Updated

The University of Rhode Island will remain a member of CAA Football, director of athletics Thorr Bjorn announced Tuesday.

URI had announced in November 2010 that it would join the Northeast Conference for football only beginning next year, but the Colonial Athletic Association recently asked the Rams to consider staying in its conference.

URI was a charter member of the CAA - then known as the Yankee Conference - in 1946.

"We are very appreciative of the CAA, Commissioner (Thomas) Yeager and all the football-playing member institutions for the re-invitation to stay in the league," URI athletic director Thorr Bjorn said. "They have made it clear that the University of Rhode Island is a very important and long-standing member of their association."

With the recent additions of Albany, from the NEC, and Stony Brook, from the Big South Conference, for the 2013 season, CAA Football will have 11 teams, with a decidedly more northern base than one month ago. The members will be Albany, Delaware, James Madison, Maine, New Hampshire, Richmond, Rhode Island, Stony Brook, Towson, Villanova and William & Mary.