Departing CAA schools can’t win titles

RICHMOND, Va. — Colonial Athletic Association Commissioner Tom Yeager says members leaving the conference after the coming year will not be allowed to compete for its championships next season.

Yeager said Tuesday that CAA presidents decided last week to uphold bylaws that make departing schools ineligible for championships with automatic NCAA tournament bids.

In football, that means Conference USA-bound Old Dominion will not be eligible for the league title. Georgia State already was ineligible under NCAA rules because it plans to join the Football Bowl Subdivision in April.

In basketball, the presidents’ decision eliminates Old Dominion and Georgia State from title eligibility.

The CAA also is losing 2011 Final Four participant Virginia Commonwealth, which will join the Atlantic 10 next month.