When was the Big East Conference founded, and what was the primary catalyst for its creation?

The Big East Conference was founded on May 31, 1979. Its creation was prompted by new NCAA basketball scheduling requirements that led athletic directors from independent schools in the Northeast to discuss forming a conference.

Which seven universities were the charter members of the Big East Conference upon its founding in 1979?

The seven charter members of the Big East Conference were Providence, St. John's, Georgetown, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Connecticut, and Boston College.

How did Villanova and Pittsburgh join the Big East Conference in its early years?

Villanova joined the conference a year after its founding, in 1980, while Pittsburgh became a member in 1982.

What was the significance of the ECAC men's basketball tournament for teams prior to joining the Big East?

Before forming the Big East, many of these schools participated in the ECAC men's basketball tournament to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

What was the outcome of Penn State's application for membership in the Big East in 1982?

Penn State applied for membership in 1982 but was rejected, needing six out of eight votes but only receiving five. This decision was later seen by some as a significant one for the conference's future.

When did the Big East Conference officially begin competition in football, and what was its initial structure?

The Big East began football competition in 1991. It was formed by inviting five schools (Rutgers, Miami, Temple, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia) to join, with Miami being the only one offered full all-sports membership immediately.

What major achievement did the Big East football program attain in 1998?

In 1998, the Big East football league earned an automatic berth into the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) upon its creation, reflecting the strength of its football programs.

Which Big East football team won national championships during the conference's existence?

The University of Miami won two national football championships during the Big East's tenure, in 1991 and 2001.

What factors contributed to the instability and eventual realignment of the Big East Conference starting around 2003?

Instability arose from the conference's unusual structure with separate football and non-football playing schools, leading to tensions. This was exacerbated by several Big East members leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), such as Virginia Tech, Miami, and Boston College.

Which five schools joined the Big East from Conference USA in 2005, and what was the impact of these additions?

Louisville, Cincinnati, South Florida, Marquette, and DePaul joined from Conference USA in 2005. The additions of these schools, along with UConn moving up to the football conference, helped the league maintain the minimum eight teams required for its BCS bid and strengthened its basketball profile.

How did the Big East Conference ultimately split in 2013?

The conference split when the seven non-FBS (football-playing) schools, known as the "Catholic 7," purchased the Big East Conference name to form a new non-football conference. The remaining six football-playing members reorganized as the American Athletic Conference (The American/AAC), which inherited the Big East's football structure and BCS bid.

What is the current status of the original Big East Conference's founding members in relation to the AAC?

As of the 2024-25 season, South Florida is the only full member of the original Big East that still plays in the American Athletic Conference today.

How many NCAA Division I men's basketball Final Four appearances did Big East teams make by 2013, and how many championships did they win?

By 2013, Big East teams had made 18 Final Four appearances and won 7 NCAA championships.

Which Big East teams set a record in 2011 for the most participants in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship?

In 2011, the Big East set a record by having eleven of its sixteen teams qualify for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

What was the Big East's basketball success in the 1980s, specifically mentioning the 1984 and 1985 seasons?

In 1984, Georgetown won the Big East's first NCAA basketball championship. The following year, 1985, saw three Big East teams—Villanova, St. John's, and Georgetown—reach the Final Four, with Villanova ultimately winning the championship.

Which coaches were prominent figures in the Big East men's basketball during the 1980s and early 1990s?

Prominent coaches included John Thompson Jr. at Georgetown, Rollie Massimino at Villanova, Lou Carnesecca at St. John's, and Jim Boeheim at Syracuse.

How did the University of Connecticut (UConn) become a dominant force in Big East men's basketball?

UConn became a preeminent power starting in 1990, making deep NCAA tournament runs, reaching the Elite Eight multiple times, and winning three National Championships in 1999, 2004, and 2011 under coach Jim Calhoun.

What notable achievements did the Big East women's basketball programs, particularly UConn, accomplish?

UConn, coached by Geno Auriemma, achieved significant success, winning eight national championships and setting a record for the longest winning streak in NCAA women's basketball history (70 games from 2001-2003). Other strong programs included Notre Dame and Rutgers.

