1947 | 1984 | 17,499 | $103,800,000 | Seahawks | ||
College of William & Mary | Williamsburg, Virginia | 1693 | 1979 | 8,817 | $1,278,400,000 | Tribe |
Former full members
Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Left | Type | Nickname | Colors | Current conference |
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American University | Washington, D.C. | 1893 | 1984 | 2001 | Private | Eagles | Patriot | |
University of Baltimore | Baltimore, Maryland | 1979 | 1981 | Public | Super Bees | none | ||
Catholic University of America | Washington, D.C. | 1887 | Private (Roman Catholic) |
Cardinals | Landmark (NCAA Division III) |
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East Carolina University | Greenville, North Carolina | 1907 | 1981 | 2001 | Public | Pirates | American | |
George Mason University | Fairfax, Virginia | 1957 | 1979 | 2013 | Patriots | Atlantic 10 | ||
Georgia State University | Atlanta, Georgia | 1913 | 2005 | Panthers | Sun Belt | |||
James Madison University | Harrisonburg, Virginia | 1908 | 1979 | 2022 | Dukes | |||
United States Naval Academy | Annapolis, Maryland | 1845 | 1979 | 1991 | Federal (Military) |
Midshipmen | Patriot | |
Old Dominion University | Norfolk, Virginia | 1930 | 1982 | Public | Monarchs | Sun Belt | ||
1991 | 2013 | |||||||
University of Richmond | Richmond, Virginia | 1830 | 1979 | 2001 | Private | Spiders | Atlantic 10 | |
Saint Francis University | Loretto, Pennsylvania | 1847 | 1981 | Private (Roman Catholic) |
Red Flash | Northeast | ||
Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond, Virginia | 1838 | 1995 | 2012 | Public | Rams | Atlantic 10 |
Associate members
In all tables below, dates of joining and departure reflect the calendar years these moves took effect. For spring sports, the year of arrival is the calendar year before the first season of competition. For fall sports, the year of departure is the calendar year after the final season of competition.
Current associate members
Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Type | Enrollment | Nickname | Colors | CAA sport |
Primary conference |
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University of California, San Diego | La Jolla, California | 1960 | 2020 | Public | 40,473 | Tritons | rowing (w) | Big West | |
University of Connecticut | Storrs, Connecticut | 1881 | 2019 | Public | 32,257 | Huskies | rowing (w) | Big East | |
Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti, Michigan | 1849 | 2012 | Public | 20,313 | Eagles | rowing (w) | Mid-American | |
Fairfield University | Fairfield, Connecticut | 1942 | 2014 | Private | 5,273 | Stags | lacrosse (m) | MAAC | |
Villanova University | Villanova, Pennsylvania | 1842 | 2015 | Private | 11,023 | Wildcats | rowing (w) | Big East |
Former associate members
Institution | Location | Founded | Joined | Left | Type | Nickname | Colors | CAA sport |
Primary conference |
Conference in former CAA sport |
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Binghamton University | Vestal, New York | 1946 | 2001 | 2013 | Public | Bearcats | wrestling | America East | EIWA | |
Boston College | Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | 1842 | 2001 | 2002 | Private | Eagles | wrestling | ACC | ||
Boston University | Boston, Massachusetts | 1839 | 2001 (wrestling) |
2013 | Terriers | wrestling | Patriot | none | ||
2011 (rowing) |
rowing (w) | Patriot | ||||||||
University at Buffalo | Buffalo, New York | 1846 | 2008 | 2017 | Public | Bulls | rowing (w) | MAC | none | |
Campbell University | Buies Creek, North Carolina | 1887 | 1996 | 2008 | Private | Fighting Camels | wrestling | Big South | Southern | |
Davidson College | Davidson, North Carolina | 1837 | 2001 | 2007 | Wildcats | swimming & diving | Atlantic 10 | |||
University of Dayton | Dayton, Ohio | 1850 | 2002 | 2014 | Flyers | golf (w) | Atlantic 10 | Metro Atlantic | ||
Liberty University | Lynchburg, Virginia | 1971 | 1991 | 1994 | Flames | wrestling | CUSA | none | ||
Loyola University Maryland | Baltimore, Maryland | 1852 | 2001 | 2002 | Greyhounds | lacrosse (m) | Patriot | |||
University of Massachusetts | Amherst, Massachusetts | 1863 | 2007 | 2012 | Public | Minutemen | lacrosse | Atlantic 10 | ||
University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, North Carolina | 1891 | 1994 | 1996 | Spartans | wrestling | SoCon | none | ||
Penn State University | University Park, Pennsylvania | 1855 | 2009 | 2014 | Nittany Lions | lacrosse (m) | Big Ten | |||
University of Richmond | Richmond, Virginia | 1830 | 2002 | Private | Spiders | golf (w) | Atlantic 10 | Patriot | ||
