American Sues CAA Over Ban

WASHINGTON (AP) _ American University sued the Colonial Athletic Association on Monday for the right to participate in the conference's postseason tournaments.

American, which plans to leave the CAA for the Patriot League after the 2001 athletic season, filed its suit in the District of Columbia's federal district court.

CAA fined American $250,000 and banned it from participation in tournaments as punishment for leaving the conference.

Officials with American said they are not contesting the fee, just the ban.

``The conference action targets all student-athletes and coaches for harsh sanctions without cause,'' American President Benjamin Ladner said.

CAA commissioner Thomas Yeager could not be reached for comment.

American is one of three schools leaving the CAA at the end of the athletic season. The University of Richmond is joining the Atlantic 10 conference, and East Carolina is going to Conference USA.

With the departure of three teams, the CAA has considered uniting with the America East conference, an alliance that would establish a 16-team conference. Recent reports indicate the proposed merger is not likely.

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