What was the Big East's record in BCS bowl games, and how many national championship games did they participate in?

The Big East had an 8–7 record in BCS bowl games and participated in three National Championship games.

Which teams dominated Big East football in its early years, and what were their championship achievements?

The University of Miami dominated in the early years, winning nine conference titles and two national championships. Virginia Tech also performed well, winning conference titles and achieving a No. 2 national ranking in 1999.

When did the Big East begin sponsoring men's lacrosse, and which teams were involved in its initial formation?

The Big East created a men's lacrosse league in 2010, with Georgetown, Notre Dame, Providence, Rutgers, St. John's, Syracuse, and Villanova participating.

Which team was particularly dominant in men's lacrosse within the Big East before its conference changes?

Syracuse was dominant in men's lacrosse until its switch to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

What was the Big East's success in women's cross country, specifically regarding Villanova?

Villanova's women's cross country team achieved significant success, winning the NCAA Cross Country Team Championship in 2009 and 2010, and holding multiple NCAA titles overall.

How many sports did the Big East Conference sponsor in total, and what was the breakdown between men's and women's sports?

The Big East Conference sponsored championship competition in 24 NCAA sports: 11 men's sports and 13 women's sports.

What was the Big East's football record in the BCS National Championship games?

The Big East had a 1-2 record in BCS National Championship games.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2012 season, and which teams shared the conference championship?

In the 2012 season, Louisville, Cincinnati, Rutgers, and Syracuse all shared the Big East football championship with a 5-2 conference record.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2011 season, and which teams shared the conference championship?

In the 2011 season, West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Louisville all shared the Big East football championship with 5-2 conference records.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2010 season, and which teams shared the conference championship?

In the 2010 season, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia shared the Big East football championship with 5-2 conference records.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2009 season, and which team won the championship?

In the 2009 season, Cincinnati won the Big East football championship with a perfect 7-0 conference record.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2008 season, and which team won the championship?

In the 2008 season, Cincinnati won the Big East football championship with a 6-1 conference record.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2007 season, and which teams shared the conference championship?

In the 2007 season, West Virginia and Connecticut shared the Big East football championship with 5-2 conference records.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2006 season, and which team won the championship?

In the 2006 season, Louisville won the Big East football championship with a 6-1 conference record.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2005 season, and which team won the championship?

In the 2005 season, West Virginia won the Big East football championship with a 7-0 conference record.

What was the Big East's football record in the 2004 season, and which teams shared the conference championship?

In the 2004 season, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Syracuse, and West Virginia all shared the Big East football championship with 4-2 conference records.

What was the Big East's football record in the 1996 season, and which teams shared the conference championship?

In the 1996 season, Virginia Tech, Miami, and Syracuse all shared the Big East football championship with 6-1 conference records.

What was the Big East's football record in the 1995 season, and which teams shared the conference championship?

In the 1995 season, Virginia Tech and Miami shared the Big East football championship with 6-1 conference records.

What was the Big East's football record in the 1994 season, and which team won the championship?

In the 1994 season, Miami won the Big East football championship with a 7-0 conference record.

What was the Big East's football record in the 1993 season, and which team won the championship?

In the 1993 season, West Virginia won the Big East football championship with a 7-0 conference record.

What was the average attendance for Syracuse men's basketball during the 2011-2012 season, and how did it compare to other Big East teams?

Syracuse had an average attendance of 23,618 during the 2011-2012 season, which was the highest among all Big East teams that year.

Who were the first and last commissioners of the Big East Conference during its 1979-2013 existence?

Dave Gavitt served as the first commissioner, from 1979 to 1990, and Michael Aresco was the last commissioner, serving from 2012 to 2013.

What was the stated reason for Temple University's expulsion as a football-only member in 2004?

Temple was expelled as a football-only member in 2004 due to poor attendance figures, lack of playing success, and inadequate facilities.

How did the Big East's football structure and the departure of key schools impact its BCS automatic bid?

