GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY TO JOIN THE CAA
GSU President Carl V. Patton & CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager
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ATLANTA, GA. (May 24, 2004) - Commissioner Thomas E. Yeager today announced that Georgia State University will join the Colonial Athletic Association effective July 1, 2006.
“Today is an exciting day for the CAA,” said Yeager. “In the ever changing landscape of college athletics, we are thrilled to add Georgia State University to what we think is already an impressive roster of academic institutions. Our geographic footprint will stretch from the shadow of the Statue of Liberty to Atlanta, Ga., resulting in increased exposure for the CAA in one of the nation’s top media markets. Georgia State’s broad based program fits nicely with those of our existing members and the university will help enhance our branding initiative as we stretch further south into one of the nation’s most vibrant metropolitan areas.”
Currently a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, Georgia State fields teams in 15 sports in which the CAA conducts championships. The Panthers will become the CAA’s 11th member and join the University of Delaware, Drexel University, George Mason University, Hofstra University, James Madison University, UNC Wilmington, Old Dominion University, Towson University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the College of William & Mary. The CAA conducts championships in 21 sports with NCAA automatic qualifiers in 15 of those sports.
“This is a very exciting change for Georgia State,” said Georgia State Univeristy President Carl Patton. “While we have certainly enjoyed our 20-year association with the Atlantic Sun Athletic Conference, joining the CAA provides Georgia State the opportunity to compete with other institutions that are similar in size and scope.
“This change is also great for metro Atlanta and will bring many first-time visitors and CAA alumni to the city,” he added.
Georgia State anticipates participating in CAA athletic events beginning in fall 2006, Patton said. The Atlantic Sun requires a two-year notification from institutions intending to leave its conference.
“We are very pleased with the invitation to move to the Colonial Athletic Association,” said Georgia State Athletic Director Greg Manning. “The success of Georgia State's student–athletes in the classroom and in competition has been extraordinary, and our coaches and athletes are looking forward to the challenge of competing in the conference. We are fortunate to be joining a very impressive group of institutions and are committed to the ideals of the CAA.”
Prior to adding Georgia State, the conference last expanded in 2001 when Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra and Towson joined the CAA. The conference, which is headquartered in Richmond, Va., regularly showcases student-athletes, coaches and administrators who stand out not only on the playing field but also in the classroom. CAA member schools boast 15 national team champions in four different sports, 33 individual national champions, 11 national coaches of the year, 11 national players of the year, 12 Honda Award winners, 16 NCAA post-graduate scholars, five Rhodes Scholars as well as a pair of Nobel Prize winning faculty.
CAA Membership History
June 6, 1985 - The CAA is formally announced at a press conference at the University of Richmond. Charter members include American University, East Carolina University, George Mason University, James Madison University, U. S. Naval Academy, UNC Wilmington, University of Richmond and the College of William & Mary.
May 10, 1990 - Navy announces that it will leave the CAA at the end of the 1991 school year for the Patriot League.
May 18, 1990 - ODU announces plans to leave the Sun Belt to join the CAA effective with the 1991-92 school year.
February 9, 1995 - Virginia Commonwealth University announces that it will join the CAA effective June 30, 1995.
October 11, 1999 - East Carolina accepts an invitation to join Conference USA beginning in 2001-02.
April 24, 2000 - American announces that it will take steps to join the Patriot League for the 2001-02 academic year.
May 24, 2000 - The University of Richmond accepts an invitation to join the Atlantic 10 effective in 2001-02.
December 13, 2000 - It is announced that Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra and Towson will join the CAA.
May 24, 2004 - Georgia State University announces that it will join the CAA.