BIG EAST NOW AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

NEW NAME IN COLLEGE SPORTS:
CURRENT BIG EAST ENTERS NEW ERA AS ‘AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE’

Conference Board of Directors unanimously endorses new name

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The current Big East Conference has announced that it will be renamed the American Athletic Conference and will rebrand as such across all platforms, associations and media at the conclusion of the 2012-13 sports seasons. The announcement was made today by Commissioner Mike Aresco after unanimous approval by the Conference’s Board of Directors.

“We worked with our institutions, sports marketing experts, media partners, and also solicited opinions and reactions from collegiate sports fans to create a compelling list of names,” said Aresco. “Versions that included the word ‘American’ led every list. American Athletic Conference represents a strong, durable and aspirational name for our reinvented Conference.
“We engaged our fans through social media and focus groups in multiple cities, and we conducted extensive quantitative research,” Aresco added. “We also received terrific input from our partners at ESPN and CBS Sports. Our name is a nod to tradition, but at the same time makes clear our determination to be a Conference with national impact and appeal. The American Athletic Conference will represent core American values of optimism, energy, growth and innovation. We have a broad geographical footprint that represents unity as well as diversity.”

“Our exciting new name is the result of a thorough process that has energized our Conference,” said Judy Genshaft, President of the University of South Florida and Chair of the Executive Committee. “The American Athletic Conference brand will embody the values of competition and sportsmanship that our student-athletes have always exemplified.”

“The American Athletic Conference is a brand that suggests a national scope and quality membership,” said Burke Magnus, Senior Vice President, College Sports Programming, ESPN. “It is an exciting time for the new conference and ESPN looks forward to our future together.”

“We congratulate the American Athletic Conference on the selection of a terrific new name for college sports,” said Sean McManus, Chairman, CBS Sports. “We look forward to partnering with The American as they introduce their new brand and increase their presence as a conference going forward.”

Beginning with the 2014-15 academic year, the American Athletic Conference will consist of the University of Central Florida, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Connecticut, East Carolina University, the University of Houston, the University of Memphis, Southern Methodist University, the University of South Florida, Temple University, Tulane University and the University of Tulsa. The U.S. Naval Academy will become a football-only member in 2015. With 12 football schools in the fold by 2015, it will play a football championship game.
A full set of marks for the American Athletic Conference will be presented in the coming weeks.

ARESCO ISSUES STATEMENT

BIG EAST Commissioner Mike Aresco Statement Regarding Conference Name—

“We have not chosen a new conference name at this time and there are no favorites. We are going through a thoughtful evaluation of potential names for our conference, and will select a name in a timely manner through a comprehensive and deliberate process that involves our presidents and athletic directors as well as constituents from inside and outside the conference. We are excited about the prospect of re-branding and look forward to working with our institutions and our fans as we engage in this process.”

LOUIVILLE LEAVES BIG EAST

STATEMENT OF BIG EAST COMMISSIONER MIKE ARESCO
REGARDING DEPARTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE

We enjoyed having Louisville in the Big East Conference and we wish them well.

The Big East has anticipated the continuing realignment that is reshaping college athletics and has already made important additions as part of our vision for the future. We will continue moving forward to fulfill that vision, which includes a strong national football conference and a strong and storied basketball conference. Big East teams will continue to compete and succeed at the highest level and, as always, will combine athletic and academic excellence. With schools stretching from coast to coast and in many of the top U.S. media markets, the Big East has become a truly national conference with outstanding young men and women competing across a full range of sports.

We are committed to a vibrant and dynamic future for the Big East Conference.

BIG EAST ADDS EAST CAROLINA FOR FOOTBALL

EAST CAROLINA JOINS BIG EAST AS A FOOTBALL MEMBER

PROVIDENCE – BIG EAST Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced the addition of East Carolina University, one of the nation’s emerging research institutions, as a conference member that will compete in the BIG EAST in the sport of football.

The BIG EAST Board of Directors, by a unanimous vote of its Presidents, extended the invitation to East Carolina. ECU will begin BIG EAST football competition in the 2014 season.

