With the recent upheaval in college athletics, Hofstra’s conference of over 20 years, the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), is no different. Let’s go through the recent changes to fully understand the State of the CAA.
On Jan. 25, 2022, the CAA announced that Stony Brook University, Monmouth University and Hampton University will be welcomed into the conference starting July 1, 2022.
“All three institutions fit perfectly into the framework of 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,” said CAA commissioner Joe D’Antonio in a press release. “The CAA is excited for what the future holds and will continue to be focused on making decisions that ensures its membership a competitive and sustainable model.”
“I think that there’s been an effort made by the presidents and the athletic directors to really try to look down the road to see where the enterprise of college athletics is going, from a membership perspective and how we support our student athletes collectively,” said Hofstra Athletic Director Rick Cole on the topic of CAA expansion. “I’ve been optimistic about where we’re going and I’m optimistic about the opportunities it provides, most importantly, for our student-athletes here at Hofstra.”
The CAA has shown steps of doubling down on its core values, with the addition of North Carolina A&T effective July 1, 2022 and their FBS Football team joining the conference effective July 1, 2023, along with Campbell University joining as a full member on July 1 of this year, based on a decision to expand made as far back as three years ago according to Commissioner D’Antonio.
“In a time and place right now in college athletics where, from a conference membership standpoint, there’s a tremendous amount of instability,” D’Antonio said. “If you’ve been following the bouncing ball over the last month, there has been a decent amount of instability, especially in the [Power] Five conferences. In the CAA, I really feel like at this point in time, we have a tremendous about of stability.”
“There’s a lot of change that faces college athletics, I mean look at what’s going on with the [Power] Five; conference reformational has been constant since I’ve been in college athletics,” Cole said. “I think it’s been going on forever and I don’t think it’s going to slow down, that’s my opinion. Presidents and institutions are making decisions based on geography, based on finances, [trying] to be around like-minded institutions, so I do think that stability in the league is important.”
That stability, according to D’Antonio, exists as (in no particular order): geographical fit, academic fit and a commitment to elevating the existing athletics programs.
“We’re really concentrated and focused on providing the best opportunities and experiences we can for our members and our student athletes,” he said. “If we weren’t doing that, I wouldn’t be doing my job.”
“I do think there’s a passion to be committed to the overall growth and development of our student-athletes,” Cole said. “Especially as a mid-major where it can be very competitive and very tough, I think that the league has shown that it’s committed to those values and I think that’s important.”
Those same opportunities also extend beyond those of the student-athletes, going as far as media rights as seen by contract extensions with CBS Sports and FloSports. With it, FloSports, who has been in contract with the CAA since 2019, is extended to the 2026-27 season.
“Number one, we wanted an opportunity to be able to showcase our men’s and women’s basketball programs on national linear television,” D’Antonio said. “Number two, we wanted an opportunity to be able to monetize our digital rights on the streaming site. And with FloSports, we’re with a great partner that cares about the conference and is paying the conference a fairly substantial rights fee in order to have our content on their air.”
What’s unique about all this, is that even while under broadcast media contracts with FloSports, schools like Hofstra have had the chance to sign with MSG Networks, and other peer institutions like Towson University have signed with NBC Sports Washington/Monumental Sports Network to stream their games as well.
“We wanted an opportunity to be able to monetize our digital rights on the streaming site,” D’Antonio explained. “Through the great partnership with CBS and with FloSports, we’ve been able to allow our institutions to maximize their ability to utilize the local linear rights.”
Overall, the landscape of college athletics has changed. It’s up to those in it to react accordingly.
“Membership is going to be a constant agenda item for presidents and athletic directors throughout the country,” Cole said. “I just think it’s important to be aware of the landscape, you want to keep your finger on the pulse.”
Andrew Fantucchio contributed to this story.
Photo courtesy of the Coastal Athletic Association
