Memphis accepted an invitation to compete in the Big East conference for all sports in 2013 on Wednesday, giving the Big East 12 football schools and solidifying its future. The Tigers became the seventh team to join the conference since December after the Big East lost four schools last fall.

Following the departures, Big East Commissioner John Marinatto devised a plan for his conference to reach 12 football schools so it could create a conference championship. Memphis makes that goal a reality. Though Marinatto said the conference is content with achieving that right now, he left the door open for possible further change.

‘It was our goal, as I said, to get to 12 football-playing members, and we’ve done that,’ Marinatto said during a teleconference Wednesday. ‘We’re obviously pleased that we fulfilled our primary objective. But we’re always going to be vigilant, and we’re going to continue to do whatever is in the best interest of the conference. You never say never, I guess.’

With Memphis on board, the Big East will have 11 football schools for the 2013 season. When Navy officially joins in 2015, the conference will begin its conference championship game. The immediate future of the Big East remains unclear.

West Virginia has filed a lawsuit to leave the Big East and join the Big 12 for the 2012 season rather than abiding by the 27-month waiting period required by the conference bylaws. Marinatto declined comment on the lawsuit multiple times.

He also reiterated that Syracuse and Pittsburgh must also wait until 2014 to begin competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

‘West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse are members of the Big East Conference, as I’ve stated many times, until July 1st of 2014,’ Marinatto said during the teleconference. ‘I really can’t comment further than that at this point.’

For Marinatto, Memphis was a perfect fit in the Big East for a variety of reasons.

The commissioner cited Memphis’ geography, Central time zone, media market, corporate and community support, and athletic facilities among the draws to add the school. In addition, the Tigers’ strong basketball tradition, which includes three Final Four appearances and 10 straight 20-win seasons, was attractive to help continue the Big East’s reputation as a top basketball conference.

Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson said during the teleconference that the move to a Bowl Championship Series conference will boost its ability to compete and recruit nationally.

‘With this move, the future for Tiger athletics is brighter than ever,’ Johnson said during the teleconference. ‘One of our goals has always been to compete with the very best, and the prestige of the Big East certainly accomplishes that goal.’

rjgery@syr.edu

Published on February 7, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Ryne: rjgery@syr.edu