Rider University | Lawrenceville, New Jersey | 1865 | 2001 | 2013 | Broncs | wrestling | MAAC | MAC | ||
Robert Morris University | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | 1921 | 2009 | Colonials | lacrosse (m) | Horizon | ASUN (NEC in 2024) |
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Sacred Heart University | Fairfield, Connecticut | 1963 | 2005 (lacrosse) |
Pioneers | lacrosse (m) | NEC (MAAC in 2024) |
MAAC | |||
2001 (wrestling) |
2010 | wrestling | EIWA | |||||||
Saint Joseph's University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 1851 | 2010 | 2013 | Hawks | lacrosse (m) | Atlantic 10 | Atlantic 10 | ||
Villanova University | Villanova, Pennsylvania | 1842 | 2001 | 2009 | Wildcats | lacrosse (m) | Big East | |||
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg, Virginia | 1872 | 1992 | 1998 | Public | Hokies | wrestling | ACC | ||
Wagner College | Staten Island, New York | 1883 | 2001 | 2007 | Private | Seahawks | wrestling | NEC | none | |
Xavier University | Cincinnati, Ohio | 1831 | 2002 | 2013 | Musketeers | golf (w) | Big East |
Membership timeline

Full members (non-football) Other Conference Other Conference
Sports
The CAA holds championship competitions in many different sports. There are ten sports for men and thirteen for women. Some schools are "associate members" in a few sports, meaning they only compete in those specific sports within the CAA. Football is managed separately by CAA Football.
Sport | Men's | Women's |
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Baseball |
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Basketball |
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Cross Country |
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Field Hockey |
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Golf |
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Lacrosse |
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Rowing |
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Soccer |
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Softball |
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Swimming & Diving |
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Tennis |
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Track and Field (Indoor) |
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Track and Field (Outdoor) |
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Volleyball |
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Men's sponsored sports by school
School | Baseball | Basketball | Cross country |
Golf | Lacrosse | Soccer | Swimming & diving |
Tennis | Track & field (indoor) |
Track & field (outdoor) |
Total CAA sports |
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Campbell | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 | |
Charleston | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | 6 | |
Delaware | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 7 | |
Drexel | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | 6 | |
Elon | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | 6 | |
Hampton | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6 | |
Hofstra | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 | |
Monmouth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 | |
North Carolina A&T | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7 | |
Northeastern | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | 6 | |
Stony Brook | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | 7 | |
Towson | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | 5 | |
UNC Wilmington | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 8 | |
William & Mary | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 | |
Totals | 12 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 7+1 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 98+1 | |
Associate members | ||||||||||||
Fairfield | Yes | 1 |
- Men's varsity sports not sponsored by the CAA which are played by CAA schools
School | Football | Gymnastics | Ice hockey | Sailing | Squash | Wrestling |
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Campbell | CAA Football | — | — | – | — | SoCon |
Charleston | – | — | — | SAISA | — | — |
Delaware | CAA Football | – | – | – | – | – |
Drexel | – | — | — | — | Independent | EIWA |
Elon | CAA Football | – | – | – | – | – |
Hampton | CAA Football | — | — | MAISA | – | – |
Hofstra | – | – | – | – | – | EIWA |
Monmouth | CAA Football | – | – | – | – | – |
North Carolina A&T | CAA Football | – | – | – | – | – |
Northeastern | – | — | Hockey East | — | — | — |
Stony Brook | CAA Football | – | – | – | – | – |
Towson | CAA Football | – | – | – | – | – |
