LOUISVILLE, KY. (WDRB) -- Presidents from seven Catholic schools in the Big East Conference this afternoon released an official statement that they are collectively leaving the Big East. From the statement:
Earlier today we voted unanimously
to pursue an orderly evolution to a foundation of basketball schools
that honors the history and tradition on which the Big East was
established. Under the current context of conference realignment, we
believe pursuing a new basketball framework that builds on this
tradition of excellence and competition is the best way forward.
We
are grateful to our Commissioner, Michael Aresco, for his exceptional
leadership of the Big East Conference. We have been honored to be
associated with the outstanding group of institutions that have made up
the Big East. While we pursue this opportunity for our institutions, we
believe the efforts of the past two years have established the
foundation for an enduring national football conference.
We look
forward to building this new foundation with an emphasis on elite
competition and a commitment to the development of our students engaged
in intercollegiate athletics. That is where we will now spend our
energy as we move forward.
The schools announced no timetable for their departure, and further details and ramifications of their move are unclear. Big East commissioner Mike Aresco and the remaining Big East presidents also released a statement, affirming their intent to move forward as a league:
The
basketball institutions have notified us that they plan to withdraw
from the BIG EAST Conference. The membership recognizes their
contributions over the long distinguished history of the BIG EAST. The
13 members of the Conference are confident and united regarding our
collective future. We have a strong Conference with respected national
universities, and are working together to forge the future. We have a
variety of options, and are looking forward with great partnership,
collegiality and optimism.
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