Georgia State’s football program will compete as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association beginning in 2012. The Panthers will play the next two seasons as an independent.

“The inclusion of Georgia State University’s program in CAA Football is another step forward in our journey toward the fall 2010 inaugural kickoff for Georgia State football,” said Georgia State President Mark Becker. “CAA Football has emerged as the premier Football Championship Subdivision in the nation, and that athletics success is matched by an exemplary commitment to excellence in academics and scholarship. This is a perfect partnership for Georgia State in every dimension.”

CAA football members include Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison, Northeastern, Towson, William and Mary, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Richmond, Rhode Island, and Villanova. Old Dominion will become a football-playing member of the CAA in 2011. Georgia State will be the 14th team.

Five CAA football programs participated in the NCAA championship in 2008, including Richmond, which won the national title. Four CAA football teams have won the title since 1998, and three have finished second.