“We are very excited to welcome East Carolina University into the BIG EAST Conference for football,” said Aresco. “They have a strong football tradition and a consistently successful program that will help elevate our football league. The University is an outstanding academic institution that reflects the values important to the BIG EAST Conference.”

“ECU is excited to become a football member of the BIG EAST Conference,” said ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard. “We know we will be successful and add value to the BIG EAST. While hundreds of dedicated Pirates have contributed to this day, I especially want to recognize the relentless energy of Terry Holland and Nick Floyd in making this day a reality. It is a great day to be a Pirate.”

Founded in 1907 in Greenville, N.C., East Carolina University is a 105-year-old public university and research institution that is nationally recognized for preparing rural family physicians, educational professionals and for its strong performing arts programs.

It enrolls 27,500 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students and is North Carolina’s largest producer of education and primary care professionals. It operates the Brody School of Medicine, a new school of Dental Medicine and a growing undergraduate Honors College in Greenville.

On the football field, East Carolina has been a consistent winner. The Pirates went to five straight bowl games and won two conference championships from 2006-10. Under third-year head coach Ruffin McNeill, ECU has compiled an 8-4 regular-season record this season, which included a 7-1 conference mark. The Pirates will be headed to their 18th bowl game.

The ECU football team plays in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium that has a capacity of 50,000. The team has averaged more than 47,000 fans per game in each of the past three seasons.

The BIG EAST has previously announced new members that will begin playing football in the 2013. Those schools are: Boise State University, University of Central Florida, University of Houston, University of Memphis, Southern Methodist University, San Diego State University. Tulane University will begin play in 2014. The Naval Academy will start BIG EAST football play in 2015.

BIG EAST ANNOUNCES CHANGES

TULANE UNIVERSITY JOINS BIG EAST CONFERENCE

PROVIDENCE – Commissioner Mike Aresco has announced the addition of Tulane University, one of the most highly regarded and selective independent research institutions in the United States that boasts one of the oldest and most storied athletics programs in the Southeast, as a full conference member.

The BIG EAST Board of Directors, by a unanimous vote of its Presidents, extended the invitation to Tulane, which will begin competing in the BIG EAST in the 2014-15 academic year.

“I am pleased and excited to welcome Tulane University to the BIG EAST Conference,” said Aresco. “Tulane University is an outstanding academic institution and is committed to excellence in athletics. They will be a valued member of the BIG EAST.”

Founded in 1834, Tulane is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, an association of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada. Located in New Orleans, Tulane has an enrollment of 13,359. The university is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a university with “very high research activity.”

“Tulane University is pleased to accept membership in the BIG EAST Conference,” said President Scott Cowen. “The BIG EAST is a distinguished collection of institutions that will be a wonderful home for Tulane. We look forward to our mutual association and we are delighted to welcome the BIG EAST to the Big Easy!”

Tulane sponsors 16 sports, 10 women’s teams and six men’s teams. The women’s sports are basketball, tennis, indoor track and field, outdoor track and field, cross country, golf, swimming and diving, bowling volleyball and sand volleyball. The men’s sports are football, baseball, basketball, tennis, outdoor track and field and cross country.

Tulane’s football team currently plays in the Mercedez-Benz Superdome. The school is building a new football venue, Yulman Stadium, which will have a capacity of 30,000. It is expected to be completed in 2014. Tulane’s men’s and women’s basketball teams compete on campus at Devlin Fieldhouse. A majority of BIG EAST games will be played at New Orleans Arena.

The football team is coached by Curtis Johnson, who is in his first season. The men’s basketball program is led by coach Ed Conroy who is in his third year. The Green Wave won 15 men’s basketball games last season and are off to a 4-2 start this season.

Lisa Stockton is the head women’s basketball coach. She is the winningest coach in Conference USA history with 372 victories. During her tenure, the Green Wave have enjoyed a nine-year streak of NCAA Tournament berths, four regular-season conference championships and five conference tournament titles.

The baseball program has earned five regular-season conference championships, eight conference tournament crowns and has played in the College World Series twice in the last 11 years. The men’s tennis program has won eight national championships.