The departure of successful football schools like Miami and Virginia Tech to the ACC, coupled with the conference's overall football performance, raised concerns that the Big East might lose its BCS automatic bid, especially after the BCS announced adjustments to bids based on performance from 2004-2007.

What was the financial agreement related to the conference split in 2013?

In February 2013, the "Catholic 7" schools agreed to depart in July 2013. The financial agreement involved them purchasing the Big East name and MSG contract for $10 million, while the remaining football schools would receive $100 million from a $110 million pool accumulated from entry and exit fees and tournament proceeds.

Which Big East teams were invited to join the conference but later reneged on their acceptance?

Texas Christian University (TCU) initially accepted an invitation to join the Big East but later reversed its decision to accept an invitation from the Big 12 Conference. Boise State University also accepted an invitation but ultimately decided not to join, allowing San Diego State University to withdraw without penalty. Brigham Young University (BYU) was invited but could not come to terms regarding TV rights.

What was the Big East's overall record in BCS bowl games?

The Big East Conference had an overall record of 8 wins and 7 losses in BCS bowl games.

What was the significance of the "Earthquake Game" mentioned in relation to ESPN's college football coverage?

The "Earthquake Game" is mentioned as a piece of college football lore that was televised by ESPN, indicating its significance in the sport's history as covered by the network.

How many teams from the Big East qualified for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in 2006, 2008, and 2010?

The Big East sent a then-record eight teams to the NCAA Men's Tournament in 2006, and matched this record in both 2008 and 2010.

What was the outcome of the 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament for the Big East Conference?

In the 2010-2011 season, the Big East eclipsed its own record by sending eleven teams to the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

What was the Big East's record in men's lacrosse NCAA appearances by the 2013 season?

By the 2013 season, Syracuse had made 30 NCAA appearances in men's lacrosse, winning 10 NCAA championships. Georgetown had 11 appearances and 1 Final Four, while Providence had 3 appearances and Rutgers had 9 appearances.

How many different women's teams won Big East Cross Country Championships during the conference's history?

Six different women's teams won Big East Cross Country Championships: Boston College, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Providence, Villanova, and West Virginia.

Which Big East men's teams won conference cross country championships?

Six men's teams won Big East Cross Country Championships: Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, Providence, Syracuse, and Villanova.

Big East Conference 1979 U20132013 Wiki: The Big East Era: A Chronicle of Collegiate Athletic Excellence (1979-2013)

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A Legacy Forged: Founding and Evolution

Genesis of the Conference

The Big East Conference was established on May 31, 1979, by four charter members: Providence, St. John's, Georgetown, and Syracuse. This initiative was largely driven by new NCAA basketball scheduling requirements that necessitated conference affiliation for automatic bids to the NCAA tournament. The conference quickly expanded, incorporating Seton Hall, Connecticut, and Boston College, with Villanova and Pittsburgh joining shortly thereafter, solidifying its presence in the Northeast corridor.

Football Integration

In 1991, the conference expanded its scope to include football, inviting institutions like Miami, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia. This move transformed the Big East into a major football-playing conference, eventually earning it an automatic berth in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) upon its inception in 1998. The conference achieved significant success in football, notably with two national championships secured by the University of Miami.

Era of Realignment and Split

The period between 2005 and 2013 was marked by considerable conference realignment. Several prominent football-focused members departed for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), leading to a restructuring that included the addition of new members from Conference USA. This instability culminated in a significant split in 2013: the basketball-centric "Catholic 7" schools retained the Big East name, while the remaining football-playing members formed the American Athletic Conference (The American/AAC), the legal successor to the original conference's football structure.

Hoops Hegemony: Basketball Prowess

NCAA Tournament Dominance

The Big East was renowned for its exceptional strength in men's and women's college basketball. Through 2013, its member institutions amassed 18 Final Four appearances and secured 7 NCAA Men's Basketball Championships (UConn with three, Georgetown, Syracuse, Louisville, and Villanova with one each). The conference set a record by sending eleven teams to the NCAA Men's Tournament in 2011, underscoring its depth and competitive parity.