William & Mary | CAA Football | EIGL | — | — | — | — |
Women's sponsored sports by school
School | Basketball | Cross country |
Field hockey |
Golf | Lacrosse | Rowing | Soccer | Softball | Swimming & diving |
Tennis | Track & field (indoor) |
Track & field (outdoor) |
Volleyball | Total CAA sports |
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Campbell | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
Charleston | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 |
Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 13 |
Drexel | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 8 |
Elon | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 |
Hampton | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Hofstra | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
Monmouth | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 12 |
North Carolina A&T | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Northeastern | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9 |
Stony Brook | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 |
Towson | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 12 |
UNC Wilmington | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 10 |
William & Mary | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 11 |
Totals | 14 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 4+4 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 139+4 |
Associate members | ||||||||||||||
UC San Diego | Yes | 1 | ||||||||||||
Eastern Michigan | Yes | 1 | ||||||||||||
UConn | Yes | 1 | ||||||||||||
Villanova | Yes | 1 |
- Women's varsity sports not sponsored by the CAA which are played by CAA schools
School | Beach volleyball |
Bowling | Equestrian | Gymnastics | Ice hockey | Sailing | Squash | Triathlon |
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Charleston | Sun Belt | – | Independent | — | — | SAISA | — | – |
Delaware | — | — | — | — | — | — | – | |
Drexel | — | — | — | — | — | — | Independent | — |
Hampton | — | — | — | — | — | MAISA | — | Independent |
Monmouth | — | MEAC | — | — | — | — | — | – |
North Carolina A&T | — | MEAC | — | — | — | — | — | – |
Northeastern | — | — | — | — | Hockey East | — | Independent | — |
Towson | — | — | — | EAGL | — | — | — | – |
UNC Wilmington | Sun Belt | — | — | — | — | — | — | – |
William & Mary | — | — | — | ECAC | — | — | — | – |
Current champions
RS = regular-season champion; T = tournament champion
Season | Sport | Men's champion |
Women's champion |
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Fall 2023 | Cross country | Stony Brook | Elon |
Field hockey | – | Monmouth (RS) William & Mary (T) |
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Soccer | Hofstra & Monmouth (RS) Hofstra (T) |
Towson (RS & T) | |
Volleyball | – | Towson (RS) Delaware (T) |
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Winter 2023–24 | Basketball | Charleston (RS & T) | Stony Brook (RS) Drexel (T) |
Swimming & diving | UNCW | UNCW | |
Spring 2023 | Baseball | UNCW (RS & T) | – |
Golf | UNCW | Charleston | |
Lacrosse | Delaware (RS & T) | Stony Brook (RS & T) | |
Rowing | – | Northeastern | |
Softball | – | Delaware (RS) Hofstra (T) |
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Tennis | UNCW | William & Mary | |
Track & field (outdoor) | Northeastern | Elon |
Men's basketball
The CAA has a strong history in men's basketball. Many teams have won regular season titles and tournament championships over the years.
Men's CAA tournament championships and finalists
School | Championships | Finals Appearances | Years |
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Old Dominion‡ | 8 | 10 | 1980, 1982, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2005, 2010, 2011 |
UNC Wilmington | 6 | 12 | 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2017 |
Richmond‡ | 5 | 8 | 1984, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1998 |
VCU‡ | 5 | 8 | 1996, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2012 |
James Madison‡ | 4 | 11 | 1981, 1983, 1994, 2013 |
George Mason‡ | 4 | 10 | 1989, 1999, 2001, 2008 |
Charleston | 3 | 4 | 2018, 2023, 2024 |
Navy‡ | 3 | 5 | 1985, 1986, 1987 |
Northeastern | 2 | 5 | 2015, 2019 |
Delaware | 2 | 2 | 2014, 2022 |
Hofstra | 1 | 4 | 2020 |
Drexel | 1 | 2 | 2021 |
East Carolina‡ | 1 | 1 | 1993 |
William & Mary | 0 | 5 | — |
Elon | 0 | 1 | — |
Stony Brook | 0 | 1 | — |
Campbell | 0 | 0 | — |
Hampton | 0 | 0 | — |
Monmouth | 0 | 0 | — |
North Carolina A&T | 0 | 0 | — |
Towson | 0 | 0 | — |
‡Former member of the CAA
Women's basketball
The CAA also has a rich history in women's basketball, with many teams achieving success in both regular season play and tournaments.