Over the last eight years, Green Wave student-athletes have been among the highest achievers nationally in the classroom, according to the most recent multi-year Academic Performance Rates (APR).

The BIG EAST has previously announced other new full members that will be begin playing in 2013. Those schools are: University of Central Florida, University of Houston, University of Memphis, and Southern Methodist University and Temple University. Boise State University and San Diego State University will compete only in football. The Naval Academy will start BIG EAST football play in 2015.

BIG EAST RELEASES STATEMENT ON RUTGERS

STATEMENT OF BIG EAST COMMISSIONER MIKE ARESCO
REGARDING DEPARTURE OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

Although we are disappointed that Rutgers has decided to leave the Big East Conference, we wish them well. They have been a valued member of the Conference for many years.

We realize that conference realignment is currently a fact of life in college sports. In the context of this realignment, changes in our membership have been taking place, including important additions. In fact, the Big East has expanded its scope with new members in California, Texas, Florida, Idaho, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. As a result, the Big East has created a unique national football conference that is a factor in the BCS Championship, remains the nation’s strongest basketball conference top to bottom, and is a major force across the full spectrum of men’s and women’s college sports. We remain committed to, and confident in, the continued growth and vitality of the Big East Conference.

BIG EAST TO CONTINUE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

BIG EAST, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN REACH LONG-TERM EXTENSION

The World’s Most Famous Arena Will Continue To Host Basketball Championship

NEW YORK –The BIG EAST Conference and Madison Square Garden have agreed to a multiyear extension of their contract that will keep The BIG EAST Championship, the nation’s premier college basketball conference tournament, in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Madison Square Garden has been the home of The BIG EAST Championship since 1983.

It is the longest running conference tournament at the same site in college basketball. “Madison Square Garden has been the BIG EAST’s home for 30 years,” said Commissioner Mike Aresco, “and has produced some of the signature moments in college basketball history. We are happy that our teams will continue to bring the excitement of BIG EAST basketball to the Garden.” Joel Fisher, executive vice president, MSG Sports added “Madison Square Garden is thrilled to be extending our relationship with The BIG EAST, an outstanding partner for 30 years.

The BIG EAST Tournament is perennially one of The Garden’s most widely anticipated events, and routinely features all the excitement, passion and suspense of the very best in college basketball. As the mecca of basketball, there’s no question that the transformed, state-of-the-art Madison Square Garden arena is the perfect setting for unforgettable BIG EAST moments for years to come.” Since moving to Madison Square Garden in 1983, more than 3.3 million fans have attended the event, including the last seven years, which have been advance sellouts.

The BIG EAST Championship is also a staple of the New York City sports calendar, tracing its history back to the mid-1980s when Chris Mullin’s St. John’s team won the first tournament at the Garden and Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing, took the 1984 and 1985 titles. More recently, the tournament produced a game for the ages, a six-overtime contest between Connecticut and Syracuse in 2009.

\In 2011, Connecticut won an unprecedented five games in five days to win the tournament title en route to the Huskies’ national championship. Louisville captured the 2012 crown. The 2013 BIG EAST Championship will be held March 12-16.

MARINATTO OUT AS BIG EAST COMMISH

Providence, R.I. — The BIG EAST Conference today announced the resignation of Commissioner John Marinatto.

“After a great deal of thought and prayer, I have decided to step down as Commissioner of the BIG EAST Conference and formally advised our Board of Directors,” stated Marinatto. 

“I have been associated with this league for my entire adult life and have had the tremendous honor of serving as its Commissioner since 2009.   Our recent expansion efforts have stabilized the Conference for the long term, and we are likewise well positioned for our very important upcoming television negotiations. 

“As a result, I felt this was the right time to step aside and to let someone else lead us through the next chapter of our evolution.  I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish and would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank both our membership and my staff for their unwavering encouragement, support and loyalty — especially during this past year.  I am extremely confident about the future of this league that I love very much.”

“I know I speak for the entire Conference when I express my sincere gratitude to John for his leadership and dedicated years of service,” said Dr. Judy Genshaft, President of the University of South Florida and Chair of the BIG EAST Conference. “John helped build the BIG EAST into what it is today, and played a critical role in our successful expansion efforts, and for all of that we thank him.”

