CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Colonial Athletic Association is sending its men’s basketball tournament to the farthest southern location on its geographic footprint.

The league, which includes Delaware, announced on Thursday afternoon that the tourney will be held at the North Charleston (S.C.) Coliseum for the next three seasons, beginning in 2017.

The event has been held in Baltimore the past three years after moving from Richmond, Va.

Besides the host College of Charleston, the next closest CAA school is UNC-Wilmington, which is 171 miles away. The most distant league school, Northeastern, is 980 miles from Charleston.

“Charleston has long been considered one of top tourist destinations in the United States,” CAA commissioner Tom Yeager said. “Our fans will enjoy a variety of activities and the outstanding hospitality of the Lowcountry along with some terrific college basketball.”

The conference opened a RFP process last fall to solicit regions and venues for championships in 2017 and beyond. The Charleston group’s proposal was supported unanimously by the CAA’s Athletic Directors.

“We've had a great run in Baltimore and it has been an opportunity to showcase exciting CAA basketball in a new market,” Yeager said. “We thank the fans, the city of Baltimore, its business community and Royal Farms Arena for their support.”

The North Charleston Coliseum seats 11,000 for basketball and has recently invested over $21 million in enhancements.