On July 1, at 12:00 a.m. Elon University officially left the Southern Conference to become a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
When the clock struck midnight on July 1st, Elon University said goodbye to the Southern Conference where it had spent the last 11 years, to become a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
The move was announced during a press conference on May 23rd, 2013.
“The CAA is a venerable Athletic Conference, and ideal fit for Elon today as well as the Elon University that we envision for the future,” said Elon University President Leo Lambert.
CAA commissioner Tom Yeager echoed this as he spoke about Elon’s recent rise on the national scene not only athletically but also academically and believes the CAA truly understands the meaning of “student-athete”.
“While we have alums like Joe Flacco and Justin Verlander the vast majority of our student-athletes don’t earn their livings professionally,” said CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager.
The move will be a costly one for Elon as they will have to pay the Southern Conference an exit fee of $600,000 to go along with the $300,000 they will pay the CAA to join.
One of the key factors that influenced the move is the CAA footprint. Elon already attracts many students from the region and has alumni located in many of the states.
Infographic courtesy of Elon Athletics
“We anticipate great parent and alumni support in the towns that we will now visit,” said Dave Blank, Director of Elon Athletics.
The CAA will also give Elon more television exposure around the country, which is sure to help with recruiting.
“We are excited about the extensive regional and national television coverage that the Colonial offers,” said Blank. “Contracts with NBC Sports and Comcast in particular.”
The Colonial Athletic Association has produced 16 national team champions in 5 different sports along with 33 individual national champions.
“Our work is cut out for us but we are confident that our coaches and student-athletes are up for the challenge.”
Watch the full press conference from May 23rd, 2013: 
2014 Elon Phoenix Football Schedule
Date: Opponent: Location:
Sat, Aug 30 @Duke DURHAM, N.C.
Sat, Sept 13 VS N Carolina A&T ELON, N.C.
Sat, Sept 20 VS Charlotte ELON, N.C.
Sat, Sept 27 @Coastal Carolina CONWAY, SC
Sat, Oct 4 VS New Hampshire ELON, N.C.
Sat, Oct 11 @Delaware NEWARK, DEL.
Sat, Oct 18 VS Stony Brook ELON, N.C.
Sat, Oct 25 VS Richmond ELON, N.C.
Sat, Nov 1 @Towson TOWSON, MD.
Sat, Nov 8 @William & Mary WILLIAMSBURG, VA.
Sat, Nov 15 VS Maine ELON, N.C.
Sat, Nov 22 @James Madison HARRISONBURG, VA.
*Bold = Conference Game