Joseph A. Bailey III will today assume the position of interim Commissioner of the BIG EAST until a new Commissioner is selected.  Bailey has extensive experience in the global sports industry as a leader, advisor and recruiter. He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Dolphins, Chief Operating Officer of the World League/NFL, Vice President of Administration of the Dallas Cowboys and other senior positions.  Most recently, he has served as the Managing Director of RSR Partners, a leading executive recruiting firm.

“Joe is a proven leader who will do a terrific job guiding the conference through this time of transition,” said Genshaft.  “His experience as a manager and his knowledge of the sports industry make Joe uniquely qualified to serve as interim
Commissioner.  He will move the Conference forward with a steady-hand as we explore new opportunities.”

“The BIG EAST has a terrific future,” said Bailey. “I’m excited to participate in shaping a new structure and strategic plans for the Conference, and I look forward to engaging on these matters with the leadership of all of the Conference’s members, old and new alike.”

The Conference also announced that it has retained The Boston Consulting Group to review its organizational design and structure.  As the BIG EAST transitions to a National conference, its members will take this opportunity to position the
Conference to maximize its media rights, branding and other strategies.

The search for the new Commissioner of the BIG EAST will be chaired Dr. Gregory H. Williams, the President of the University of Cincinnati and a member of the BIG EAST Executive Committee.

BSD REPORTING LIVE FROM BIG EAST TOURNEY & THE BRUINS GAME TONIGHT. !

BSD will keep you updated on the Big East Tourney going on at MSG as well at the Bruins vs Buffalo game @ The Garden!

KEVIN & MARK HARRIMAN

BIG EAST GOES WEST !

BIG EAST CONFERENCE GOES WEST

ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF FIVE UNIVERSITIES

Central Florida, Houston, Southern Methodist Become Full Members

Boise State, San Diego State Become Football Members

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The BIG EAST Conference formally announced the addition of five prestigious universities to its ranks today, bringing its football membership to 10 and securing a strong core group of FBS schools as it expands into two divisions and works toward its goal of staging an annual conference football championship game.

The University of Central Florida, University of Houston and Southern Methodist University have accepted full membership into the BIG EAST while Boise State University and San Diego State University will compete as members in the sport of football.  The BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors, by a unanimous vote of its Presidents, extended the invitations for membership.  UCF, Houston and SMU will begin competing in all BIG EAST-sponsored sports in the 2013-14 academic year, while Boise State and San Diego State will start competing in football in the 2013 season.

“Over the last 32 years, the BIG EAST Conference has constantly evolved along with the landscape of college athletics,” said BIG EAST Commissioner John Marinatto.  “The inclusion of these five great Universities, which bring a unique blend of premier academics, top markets, strong athletics brands and outstanding competitive quality, marks the beginning of a new chapter in that evolution.  We are proud to welcome these schools to the BIG EAST family.

“Much like the conference as a whole, the BIG EAST name — though derived 32 years ago based on the geography of our founding members — has evolved into a highly respected brand that transcends borders, boundaries or regions.  It’s national.  Our membership makeup is now reflective of that.”

“Over its history, the BIG EAST has changed and adapted as needed to maintain its place and leadership in the world of college athletics. And it has always done so with great respect and reverence for its heritage and legacy,” said Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida President and Chair of the Conference Board of Directors. “And so it is today. Boise State, Houston, San Diego State, SMU and UCF are all fine schools that will enhance every aspect of the BIG EAST.”

This expansion clearly moves the Conference far beyond its origins in the Northeast.  With these five new members, the Conference will continue to have the single largest media footprint in college football, spanning literally from coast to coast and all the major regions in between.   In effect, the BIG EAST will be the first truly national college football conference.

The creation of a western division is a bold and innovative step that will provide fans with two distinct divisions in football – East and West – which will produce new rivalries, accommodate further expansion flexibility and, eventually, set the stage for an annual football championship game.

The addition of these five new marketplaces boosts the number of the BIG EAST’s potential TV households by more than six percent and up to 28 million.