Notable Programs and Coaches

Iconic coaches like John Thompson Jr. (Georgetown), Rollie Massimino (Villanova), Lou Carnesecca (St. John's), Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), and Jim Calhoun (UConn) guided their teams to national prominence. Programs like UConn, Georgetown, Syracuse, and Villanova consistently produced All-Americans and NBA talent, contributing significantly to the conference's storied basketball legacy.

Statistical Snapshot

The conference's basketball success is quantifiable through numerous accolades. The table below summarizes key NCAA tournament achievements for member institutions during the Big East era.

NCAA Tournament Performance (Big East Era)
Team	Championships	Final Fours	Appearances
Cincinnati	2	6	25
Connecticut	5	6	36
DePaul	0	2	17*
Georgetown	1	5	24
Louisville	3*	10*	39*
Marquette	1	3	27
Notre Dame	0	1	29
Pittsburgh	0	1	21
Providence	0	2	15
Rutgers	0	1	6
St. John's	0	2	26
Seton Hall	0	1	9
South Florida	0	0	3
Syracuse	1	5	34
Villanova	3	5*	34*
West Virginia	0	2	26

*Note: Vacated NCAA achievements by Louisville and Villanova are excluded from official records but noted historically.

Gridiron Glory: Football Achievements

BCS Era Impact

The Big East's foray into football, beginning in 1991, quickly established it as a competitive force. The conference secured an automatic bid to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) in 1998, reflecting its national standing. Member teams participated in numerous BCS bowl games, achieving a respectable record and reaching the national championship game multiple times.

Championship Pedigree

The conference produced national champions, most notably the University of Miami, which claimed titles in 1991 and 2001. Other programs like Virginia Tech, Syracuse, West Virginia, and Cincinnati also achieved significant success, winning conference championships and achieving national rankings throughout the Big East's football era.

Championship History

The conference awarded football championships annually from 1993 onwards. The table below outlines the champions and their BCS bowl representatives.

Big East Football Champions & BCS Representatives
Season	Champion(s)	Record	BCS Representative
1993	West Virginia	7–0	West Virginia
1994	Miami	7–0	Miami
1995	Virginia Tech / Miami	6–1	Virginia Tech
1996	Virginia Tech / Miami / Syracuse	6–1	Virginia Tech
1997	Syracuse	6–1	Syracuse
1998	Syracuse	6–1	Syracuse
1999	Virginia Tech	7–0	Virginia Tech
2000	Miami	7–0	Miami
2001	Miami	7–0	Miami
2002	Miami	7–0	Miami
2003	Miami / West Virginia	6–1	Miami
2004	Pittsburgh / Boston College / Syracuse / West Virginia	4–2	Pittsburgh
2005	West Virginia	7–0	West Virginia
2006	Louisville	6–1	Louisville
2007	West Virginia / Connecticut	5–2	West Virginia
2008	Cincinnati	6–1	Cincinnati
2009	Cincinnati	7–0	Cincinnati
2010	Connecticut / Pittsburgh / West Virginia	5–2	Connecticut
2011	West Virginia / Cincinnati / Louisville	5–2	West Virginia
2012	Louisville / Cincinnati / Rutgers / Syracuse	5–2	Louisville**

*No official championship awarded in 1991 and 1992.

**Louisville received the BCS bid as the highest-ranked team.

A Spectrum of Sports

NCAA Sanctioned Sports

The Big East Conference sponsored championship competition in a comprehensive array of NCAA-sanctioned sports, reflecting its commitment to broad athletic development. This included 11 men's sports and 13 women's sports, ensuring robust participation across various disciplines.

Sports Sponsored by the Big East Conference
Sport	Men's	Women's
Baseball	11	-
Basketball	15	15
Cross Country	14	15
Field Hockey	-	7
Football	8	-
Golf	12	8
Lacrosse	7	9
Rowing	-	8
Soccer	15	15
Softball	-	13
Swimming & Diving	9	10
Tennis	9	15
Track and Field (Indoor)	13	14
Track and Field (Outdoor)	13	14
Volleyball	-	14

Note: NCAA gender equity rules required football-playing members to sponsor two more women's sports than men's.

