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Miami Herald
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
After Villanova's exit, is the CAA still worth it for HBCUs?
With Villanova - the third founding CAA football program in two years - announcing it will depart after the 2025 season to join the Patriot League as a football?only associate member in 2026, the Coastal Athletic Association faces another significant shake-up. The league's football membership will shrink from 16 to just 12 teams, following the recent exits of Richmond, William & Mary, and Delaware (moving up to FBS). Amidst this conference upheaval, HBCU institutions Hampton and North Carolina A&T now face mounting uncertainty about their athletic competitiveness and academic positioning in the rapidly shifting CAA conference landscape. When Hampton University and North Carolina A&T left the MEAC for the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), it was presented as a significant realignment opportunity for HBCU athletics. The move promised more exposure, stronger competition, and academic alignment. But with multiple CAA schools departing, the question HBCU fans are asking: Did the move deliver? Since 2020, five key CAA football programs have left or announced plans to leave: James Madison (to FBS Sun Belt, 2022)Delaware (to Conference USA, 2025)Richmond (to Patriot League, 2025)William & Mary (to Patriot League, 2026)Villanova (to Patriot League, 2026) That leaves a restructured and arguably weakened CAA, especially for football. For HBCU additions like Hampton and NC A&T, the competitive landscape and cultural relevance of the conference are now in question more than ever. When the Aggies and Pirates joined the CAA, they carried with them the heart of HBCU football-the drumlines, community-centered tailgates, vibrant student sections, and deeply rooted rivalries. These elements are core to the HBCU game day experience, where cultural celebration meets athletic competition. The CAA, a conference consisting of predominantly white institutions (PWIs), offered little in terms of that unique ambiance. As a result, many fans have struggled to connect with the new conference environment. For example, Hampton has seen a decline in home game attendance, averaging just over 4,000 fans. Meanwhile, NC A&T drew 23,016 fans for its 2024 Homecoming game against Hampton-an impressive turnout that underscores how deeply HBCU traditions still resonate. However, without traditional rivals and familiar pageantry week after week, the experience feels less electric. As one NC A&T alum told HBCU Gameday in 2023, "I feel like the culture has slipped away…when it comes to the football family." This cultural disconnect has fueled ongoing debates about whether the benefits of CAA membership outweigh the intangibles lost. Before joining the Coastal Athletic Association, both Hampton and North Carolina A&T were dominant HBCU programs in the MEAC: NC A&T won seven MEAC football titles, four Celebration Bowl victories, and built one of the nation's top HBCU track and field claimed five MEAC football championships, consistent success in men's and women's basketball, and sent athletes to NCAA tournaments in track, tennis, and other sports. These programs helped define HBCU athletics on and off the field. Their departures left a major gap in not only MEAC competition but the overall landscape of HBCU football, especially in the Celebration Bowl, the official HBCU National Championship Game. North Carolina A&T's move aligned with its goal of becoming an R1 research institution. In a statement to HBCU Gameday in 2022, Athletic Director Earl Hilton said, 'The CAA is consistent with our academic and athletic aspirations. The (then-maned) Colonial already has four institutions of R1 status, and we're moving in that direction.' Hampton's then-president, Dr. William R. Harvey, echoed this in January 2022 to 13News Now: "I have always been very interested in the concept of the student-athlete, which means a focus on academics and top athletics… This is a risk, but it's not a gamble." However, with Delaware and James Madison exiting the CAA, only Stony Brook and Albany remain as R1 institutions, undercutting the academic synergy that helped justify the move. Hampton ended the 2024 season 5-7, including a dominant Homecoming win over NC A& Aggies struggled through a rebuilding year in football and are still adjusting to the stiffer competition in the CAA basketball conference. Off the field, A&T's track and field continues to excel nationally. Hampton's Olympic sports, while competitive, have not replicated past dominance within the CAA structure. CAA prestige hasn't produced playoff berths or national rankings for either HBCU. The big question buzzing around the HBCU community. Could these HBCU programs return to the MEAC? Some fans and analysts are discussing a potential new HBCU superconference that would revive cultural traditions and regional rivalries. The Celebration Bowl, ESPN coverage, and renewed investment in HBCU sports elevate this possibility. Still, any conference shift would require planning, media deals, and strategic coordination among institutions. This isn't just a discussion about football. It touches on identity, culture, and community. Hampton and NC A&T took a calculated step to grow their platforms. But as the CAA's foundation shifts, the question is whether they are building a new legacy or turning away from what made HBCU sports great. Should Hampton and NC A&T double down on the CAA, return to the MEAC, or help create a new HBCU movement? The post After Villanova's exit, is the CAA still worth it for HBCUs? appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Reuters
