On Tuesday, the Colonial Athletic Association announced the addition of three new schools to the conference. Hampton University, Monmouth University and Stony Brook University will put the CAA at 12 members starting July 1, 2022 following the departure of James Madison University.

Hampton University is a private institution in Hampton, Virginia. The Pirates feature a softball team that was off to a great 15-4 start in 2020 before the shutdown and then did not play a 2021 season.

Monmouth University is another private institute, from West Long Branch, New Jersey. The Hawks feature multiple great programs including the women’s soccer team and the men’s tennis team, who each have five NCAA Tournament appearances in the last six seasons. The men’s soccer team is also on the rise, not only reaching the NCAA Tournament in the spring but winning a game against a very good Pittsburgh team.

Stony Brook University is a public school located in Stony Brook, New York. The Seawolves baseball team has notched 30 wins in the last three full seasons including a 2019 NCAA Tournament appearance. The women’s basketball program has had incredible success recently, boasting an 81-19 record over the last four seasons. The women’s soccer program is also a consistent threat, making NCAA Tournament appearances in three of the last five seasons.

These additions not only add some more conference games to UNCW’s athletic schedule, but they tack on some miles too, with Monmouth and Stony Brook both over 500 miles away from Wilmington.