CAA Basketball Tournament Moved From D.C. to James Madison

Right before the pandemic put college basketball (as well as our lives) on hold, the Colonial Athletic Association snuck in their conference tournament at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in our nation’s capital. The venue was perfect for the event, even as whispers of COVID-19 grew louder as the tournament progressed. It was the first year of a three-year agreement between the conference and venue, but with all that’s transpired the 2021 CAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has been moved to James Madison’s campus.

“We are continuing to make decisions that provide our student-athletes with the safest means to participate in intercollegiate athletics during a very challenging period of time,” CAA commissioner Joe D’Antonio said in a press release.

All 10 schools will participate in the tournament, which is keeping its March 6-9 schedule.

Per TJ Eck of WHSV, JMU was so attractive because the campus “has multiple facilities that can host games and practices.”

James Madison is in the middle of its inaugural season at Atlantic Union Bank Center, and they also have the Convocation Center, the Dukes’ former home.

“We’re looking forward to providing the league’s student-athletes with an outstanding experience in our first-class facility as we bring one of the CAA’s premier events to Harrisonburg,” James Madison AD Jeff Bourne said via the Dukes’ official website. “This season has been unique in nearly every way and I can’t thank our athletics staff enough for adapting to constant changes.”

As of now, the tournament is still set to be in D.C. after the 2021-22 season.