The Colonial Athletic Association, by way of a vote at its annual president’s meeting in Washington D.C., has raised the conference’s exit fee to $1 million, though the new regulation will not affect those members who have already departed the conference, namely Virginia Commonwealth and Old Dominion.
“This was the first opportunity for our Presidents to meet in person since the conference realignments began last April,” CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager said in a statement. “I was impressed by the commitment and camaraderie expressed throughout the day, which produced an aggressive growth agenda to strengthen the conference for the future.”
The conference came to agreements on other topics of note, including moving forward and beginning to fund a CAA digital network hosted by the NBC Sports Group.
With teams leaving the conference, the CAA also reviewed a status report that outlined efforts to increase conference membership.
Also completed, via the conference’s release:
- Engaged in a lengthy discussion and reached a conclusion regarding the conference rule relating to championship participation. Several points still need additional clarification before the decision will be announced.
- Revised the revenue distribution plan to increase the financial reward for institutions achieving the performance criteria in men’s basketball.
A number of appointments were made, as well, per the same statement:
Patrick Harker, President of the University of Delaware - NCAA Board of Directors (four-year term)
Jeff Hathaway, Vice President and Director of Athletics at Hofstra University - NCAA Leadership Cabinet
Nick Gannon, Deputy Director of Athletics at Drexel University - NCAA Championships and Competition Cabinet
- Selected UNCW Chancellor Gary Miller to begin a two-year term as Chair of the Council of Presidents and UNCW Director of Athletics Jimmy Bass to begin a two-year term as conference President
Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_