Women's CAA tournament championships and finalists
School | Championships | Finals Appearances | Years |
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Old Dominion‡ | 17 | 18 | 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 |
James Madison‡ | 9 | 17 | 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
Drexel | 3 | 9 | 2009, 2021, 2024 |
Delaware | 3 | 8 | 2012, 2013, 2022 |
East Carolina‡ | 2 | 6 | 1984, 1985 |
Richmond‡ | 2 | 4 | 1990, 1991 |
Elon | 2 | 2 | 2017, 2018 |
Towson | 1 | 2 | 2019 |
Monmouth | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
American‡ | 0 | 2 | — |
George Mason‡ | 0 | 3 | — |
UNC Wilmington | 0 | 2 | — |
Stony Brook | 0 | 1 | — |
William & Mary | 0 | 1 | — |
VCU‡ | 0 | 1 | — |
Campbell | 0 | 0 | — |
Hampton | 0 | 0 | — |
North Carolina A&T | 0 | 0 | — |
Northeastern | 0 | 0 | — |
‡Former member of the CAA
Football
The CAA also has its own football league, called CAA Football.
Men's soccer
The CAA has a history of strong men's soccer teams, with many schools winning regular season titles.
All-time conference championships
School | Championships | Outright Championships | Years |
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James Madison ‡ | 7 | 7 | 1991, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2011, 2017, 2018 |
Hofstra | 5 | 3 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2023 |
UNC Wilmington | 4 | 3 | 2008, 2009, 2014, 2019 |
Elon | 2 | 0 | 2015, 2022 |
Towson | 2 | 1 | 2011, 2012 |
Villanova ‡ | 2 | 0 | 2009, 2012 |
William & Mary | 2 | 0 | 2010, 2015 |
Delaware | 1 | 0 | 2010 |
Monmouth | 1 | 0 | 2023 |
Massachusetts ‡ | 1 | 0 | 2007 |
Facilities
This table shows the main sports facilities for each school in the Coastal Athletic Association.
School | Basketball arena (Nickname) | Capacity | Baseball park | Capacity |
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Campbell | Gore Arena | 3,095 | Jim Perry Stadium | 1,250 |
Charleston | TD Arena | 5,100 | CofC Baseball Stadium at Patriot's Point | 2,000 |
Delaware | Bob Carpenter Center (The "Bob") | 5,000 | Bob Hannah Stadium | 1,300 |
Drexel | Daskalakis Athletic Center (The "DAC") | 2,509 | Non-baseball school | |
Elon | Schar Center | 5,100 | Walter C. Latham Park | 500 |
Hampton | Hampton Convocation Center | 6,000 | Non-baseball school | |
Hofstra | Mack Sports Complex (The "Mack") | 5,124 | University Field | 400 |
Monmouth | OceanFirst Bank Center | 4,100 | Monmouth Baseball Field | N/A |
North Carolina A&T | Corbett Sports Center | 5,000 | War Memorial Stadium | 7,500 |
Northeastern | Matthews Arena (men's) Cabot Center (women's) |
6,000 2,500 |
Parsons Field | 3,000 |
Stony Brook | Island Federal Credit Union Arena | 4,160 | Joe Nathan Field | 1,000 |
Towson | SECU Arena | 5,200 | John B. Schuerholz Baseball Complex | 500 |
UNC Wilmington | Trask Coliseum | 5,200 | Brooks Field | 3,500 |
William & Mary | Kaplan Arena | 8,600 | Plumeri Park | 1,000 |
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Colonial Athletic Association para niños