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College Conference · NCAA Division I

Coastal Athletic Association

The CAA — the East Coast's historic mid-major league, renamed from Colonial to Coastal in 2023.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
Founded1985 (roots 1979) · renamed 2023
DivisionNCAA Division I

What is the Coastal Athletic Association?

The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) is a Division I conference of universities along the Atlantic seaboard, from Massachusetts to the Carolinas, with FCS football run through a companion football conference.[1] [2]

Members and sports

Members include the College of Charleston, Towson, UNC Wilmington, Northeastern, Hofstra, Drexel and Monmouth. The league sponsors a broad championship program including swimming & diving.[1]

Since when does it exist?

Rooted in the ECAC South of 1979, it became the Colonial Athletic Association in 1985 and took its current Coastal name in 2023.[1]

Why does the Coastal Athletic Association matter?

CAA basketball has produced famous March runs (George Mason's and VCU's Final Fours as members), and its championships carry four decades of Division I standing on the East Coast.[1] [2]

References

  1. CAA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  2. NCAA — About the NCAA. Accessed August 2026.