Courtesy of Merrimack Athletics 

Villanova University announced on Thursday that the football program is going to be leaving the CAA and joining the Patriot League. The Wildcats join William & Mary and Richmond in making the move to the Patriot League. In the past four years, James Madison, Delaware, William & Mary, Richmond and Villanova have all left the CAA. At one time, those were the top five programs in the conference. Now they are all gone. 

So where does the CAA go from here? Well, they have some vacancies now and while they could fill those vacancies with schools from the Mid-Atlantic or Southeast, they should consider expanding in the Northeast and add Merrimack and Sacred Heart. 

The idea of Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University joining CAA Football presents a compelling case for expansion that could benefit all parties involved.

Both Merrimack and Sacred Heart are relatively recent movers in the Division I FCS sphere. Merrimack transitioned from Division II, while Sacred Heart has been a consistent performer in the Northeast Conference (NEC) for years, recently moving to FCS Independent status. They both bring established athletic programs and a commitment to competitive football.

Here’s why their addition to CAA Football makes strategic sense:

1. Geographic Fit and Regional Rivalries: The CAA Football conference has a strong presence across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Merrimack, located in North Andover, Massachusetts, and Sacred Heart, in Fairfield, Connecticut, fit seamlessly fit into this geographic footprint. This proximity would reduce travel costs for both the new additions and existing CAA members, shorter travel distances translate to significant financial savings.

The move would also foster more regional matchups against teams like Rhode Island, Maine, Bryant and New Hampshire. The additions could ignite fresh fan interest and create compelling in-state or regional rivalries.

Adding Merrimack and Sacred Heart would also spark fan engagement. It would make for easier travel for away games and would encourage more fan attendance, boosting game-day atmospheres and revenue.

2. Bolstering Conference Strength and Depth: The CAA has historically been one of the strongest conferences in FCS, regularly sending multiple teams to the playoffs and even competing for national championships. While it has recently seen some departures (like Villanova, Richmond and William & Mary to the Patriot League, and Delaware to Conference USA), adding Merrimack and Sacred Heart would help replenish the league’s numbers and competitive depth.

Both Merrimack and Sacred Heart have shown flashes of strong play and being competitive, demonstrating their ability to compete at the FCS level. Their inclusion would keep the overall competitive balance of the conference high.

As a premier FCS conference, the CAA benefits from having a robust membership. Adding these institutions helps maintain its reputation and allure for future recruits and media partners.

3. Providing Stability for Merrimack and Sacred Heart: For Merrimack and Sacred Heart, joining the CAA would offer much-needed stability and a higher profile for their football programs.

It would also guarantee scheduling. As FCS Independents, Merrimack and Sacred Heart face the challenge of piecing together a full schedule each year. A conference affiliation provides a consistent slate of games, which is crucial for program development and recruitment.

It would give both schools the opportunity to compete in the FCS playoffs. While both schools have competed in the NEC, the CAA offers a clearer and more direct path to the FCS playoffs due to its higher standing and often multiple bids.

The increased exposure and more revenue could potentially allow both schools to build up their facilities, which they would need to do in order to play in the conference long term.  Membership in a conference like the CAA brings increased media exposure, which can help with recruiting, fundraising, and overall institutional visibility. The resources and infrastructure of a larger, more established conference would also be beneficial.

4. Alignment with Academic and Athletic Profiles: The CAA has a strong academic reputation, and both Merrimack and Sacred Heart are well-regarded private institutions with a commitment to academic excellence. This alignment ensures a good cultural fit within the conference.

The potential addition of Merrimack College and Sacred Heart University to CAA Football is a win-win scenario. It would strengthen the CAA’s competitive standing and geographic footprint, while providing Merrimack and Sacred Heart with the stability, exposure, and competitive platform necessary for their continued growth in FCS football. As conference realignment continues to reshape the collegiate athletic landscape, this move would be a strategic and beneficial one for all involved.