Rhode Island's Bjorn Announces Rams To Stay In CAA Football
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island will remain a member of CAA Football, it was announced today by director of athletics Thorr Bjorn. On Aug. 7, 2012, the Rams were extended an invitation to stay in the league by CAA commissioner Tom Yeager.
"We are very appreciative of the CAA, Commissioner Yeager and all the football-playing member institutions for the re-invitation to stay in the league. They have made it clear that the University of Rhode Island is a very important and long-standing member of their association," Bjorn said.
"All the institutions in the conference are thrilled that Rhode Island has accepted our invitation to remain in the conference," Yeager said. "As a charter member dating back to 1946, URI is a valued member and an important rival for many of our schools. We are very excited that the addition of new members Albany and Stony Brook will quickly establish even more rivalries for our five Northeast institutions, strengthening all the programs."
Previously, on Nov. 22, 2010, Rhode Island had announced its intention to become an associate member of the Northeast Conference in the sport of football, beginning with the 2013 season.
"I would like to thank Northeast Conference Commissioner Noreen Morris as well as all of the Presidents and Athletic Directors from the NEC for the original invitation to join the league as an associate member for football," Bjorn added. "We made the original decision to accept the NEC invitation to ensure the sustainability of URI football, which could have been compromised for geographical reasons.
"As has been the case in college athletics over the past number of years with conference realignment, institutions have made numerous choices to align and adjust to an changing landscape," Bjorn explained. "The recent changes in CAA football membership - the addition of Stony Brook and Albany and loss of southern schools Old Dominion and Georgia State - we felt that it makes the most sense for URI to remain in the CAA."
URI is a charter member of CAA Football. The league was formed on Dec. 3, 1946 as the Yankee Conference with five other New England-based land grant colleges. The Atlantic 10 gained control of the league from 1997-2006 before the league became CAA Football, beginning with the 2007 season
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