It would seem that there has been a great deal more negotiations with the CAA than previously thought, if in fact Charleston only takes 7 teams to CAA. The Cougars sponsor a total of 21 athletic teams, but would be taking only men’s and women’s basketball; baseball; softball; men’s and women’s soccer; and volleyball to the CAA.
Charleston does sponsor several sports that are not offered by either the CAA or SoCon, such as sailing, equestrian, and sand volleyball. Those sports already have conference homes outside of the Southern Conference. With a move to the CAA, the Cougars will then need to find new conference homes for men and women's cross country; men and women's golf; men's and women's swimming & diving; men and women's tennis; and women's track & field. I don't see any circumstances where the SoCon would allow CoC to remain a conference member in those sports.
If Charleston does in fact move to the CAA, they will not be moving as an "all sports member" if only taking 7 teams out of 5 different sports. I do remember that the CAA rejected UNC-C for football only membership with the CAA Football conference (which is a separate stand-alone football conference from the regular CAA), because they wanted them join as an "all sports member" or nothing. I wonder what's different this time, or are they so desperate for what they perceive as a good basketball team, that they were willing to make this type deal with Charleston to get their men's basketball team?
According to the chairman of College of Charleston’s athletics committee, the Cougars can handle the higher costs of travel in a move to the CAA, and taking only 7 teams is the reason.
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