Iconic Venues: Home Grounds

Collegiate Athletic Hubs

The Big East Conference's member institutions were home to some of the most storied and impressive athletic facilities in collegiate sports. These venues hosted legendary basketball games and pivotal football matchups, contributing to the conference's vibrant atmosphere and competitive spirit.

Major Facilities of Big East Members (circa 2012-2013)
School	Football Stadium	Capacity	Basketball Arena	Capacity
Cincinnati	Nippert Stadium	35,097	Fifth Third Arena	13,176
Connecticut	Rentschler Field	40,000	Gampel Pavilion / XL Center	10,167 / 16,294
DePaul*	N/A	N/A	Allstate Arena	17,500
Georgetown*	Patriot League	N/A	Capital One Arena / McDonough Gym	20,035 / 2,500
Louisville	Papa John's Cardinal Stadium	57,000	KFC Yum! Center	22,090
Marquette*	N/A	N/A	BMO Harris Bradley Center	18,717
Notre Dame*	Football Independent	80,795	Edmund P. Joyce Center	9,149
Pittsburgh	Heinz Field	65,050	Petersen Events Center	12,508
Providence*	N/A	N/A	Dunkin' Donuts Center	12,400
Rutgers	High Point Solutions Stadium	52,454	Louis Brown Athletic Center (The RAC)	8,000
Seton Hall*	N/A	N/A	Prudential Center / Walsh Gymnasium	10,862 / 2,600
South Florida	Raymond James Stadium	65,908	Yuengling Center	10,411
St. John's*	N/A	N/A	Madison Square Garden / Carnesecca Arena	19,979 / 5,602
Syracuse	Carrier Dome	49,250	Carrier Dome	33,000
Villanova*	Colonial Athletic Assoc.	N/A	Wells Fargo Center / The Pavilion	20,328 / 6,500

*Indicates non-football or associate football members. Capacities reflect final Big East era figures.

Leadership Through Eras

Guiding the Conference

The Big East Conference was guided by several influential commissioners who navigated its growth, successes, and challenges. Their leadership was instrumental in shaping the conference's identity and its standing in collegiate athletics.

Big East Conference Commissioners (1979-2013)
Years	Commissioner
1979–1990	Dave Gavitt
1990–2009	Mike Tranghese
2009–2012	John Marinatto
2012	Joseph Bailey (Interim)
2012–2013	Michael Aresco

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Big East Conference (1979–2013) Wikipedia page

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Important Considerations

Disclaimer

This content has been generated by an AI model based on historical data. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, it is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The Big East Conference as described (1979-2013) underwent significant structural changes, and this overview reflects that specific historical period.

This is not official NCAA or conference material. For definitive information, consult official conference archives and historical records. The creators of this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies or omissions, nor for any actions taken based on the information presented.

The Big East Era

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

A Legacy Forged: Founding and Evolution 📜

🚀 Genesis of the Conference

🏈 Football Integration

🌪️ Era of Realignment and Split

Hoops Hegemony: Basketball Prowess 🏀

👑 NCAA Tournament Dominance

⭐ Notable Programs and Coaches

📊 Statistical Snapshot

Gridiron Glory: Football Achievements 🏈

🏆 BCS Era Impact

🌟 Championship Pedigree

🗓️ Championship History

A Spectrum of Sports 🏆

🏊 NCAA Sanctioned Sports

Iconic Venues: Home Grounds 🏟️

🏟️ Collegiate Athletic Hubs

Leadership Through Eras 👑

🏛️ Guiding the Conference

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

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📜 References

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

A Legacy Forged: Founding and Evolution

Genesis of the Conference

Football Integration

Era of Realignment and Split

Hoops Hegemony: Basketball Prowess

NCAA Tournament Dominance

Notable Programs and Coaches

Statistical Snapshot

Gridiron Glory: Football Achievements

BCS Era Impact

Championship Pedigree

Championship History

A Spectrum of Sports

NCAA Sanctioned Sports

Iconic Venues: Home Grounds

Collegiate Athletic Hubs

Leadership Through Eras

Guiding the Conference

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Important Considerations

Disclaimer