As has been expected for the past month, VCU will announce as soon as this week that they will be joining the A10 as it’s 14th member. The A10 had been in discussions with Butler, VCU and GMU for some time. When Temple left for the Big East, Butler was first tabbed as a replacement. When Charlotte announced they were leaving for CUSA, the conference had only 1 spot available for the #14 spot. There had been some discussion of the A10 growing to 16 schools, but that scenario was only in play is ODU were to have joined with Butler, VCU and GMU. But with ODU exploring a move to CUSA, and expected to make the move, it meant there were formal A10 invitations for only Butler and VCU.

The addition of VCU gives the A10 a second recent Final Four school, along with 2 time finals participant, Butler. With the A10 recent conference office move to Virginia, and the departure of Philadelphia school, Temple, the A10 also seems to have an unofficial geographic shift to the DC/VA area with George Washington (DC), Richmond and now VCU in the conference.

VCU will join for the 2012-2013 season.

The loss fo VCU, Georgia St. and perhaps ODU will further deplete the CAA membership. VCU, ODU and GMU account for virtually allt he success of the conference over the past 7 years. With football sponsorship a top CAA motive, it means that the CAA will likely need to replace Georgia St. and ODU (should ODU leave) with 2 all-sport members with football. Stony Brook and Coastal Carolina are considered top candidates. If Appalachian St. is left out of any Sun Belt or CUSA expansion, the school might consider some initial thoughts about teaming up with CAA members such as JMU, Delaware, Villanova, W&M, etc in CAA football. Another option for the CAA would be to expand to the north with UNH and Maine. Liberty was thought to be a candidate, but with their FBS upgrade goals, they are less likely a candidate.