CAA Conference Realignment: The 2010–2014 Transition Era
Between 2010 and 2014, the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) underwent a period of significant volatility. Driven by the ambition of member schools to reach the highest levels of collegiate athletics and the shifting landscapes of regional rivalries, the conference saw a wave of departures and strategic additions. This era was defined by the transition of football programs from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)—the second tier of Division I—to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the top level of college football.
Key Facts
- UMass, Georgia State, and Old Dominion all transitioned from FCS to FBS during this period.
- VCU and George Mason departed for the Atlantic 10 (A-10) to enhance their basketball profiles.
- The CAA officially dropped wrestling as a sponsored sport after the 2012–13 season.
- Albany and Stony Brook joined CAA Football to increase scholarship limits and national competitiveness.
- College of Charleston and Elon joined the conference from the Southern Conference (SoCon).
The Push for FBS Football
The catalyst for much of the realignment began with the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass). Facing the loss of regional rivals like Northeastern and Hofstra—who dropped football after 2009—and the potential departure of Rhode Island and Villanova, UMass sought a more stable and prestigious home. To avoid rising travel costs as the CAA became more Southern-based, UMass announced its move to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) on April 20, 2011.
Because Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium did not meet FBS standards, UMass played home games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough from 2012 to 2016 while renovating their on-campus facility. This strategic move allowed the university to leverage a large alumni base near the NFL's New England Patriots stadium while limiting financial risk.
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Following UMass, Georgia State University pursued an FBS upgrade. A feasibility study highlighted the school's location in the Atlanta media market and its large enrollment as key strengths. On April 9, 2012, Georgia State announced its return to the Sun Belt Conference, beginning its transition in 2012 and achieving full FBS membership by 2014.
Old Dominion's Rapid Ascent
Old Dominion University (ODU) presented a unique case of rapid growth. Having only started its football program in 2009, ODU achieved immediate success, leading to an invitation to Conference USA (C-USA). ODU began its FBS transition in July 2013. Because C-USA did not sponsor all of ODU's sports, the university had to find alternative homes for its wrestling (MAC), field hockey (Big East), and women's lacrosse (ASUN) programs.
Basketball Shifts and the Atlantic 10 Influence
While football drove some moves, basketball prestige drove others. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) departed for the Atlantic 10 in 2012. The move was motivated by the A-10's superior track record of earning at-large bids to the NCAA tournament compared to the CAA. VCU's departure was accelerated to the 2012–13 season to avoid CAA bylaws that make departing schools ineligible for conference championships.
George Mason University followed a similar path. After the "Catholic 7" split from the Big East to form a new non-football conference, the A-10 lost several key members. This prompted the A-10 to recruit George Mason, which officially joined on July 1, 2013, reuniting the school with rival VCU and creating a local rivalry with George Washington University.
Strategic Additions and Sport Attrition
To stabilize the conference, the CAA added Albany and Stony Brook to its football membership in 2013. This move was particularly beneficial for Albany, as it allowed the school to increase its football scholarships from the Northeast Conference (NEC) limit of 38 to the FCS maximum of 63.
The conference also expanded its general membership by adding the College of Charleston and Elon University from the Southern Conference. While Davidson College was also invited, it declined the offer, citing a better mission-based fit with the SoCon and concerns over travel costs to Northeastern schools.
The Collapse of CAA Wrestling
The realignment cycle eventually made certain sports unsustainable. The departure of George Mason left the CAA with only five wrestling programs. When Binghamton, Boston University, Drexel, and Hofstra announced a move to the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA), the CAA officially dropped wrestling after the 2012–13 school year.
In other sports, the CAA added Eastern Michigan University as an associate member for women's rowing (replacing Boston University) and Fairfield University for men's lacrosse in 2015, the latter following the Big Ten's decision to begin sponsoring lacrosse.
Conference Transition Summary
| Institution | Sport/Status | Destination | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMass | Football | MAC (FBS) | 2011 |
| Georgia State | All Sports | Sun Belt (FBS) | 2012/13 |
| VCU | All Sports | Atlantic 10 | 2012 |
| Old Dominion | Football/Mixed | Conference USA (FBS) | 2013 |
| George Mason | All Sports | Atlantic 10 | 2013 |
| Albany | Football | CAA (FCS) | 2013 |
| Stony Brook | Football | CAA (FCS) | 2013 |
| College of Charleston | All Sports | CAA | 2013 |
| Elon | All Sports | CAA | 2014 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did UMass play home games at Gillette Stadium?
UMass played at Gillette Stadium because their on-campus Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium did not meet the required standards for the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) at the time of their transition. This arrangement also allowed them to be closer to approximately 120,000 alumni.
What led to the end of wrestling in the CAA?
The sport became unsustainable due to membership attrition. After George Mason left for the A-10, the league was left with only five teams. The subsequent departure of four more schools to the EIWA forced the CAA to drop the sport entirely.
Why did VCU move to the Atlantic 10?
VCU sought a higher level of basketball competition and a better chance at NCAA tournament at-large bids. The A-10 had a significantly stronger history of securing these bids compared to the CAA.
How did the move to the CAA benefit Albany's football program?
The move allowed Albany to increase its athletic scholarships from the NEC limit of 38 to the full FCS maximum of 63, significantly increasing their ability to recruit and compete.
Why did Davidson College decline the CAA's invitation?
Davidson valued the mission-based fit of the Southern Conference over the potential financial gains of the CAA. Additionally, the school was concerned about the increased travel costs associated with the CAA's Northeastern footprint.