Four different time zones will also allow the Conference and its television partner the potential to schedule four games on a given Saturday back-to-back-to-back-to-back without any overlap.  It is a powerful model and one that will be unmatched by any other conference.

These expansion efforts will create a very unique synergy within the Conference and allow creative football scheduling for the future given that the league will have schools in four different time zones under its auspices.

Central Florida is the second-largest university in the United States with an enrollment of 58,587.  Located in Orlando, Fla., UCF was founded in 1963.  The Orlando television market is the nation’s 19^th largest.  UCF has been named one of the “50 Best Value Public Universities” by USA Today and the Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school as a “Top Up-And-Coming” university for the past three years.

The Knights compete in 16 men’s and women’s sports.  The UCF football team has won two conference championships in the last five seasons and played in four bowl games over the last six years.  Last year, the Knights won the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and finished No. 25 in the final Bowl Championship Series ranking.  Going into the 2011-12 academic year, UCF athletic teams have made 86 NCAA Division I team tournament appearances and 92 NCAA Division I individual championship appearances.

Houston, a university with an enrollment of 39,825, was founded in 1927 in Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the U.S. and the 10^th largest television market.  The University’s student body is the second most ethnically diverse among major research institutions in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report.

Twenty-two Houston athletes have competed in the Olympics and have combined to win 39 medals, including 20 gold.  The men’s basketball program has made five Final Four appearances.  The football team has made 20 bowl appearances and won 10 conference championships.  This year, the Cougars have enjoyed of their best seasons in history.  They finished the regular season with a 12-1 record and a No. 19 ranking in the final BCS standings.  One of the top men’s golf programs in the nation, the Cougars have captured 16 NCAA titles.

SMU is the only Division I program in Dallas, Texas, the nation’s ninth largest city and fifth largest television market.  The school has an enrollment of 10,981 and was established in 1911.  According to U.S. News & World Report, SMU is the best overall undergraduate college in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  SMU is one of only 77 institutions in the U.S. with an endowment of over $1 billion.

SMU sponsors 17 sports.  The Mustangs have been ranked as the top school in their conference 11 times in the past 14 years in the Director’s Cup overall athletic standings.    The men’s basketball team has won 14 conference championships and made one Final Four appearance.  The men’s soccer team has advanced to the NCAA Championship in 16 of the last 18 seasons, including two Final Four appearances.  The football team will appear in its third straight bowl game in January at the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala.

Boise State is the largest university in Idaho with an enrollment of 19,664.  The campus is home of 11 Idaho Professor of the Year honorees since 1990 and the 2011 national champion debate and speech team.

The football program has been one of the nation’s best in recent years.  Since 2002, the Broncos have won eight conference titles and earned eight top 25 finishes in the national polls, including a top 10 finish in each of the last four seasons.  Boise State won the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl in 2010 and 2007.  The Broncos, who play in Bronco Stadium with its distinctive blue turf, have finished in the top 10 of the BCS standings for the last three years and are ranked No. 7 this week.  Off the field, the football program won the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Academic Achievement Award.  The Bronco football team had a 100 percent graduation rate for members of its student-athlete class of 2004.

San Diego State is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region and fifth largest in California.  Founded in 1897, the university has grown to become a nationally ranked research university and has an enrollment of 32,396.  Increasingly recognized for innovative research, San Diego State has achieved the prestigious designation of “Research University” with high research activity granted by the Carnegie Foundation.  The San Diego market is the 28^th largest in the U.S.

The SDSU football program has enjoyed recent success with a 9-4 record in 2010 and a win in the Poinsettia Bowl.  This year’s team owns an 8-4 mark and will play in the New Orleans Bowl.  The Aztecs play their home games at Qualcomm Stadium, the home of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers.  San Diego State has had 134 players become NFL Draft picks, including 13 since 2004.

The five new schools join Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Rutgers and USF as the teams competing in football in the BIG EAST Conference and UCF, Houston and SMU join DePaul, Georgetown, Marquette, Notre Dame, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Villanova in all other sports.   With the addition of the five new schools, the BIG EAST will have the largest footprint of any college football conference in the nation, with a coast-to-coast presence spanning eight states in five different regions of the country.