Navy joined the Big East conference as a football-only member Tuesday. Navy became the 11th school in the conference and will begin play in 2015, according to a Big East press release.

The Midshipmen are the latest program to join the Big East, which has members stretching from coast to coast after adding five new members in December. The conference Board of Directors voted unanimously to invite Navy to the Big East, according to the release.

‘When people look back, they will mark this as a truly historic day for the Big East conference,’ Big East Commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement. ‘America’s first national football conference is adding a program with true national appeal. Navy’s decision to make the Big East its first football conference home after over 100 years of independence demonstrates the value of our new expansion model and the long-term viability of our football product.’

The Big East targeted Navy as a possible member during the fall after losing four members to other conferences. But the Midshipmen wanted to make sure the conference had a stable future in college football before committing to it. On Tuesday, Navy officially joined the Big East, its first conference affiliation since its football program started in 1879.

Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk said in the statement that the Big East will give the Midshipmen exciting new opportunities for exposure and to compete on a national level as a member of a Bowl Championship Series conference.

‘The Big East will provide an expanded stage for the American public to see our nation’s future leaders,’ Gladchuk said in a statement. ‘Expanded media opportunities and coverage by the Big East will elevate the national visibility of Navy football to the highest levels.’

The Naval Academy is respected as a top academic institution, and the Midshipmen have been successful on the football field in recent years, going to eight bowl games in the last nine seasons. And Marinatto said those factors made them a match for the Big East.

‘The Big East is truly proud to be associated with one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country and one of the most storied programs in college football,’ Marinatto said in the statement.

rjgery@syr.edu 

Published on January 24, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Ryne: rjgery@syr.edu