HBCUs at a Crossroads Amid CAA Turmoil

The Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) is experiencing a major realignment, with Villanova set to become the fifth football program to depart by 2026. This wave of exits casts serious doubt on the conference’s football future and has significant implications for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) like Hampton University and North Carolina A&T.

These two institutions left the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with hopes of gaining greater exposure, stronger competition, and academic synergy through CAA membership. However, the departure of key programs like James Madison, Delaware, and Richmond has weakened the CAA’s athletic profile, making it harder for member teams to achieve national prominence.

Culturally, the transition has also been fraught. The CAA lacks the deeply rooted HBCU traditions that define Black college football, such as vibrant homecomings and community-focused game day experiences. Hampton has seen a drop in attendance, while NC A&T continues to draw large crowds at HBCU-centric events, highlighting a cultural mismatch.

On the field, both programs have had mixed results. NC A&T, a former MEAC powerhouse, has struggled in football but remains competitive in track. Hampton has seen flashes of success without regaining its past dominance.

With the CAA’s future uncertain, Hampton and NC A&T now face critical choices: remain in a shifting conference, return to their HBCU roots, or potentially lead a new Black college athletic alliance. Their next move will impact not just athletics, but broader cultural and community identities.