In a surprising move, Stony Brook announced it has accepted an invitation to join the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) as a full-time member beginning July 1, 2022. They had previously been a member of the America East Conference since 2001. The move will be effective July 1, 2022.
All 18 Stony Brook athletic programs will be in the conference, marking the first time that has occurred in the school’s Division-I era.
The move was first reported by Kevin Maher of News 12 last night and confirmed by the school today. Athletes had only recently found out about the move last week. The school’s Athletic Director, Shawn Heilbron, had the following statement:
“I’m very excited to announce that Stony Brook University will join the Colonial Athletic Association. This invitation is a historic step for our institution and a testament to our tremendous growth – both in academics and athletics – over the last two decades,” said President Maurie McInnis. “Today would not be possible without the dedication of our student-athletes and coaches, who have paved the way for this moment. Our future is bright, and we look forward to competing for CAA Championships for years to come!”
So what does it mean for the baseball program? That remains to be seen but Stony Brook had remarkable success in the America East, winning six titles including the historic College World Series run in 2012. The CAA will represent a significant challenge. For starters, there will be a lot more travel with schools as far south as North Carolina. Additionally, the talent pool will be a step up from the America East.
I’ve seen first hand the talent at schools like UNC-Wilmington and Elon not to mention Northeastern, who went 36-12 last year.
The most interesting aspect will be the launch of a new rivalry. Hofstra and Stony Brook don’t play often. In fact, they haven’t played since 2010 and only 21 times total (12 wins for Stony Brook). This means they will not only be competing for the top players in the region but also for bragging rights. Hofstra has been rejuvenated with the addition of former Major Leaguer Frank Catalanotto as the Head Coach so this should make for some compelling action.
