Disbanding the CAA

The CAA at present is in a real state of disarray.

The 2005 expansion was designed to bring big television markets and secure the status of the league as an elite FCS league. That plan has failed miserably because the league did not have the foresight to predict the cancellation of the Hofstra and Northeastern football programs or the defections of the upwardly mobile ODU, VCU, and GSU programs. The CAA is now left with 9 schools with radically different agendas and a geographic footprint spanning from Boston to Wilmington: Northeastern and Hofstra--these schools were the ones who jeopardized the football league. They are an odd geographic fit and their primary, if not only, concern is basketball. They want to expand in the north. It's too bad the CAA can't ask them to go back to America East. Drexel--Drexel is a Philadelphia basketball school that longs for the Big 5 to be the Big 6. They'd probably prefer a northern school but ultimately they want the best basketball school willing to join irregardless of their location because Drexel needs the CAA to be a league that can gain At-Large bids to the NCAA Men's BB Tourney. Delaware and James Madison--Both of these schools would love to find a league willing to let them play FBS football as an affiliate. They need CAA football at the moment but would defect if they had the opportunity. However its doubtful that both will get that chance so at least one of them will be left wedded to the CAA William & Mary and Towson--These schools were comfortable in the old CAA line up but I think the recent shake up has them both concerned. I have to think that the Patriot League is eyeing them and they are also eyeing the Patriot. As for their view on CAA expansion, they no doubt want to drag the footprint South. George Mason--Another school that only cares about basketball. I don't think they are too picky about where future members come from so long as they bring a good RPI. George Mason would probably vote NO on any expansion candidate with a football program. UNC Wilmington--This school's agenda is clear--we want Southern schools who play good basketball; they'll veto any expansion school North of the Mason Dixon. What I see as a potential result of the infighting and indecision of this league is that the all sports members of this league beginning to think about alternatives to sticking with the dysfunctional CAA.  The Patriot League strikes me as a conference that could be potentially on the prowl.  I once pegged that league as a classy, academic minded league whose membership was pretty much static.  However in recent months they have caught the college sports world completely off guard.  First, they took advantage of America East's weakness by swiping Boston University and then they snatched the Loyola Greyhounds from the MAAC.  I think this conference would very much like to have William & Mary and by extension, Towson, who once played football with them at the turn of the millennium.  As the William & Mary Tribe goes so does the Richmond Spiders football team.  This would turn the Patriot into a 12 member all sports league with 10 football members (and of those 10, Fordham, Georgetown, and Richmond would be affiliates). The loss of the schools would create a massive gap in the CAA footprint.  UNC Wilmington would be the soul Southern school.  I think the America East would then step in to offer its "assistance".  America East could have its pick of the league and could take as many as 6 schools if they so chose.  Northeastern, Hofstra, and Drexel would fit nicely in their current footprint.  Delaware would be a beautiful add as well.  They would give UMBC a true travel partner and their football program would secure America East's takeover of the football conference.  George Mason offers the best basketball program of the lot as well as a foot into Washington D.C.  James Madison is kind of a question mark.  They have the best football program but they are a clear FBS flight risk.  If it were up to me I'd leave them out of the deal and let them figure out their own path.  As the 14th member of this league I'd take Central Connecticut St.  The result is fairly consise footprint with natural travel partners: Upper New England--Maine & Vermont Eastern New England--New Hampshire & Northeastern Connecticut--Central Connecticut St & Hartford Upstate NY--Binghampton & Albany Long Island--Stony Brook & Hofstra Delaware Valley--Drexel & Delaware D.C. Area--UMBC & George Mason Here is what the football conference would look like (affiliates marked with asterisks): Maine New Hampshire Rhode Island* Central Connecticut St Albany Stony Brook Villanova* (if they don't go to the Patriot) Delaware and less likely: James Madison* (if no one in FCS grabs them) UMass* (if they are booted from the MAC) The America East would then be in a position to declare open season on NEC football, grabbing as few or as many football affiliates as they wanted.  Bryant, Sacred Heart, Wagner, Monmouth, St Francis, Robert Morris, and Duquesne could all be thrown into the mix.