5 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Report: Villanova football leaving CAA for Patriot League
June 5 - The Villanova football program is leaving the Coastal Athletic Association to join the Patriot League, ESPN reported Thursday. The move will take effect in 2026 for the Wildcats, who joined the CAA (formerly Colonial Athletic Association) of the Football Championship Subdivision in 2007. Villanova finished 10-4 last season (6-2 CAA) and lost in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. The Patriot League's members include Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh. Villanova previously competed in the Atlantic 10 (1997-2006) and Yankee conferences (1987-96). The school's basketball programs are members of the Big East Conference. --Field Level Media
Boston Globe
7 days ago
- General
- Boston Globe
Warren Churchill comes through with singles victory, lifting Medfield over Wakefield and into D3 quarterfinals
Churchill responded to the pressure with a brilliant third set to cap off a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory that took three hours, pushing the fifth-seeded Warriors (14-2) to a 3-2 win over No. 12 Wakefield (12-7). Advertisement 'He stuck to his game plan,' said Bielik. 'At the hardest part of the match, physically, his mental focus was still there to stick to the plan.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The Warriors earned key victories from their doubles pairs, Sam George and Fisher Roberts (6-0, 6-0), and Jackson Razza and Lewis Bormann (6-0, 6-3). 'Each team works really well together,' Bielik said. 'All season, they have really gelled as doubles teams, and it is such a pleasure to watch them play in their matches.' Division 2 State Hingham 4, Burlington 1 — With Patriot League MVP Ethan Warhaftig legging out a 6-2, 2-6, (10-4) win at first singles, the second-seeded Harbormen (19-1) earned a second-round victory over No. 15 Burlington (14-6). Eric Li won at second singles 6-2, 6-1, and the duos of Teddy Reilly/Evan Lynch (6-2, 6-4) and Ryan Chang/TJ Meade (6-2, 6-1) added doubles wins. Advertisement Division 4 State Monomoy 5, Bourne 0 — The third-seeded Sharks (19-3) cruised to a second-round sweep over No. 14 Bourne (9-11), winning all five matches in straight sets. Roman Pavluchenko (6-1, 6-1), Ryan Casey (6-0, 6-0), and Zack Shields (6-1, 7-6 [8-6]) earned singles wins. The tandems of Nick Hadden and Blake Noonan (6-2, 6-2) and Tom Hereford and Ethan Seufert (6-4, 6-1) earned doubles victories. Girls' tennis Division 2 State Hingham 5, Ursuline 0 — The fourth-seeded Harborwomen (19-1) won all five matches in straight sets to defeat No. 20 Ursuline (12-6) in the second round. In singles, Sam Ruddick (6-2, 6-4), Sanya Khadivi (6-1, 6-1), and Hannah Mello (6-3, 6-4) earned wins. Sammy Price and Gabi Magner (6-0, 6-4) and Mia Sacco and Maddie Cusack (6-0, 6-0) won in doubles. Boys' volleyball Division 1 State Lexington 3, Weymouth 0 — With a balanced serving attack and a strong block, the fifth-seeded Minutemen won 25-15, 25-10, 25-16 over 21-seed Weymouth in the second round. Junior Nicolas Sanchez de Rojas (12 kills, 2 aces, block assist) hit .647 from the outside and senior Alessandro Luciani slammed a team-high 15 kills to go with four aces and two block assists. Xander Jackson (3 kills, 3.5 total blocks) and Kolbey Manuelian (3 kills, 4 block assists) were also instrumental at the net. Lexington (20-2) advances to face No. 4 Newton North (15-7) in the quarterfinals Friday (4:30 p.m.). Henry Dinh-Price can be reached at
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Full Preview of the Chapel Hill NCAA Baseball Tournament Regional
Full Preview of the Chapel Hill NCAA Baseball Tournament Regional Can the Diamond Heels advance out of a loaded field? Postseason baseball is officially here – and if you haven't been following college baseball this season, your North Carolina Tar Heels are playing their best baseball right now. UNC (42-12, 18-11), which dominated Clemson to win the ACC Tournament as a 3-seed, will host an NCAA Tournament Regional as the fifth national seed. Oklahoma, Nebraska and Holy Cross all join the Diamond Heels in Chapel Hill, compiling one of the postseason's tougher fields. North Carolina will open its Regional slate against Holy Cross (31-25, 17-8) on Friday, May 30 at 12 p.m. If UNC beats the Patriot League champion Crusaders, UNC will advance to face the winner of Oklahoma-Nebraska on Saturday at 