NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - – Christopher Newport University will be one of the founding institutions of a newly imagined Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) as it undergoes improvements and expansion that will give Captains an opportunity to compete against teams from across the United States. The conference announced plans today to expand to 11 member institutions, as league officials introduced six schools that have accepted invitations to join the CAC and become official members effective June 15.

The CAC board of directors voted unanimously to offer full membership to the six members of the American Collegiate Athletic Conference (ACAA). The new CAC members include the University of California, Santa Cruz; Finlandia University (Michigan); Mills College (California); Mount Mary University (Wisconsin); Pine Manor College (Massachusetts) and Pratt Institute (New York).

The CAC will now consist of 11 full-time members for the 2020-21 academic year. The conference will then reduce to eight schools in the 2021-22 academic year when Southern Virginia University, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Pine Manor College depart. Christopher Newport, the University of Mary Washington and Salisbury University will remain in the CAC along with the incoming members from the ACAA.

"I am thrilled that as the collegiate athletics landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace, our student-athletes will be able to maintain rivalries against Mary Washington and Salisbury while we extend our reach and competitive opportunities across the country," Christopher Newport Director of Athletics Kyle McMullin said. "This conference is unique. It affords our students championship experiences that they will treasure for a lifetime, while allowing Christopher Newport the flexibility to shape our schedules to best prepare our teams for success in the classroom and in competition."

The majority of Christopher Newport's athletic teams, with the exception of football, began competition in the CAC in the 2013-14 academic year. The CAC was originally formed in 1989, and is a coalition of four-year, co-educational institutions. Christopher Newport became a member of the Dixie Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1972, and the Captains continued as a full member when the league changed its name to the USA South Athletic Conference in 2003. As the bulk of Christopher Newport's athletic programs made the switch to the Capital in the fall of 2013. Christopher Newport football remained in the USA South and later became, and will continue to be, a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The football program is not affected by today's expansion announcement.

"The Capital Athletic Conference is pleased to welcome these six institutions as the league's newest members," University of Mary Washington President Dr. Troy Paino, chair of the CAC board of directors, said. "We look forward to the bright future that this newly structured league will be able to offer our schools and student-athletes."

"Mills College is excited to be joining the CAC at a time when working together to support our student-athletes is especially critical. Kudos to many hardworking people and institutions that have made this happen, and I look forward to seeing Mills Cyclones compete in the new conference," said Dr. Beth Hillman, Mills College President and Chair of the ACAA Presidents Council.
 
"This is an exciting, new era for the Capital Athletic Conference. The addition of these six schools will provide excellent opportunities for both our institutions and our student-athletes to experience new venues and conference opponents," Salisbury University Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation and Chair of the CAC Athletic Council, Dr. Gerry DiBartolo, said.  "I am thankful to the leadership of the CAC Board of Directors for its guidance in leading this expansion effort."

The conference is expected to be rebranded with a new name and logo over the coming months.

Pine Manor College, which recently entered into a memorandum of understanding with Boston College, will participate in the Conference for one academic year.
 
The CAC conducts conference championships in 18 sports (eight men's and 10 women's). Men's championships include cross country, soccer, basketball, indoor track and field, lacrosse, baseball, outdoor track and field, and tennis. Women's championships include cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball, indoor track and field, lacrosse, softball, outdoor track and field, and tennis.

CAC Expansion Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 
Q: When will these institutions officially become members of the CAC?
A: June 15, 2020.
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Q: Which sports will have automatic qualification into the NCAA tournament?
A: Baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, women's volleyball.
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Q: Will member schools compete in regular-season competition?
A: No (see below).
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Q: Will field hockey, men's lacrosse and women's lacrosse continue to be sponsored by the CAC?
A: Yes. The incoming institutions do not sponsor these sports, but the CAC will continue to play regular season schedules and host championships for field hockey and lacrosse.
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Q: In what sports will conference championships be held?
A: Baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track and field (indoor and outdoor), women's volleyball.
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Q: How will championship events be conducted?
A: Championship host sites will be pre-determined at the start of each year.
 
For the 2020-21 academic year, in tournaments where six teams compete, the top four CAC teams as determined by conference standings will qualify for the championship. Massey Ratings will then be used for seeding.
 
For the 2020-21 academic year, the top two teams from the ACAA, using Massey Ratings, will advance to the conference tournament. The tournament qualifying and seeding deadline for ACAA schools will be three Mondays in advance of the first conference championship date for all sports where all teams are not invited to the tournament.
 
Beginning with the 2021-22 academic year, seeding in conference tournaments will be done solely by the Massey Ratings.
 
The host institution is automatically invited to the championship tournament in both years.
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Q: How do student-athletes benefit from being in a conference that stretches from coast-to-coast?
A: The CAC will continue to conduct quality championship experiences for our student-athletes and institutions. Our student-athletes will be given the opportunity to travel to and compete against a diverse group of institutions across the nation.