Conference History

Formed in 1989, this eleven-member coalition of four-year, co-educational institutions promotes intercollegiate athletic competition among schools located in close geographic proximity that have similar educational and athletic philosophies. The Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) strives to develop a harmony of good feeling and a spirit of competitive sportsmanship, fellowship, and uniformity of practice among member institutions. Conference members are required to operate their intercollegiate athletic programs under the highest ethical standards and to maintain a program consistent with the overall educational philosophy of the member institutions.

Charter members of the conference were: Catholic University, Gallaudet University, University of Mary Washington, Marymount University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and York College of Pennsylvania. Goucher College was accepted for membership in 1991 and Salisbury University was accepted in 1993; Villa Julie College and Hood College were accepted in December 2005, while Wesley College was accepted in January 2006.

Catholic University and Goucher College both withdrew from the conference on June 1, 2007, to become founding members of the Landmark Conference.

The first president of the conference was Bill Finney of Marymount University. In June 1993, Richard C. Cook was appointed as the first commissioner.

In 1991-92, the first Conference All-Sports Award, given annually to the Conference institution that accumulates the most points toward the "total" athletic program, was awarded to Mary Washington.

Throughout the years, the Conference has produced many All-American athletes and more than a normal share of our teams have participated in NCAA Championships. Please refer to the Conference Record Book for more detailed information of team and individual performances.