6 p.m. The Diamond Heels aren't the only conference tournament champion in the Chapel Hill Regional. Nebraska (32-27, 15-10) beat UCLA to capture the Big 10 Tournament Championship, while Holy Cross downed Army West Point to win the Patriot League. Oklahoma (35-20, 14-16) escaped Kentucky and Georgia in the SEC Tournament, but fell to Vanderbilt in Game Three. Just because North Carolina is hosting a regional, doesn't mean it'll advance to host a Super Regional. UNC nearly watched its season end against LSU in the 2024 Chapel Hill Regional, but mounted a late comeback and advanced to host West Virginia. With how they ended the season, though, I'd be shocked if the Diamond Heels don't advance past the Regional Round. It doesn't help North Carolina's case it welcomes some of the top non-hosting teams in the NCAA Tournament, but if I've learned anything about UNC baseball in 2025, it's that no challenge is too large to overcome. Chapel Hill Regional Seeds/Schedule #1 Seed – North Carolina #2 Seed – Oklahoma #3 Seed – Nebraska #4 Seed – Holy Cross Friday, May 30 Game 1: No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 4 Holy Cross | 12 p.m. Game 2: No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Nebraska | 5 p.m. Saturday, May 31 Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (Elimination game) 12 p.m. Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 | 6 p.m. Sunday, June 1 Game 5: Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 - 12 p.m. (Elimination Game) Game 6: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 4 - 6 p.m. Monday, June 2 Game 7: (If necessary) Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 - Time TBA Position Players to Watch UNC – Jackson Van De Brake, Kane Kepley After being relegated to a reserve role in 2024, Van De Brake, the Diamond Heels' captain, is taking full advantage of his senior season. Van De Brake is currently hitting .314 (third best amongst North Carolina hitters) with 64 hits, including a UNC-best 15 doubles. Kepley, a speedster in the outfield, is arguably the Diamond Heels' top offseason transfer. UNC needed to replace its entire starting outfield from 2024, but Kepley slides in perfectly. Kepley is mashing .293 with 60 hits, a team-best six triples and 38 stoles bases. Oklahoma – Easton Carmichael, Jason Walk Carmichael is a beast at the dish, leading the Sooners with a .321 batting average, 71 hits, 14 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .588 slugging percentage. Walk also sports the power-speed combo so many teams covet – three triples, eight home runs, 17 stolen bases and an Oklahoma-best 12 doubles. Nebraska – Cayden Brumbaugh, Dylan Carey There are top-tier hitters scattered across the Cornhuskers' lineup, but if I had to pick two guys to watch, I'm looking at Brumbaugh and Carey. Brumbaugh leads Nebraska with 74 hits and 27 walks, while his 18 doubles and .316 batting average are second-best on the team. Carey is arguably the Huskers' top slugger, leading his teammates with 20 doubles, 40 RBIs, plus tying with Tyler Stone for a team-best eight home runs. Holy Cross – Chris Baillargeron, CJ Egrie Baillargeron is mashing a Crusaders-best .386, plus he leads his teammates with 76 hits and 52 RBIs. Egrie is hitting .311, but he does his most damage on the basepaths, stealing a team-high 35 bases and scoring a team-best 67 runs. Pitchers to Watch UNC – Aidan Haugh, Jake Knapp Haugh is an integral part of the Diamond Heels' star-studded, 3-man rotation. Going into the Chapel Hill Regional, Haugh carries a 5-4 win-loss record, 3.74 ERA and 73 strikeouts. Knapp isn't just North Carolina's ace, but one of the top pitchers across college baseball. Knapp, the 2025 ACC Pitcher of the Year, carries a UNC-best 12-0 win-loss record, 2.17 ERA and 78 strikeouts into the Chapel Hill Regional. Oklahoma – Kyson Witherspoon, Dylan Crooks What the Diamond Heels have in Knapp, the Sooners have in Witherspoon. The unquestionable ace of Oklahoma's pitching staff, Witherspoon leads his teammates with 10 victories and 120 strikeouts, with the latter statistic tied for sixth-best in the nation. It's difficult to find strong closers in college baseball, but Crooks is one of the country's elite bullpen arms. Crooks leads Oklahoma and is tied for third nationally with 14 saves, plus he carries a team-best 1.86 ERA. Nebraska – Ty Horn, Luke Broderick Horn sports a concerning 5.29 ERA, but he leads the Cornhuskers with 70 strikeouts. Broderick is another top-tier closer, anchoring Nebraska's bullpen with a team-best 12 saves, tied for fifth nationally. Holy Cross – Danny Macchiarola, Jaden Wywoda The Crusaders have not one – but two – 9-game winners on their pitching staff. Macchiarola leads Holy Cross with a 3.02 ERA and 91 strikeouts, while Wywoda's 9-2 win-loss record is best amongst starters. Chapel Hill Regional Winner – Prediction The Chapel Hill Regional carries an extremely tough field, but I like the Diamond Heels to advance – with three wins in three games. UNC is loaded across its starting lineup, while UNC's pitching staff is a massive upgrade from 2024.
