RICHMOND, Va. - As part of its commitment to addressing the issues of racial and social injustice and inequality, the Colonial Athletic Association has launched a new conference-wide platform entitled, CAA Family – United For Change. The name for the platform was created by the CAA's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
Over the past few months, the conference has conducted town hall meetings with its administrators, coaches and student-athletes to discuss issues plaguing our nation and how meaningful change can occur on each campus. The groups have proposed numerous action items which the CAA has begun to implement.
 
The conference has produced two 30-second public service announcements featuring CAA student-athletes which will be shown on websites, game broadcasts, video boards and social media outlets. One encourages people to get out and vote in upcoming elections. The other promotes the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement.
 


The CAA has adjusted its men's basketball schedule to have all 10 teams competing in special games on Martin Luther King Day. Each school will have promotions and educational programming to help celebrate the day. CAA women's basketball teams will also pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. King with special events in conjunction with games on the weekend prior to the holiday. In addition, there will be "unity" games in a number of Olympic sports during the 2020-21 season that will bring attention to racial and social injustice issues.
 
Committees within the CAA SAAC group have been formed to encourage student-athletes to exercise their right to vote on Election Day (November 3, 2020). 


 
The conference's website, CAASports.com, has added a page devoted to the CAA Family – United For Change initiative. It includes written and video content promoting the great work being done by student-athletes and coaches on a variety of topics related to race.