CAA Football has announced a 16th member to its conference effective July 1, 2024 — Bryant University from the Big South.
The conference continues to grow as the biggest in the FCS.
Meanwhile, the Big South is down to three football members (Charleston Southern, Gardner-Webb, Robert Morris). The CAA has recently added Campbell, Hampton, Monmouth, and NC A&T from the Big South.
The Big South does have a football association with the OVC, forming one joint league with one playoff auto-bid. Those OVC members are Eastern Illinois, Lindenwood, SEMO, Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, and UT Martin. Western Illinois is leaving the MVFC for the OVC in 2024.
“I would like to thank Commissioner Joe D’Antonio and the board of directors in the CAA for extending this invitation and giving our football student-athletes this incredible opportunity,” Bryant Vice President of Athletics & Recreation Bill Smith said. “This move aligns with Bryant University’s bold vision for the future and will provide our student-athletes the opportunity to compete in what has proven to be one of the best FCS football conferences in the country.”
Bryant is located in Smithfield, Rhode Island.
CAA Football members include University at Albany (Albany, N.Y.), Campbell University (Buies Creek, N.C.), University of Delaware (Newark, Del.), Elon University (Elon, N.C.), Hampton University (Hampton, Va.), University of Maine (Orono, Maine), Monmouth University (West Long Branch, N.J.), University of New Hampshire (Durham, N.H.), North Carolina A&T State University (Greensboro, N.C.), University of Rhode Island (Kingston, R.I.), University of Richmond (Richmond, Va.), Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, N.Y.), Towson University (Towson, Md.), Villanova University (Villanova, Pa.) and William & Mary (Williamsburg, Va.).
“We are excited to welcome Bryant University as the newest member of the CAA Football Conference,” CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said. “Bryant is an outstanding academic institution that features a successful and competitive football program. Both of those attributes fit perfectly into the Conference’s vision that calls for our membership to work together to advance nationally competitive athletic programs – coupled with outstanding academic programs – that empower student-athletes as whole persons to strive at the highest level in every aspect of their lives. The CAA continues to be focused on making decisions that ensures its membership a competitive and sustainable model.”