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
College baseball tournament bracket winners and losers starts with SEC
The NCAA baseball tournament bracket is headlined by the SEC, which as a deserving reward for another dominant regular season was assigned half of this week's regional host sites and placed 13 schools in the tournament's 64-team field. This is totally unsurprising: SEC teams rank No. 2, No. 3, No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll entering the tournament while the league has 11 teams in the Top 25. The league's regional hosts includes Texas, which will look to rebound from an early exit from the SEC tournament, and Tennessee, the defending national champions. The eight hosts tie the tournament record from one conference previously set by the SEC in 2023 and the 13 teams set a new record. Three ACC teams will play host for the regionals in North Carolina, Florida State and Clemson. Big Ten newcomers Oregon and UCLA are hosts, as are Coastal Carolina and Southern Mississippi from the Sun Belt and Oregon State, an independent. Regional play feature four teams in a double-elimination format. Winners will advance into best-of-three super regional play next weekend. Beginning with the SEC, here are the biggest winners and losers from the World Series bracket: Winners The SEC The full list of hosts: No. 1 Vanderbilt, No. 2 Texas, No. 3 Arkansas, No. 4 Auburn, No. 6 LSU, No. 7 Georgia, No. 10 Mississippi and No. 14 Tennessee. Joining this group are Alabama, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Florida and Kentucky. As you can tell, there is simply no conference that's close to the SEC. As in the NCAA softball tournament, the SEC has so many teams in the field, and so many near the top of the bracket, that the league is the undeniable favorite to bring home the national championship. Of course, the SEC has won the past five crowns and six of the past seven. North Carolina After capturing the ACC tournament for the second time in four years, No. 5 UNC is the highest-ranked seed from outside the SEC. The Tar Heels will also draw what look on paper like a friendly regional that includes Oklahoma, Big Ten tournament champion Nebraska and Patriot League winner Holy Cross. UNC will open against the Crusaders, who needed extra innings to win the clinching game against Army and capture their second conference title in program history. Oregon State Playing as an independent with the Pac-12 on hiatus, No. 8 Oregon State was able to corral a path toward hosting a super regional thanks in large part to a strong RPI ranking and a very challenging non-conference schedule that was mostly loaded with road games. This is a huge deal for the Beavers, who have gone 30-7 in regional games played at Goss Stadium. Coming out of the weekend against the group of TCU, Southern California and Saint Mary's would put Oregon State on track to host its super regional. That the Beavers drew a top-eight seed has to be tough for rival Oregon to swallow after the Big Ten regular-season co-champions swept a four-game set in late April. Losers Texas A&M After going all the way to the championship series against the Volunteers last season and beginning this year ranked No. 1, the Aggies were unable to find a groove and fell short of the tournament despite making a late run in the SEC tournament. In doing so, A&M became the first preseason No. 1 team to miss the bracket since 1991, painting the Aggies as one of the biggest letdowns in the recent history of college baseball. You can point to a brutal schedule loaded with ranked competition, injuries to a few key returning contributors and the drop in offensive production as the culprits behind this unexpected swoon. But there's no sugarcoating just how disappointing this season was for A&M. The Big 12 Arizona State, Kansas State and Oklahoma State sneaked into the tournament as three of the last teams to be selected, joining TCU, Arizona, Kansas, Cincinnati and West Virginia to give the Big 12 eight teams in the bracket. That a good chunk of these teams just barely cracked the 64-team tournament helps show where the league stands in the national picture, however. None of the Big 12 teams will host a series this weekend. But keep an eye on Arizona in the regional hosted by Oregon; the Wildcats' pitching heads into the tournament on fire, with starters allowing just one run in the past 22.1 innings. Georgia Another Big 12 team that could make some noise is Oklahoma State, the third seed in the regional hosted by No. 7 Georgia. The Bulldogs might have the toughest draw of any host, in fact, with the Cowboys joined by Duke and Binghamton. While Georgia has the talent, confidence and experience to advance to the second weekend, the Bulldogs will be tested by the Cowboys and Blue Devils, two opponents capable of pulling off an upset and reaching super regional play. Georgia has eight players with at least 10 home runs, led by Robbie Burnett's 20 and all-league pick Slate Alford's 17, but will need to get even more from pitcher Brian Curley, who has developed into the Bulldogs' No. 1 arm.
