PROVIDENCE, R.I., May 14 (UPI) -- The commissioner of the Big East has decided to try to keep the conference alive.
The decision was announced one day after the Atlantic Coast Conference voted to take steps toward expansion by voting to add three schools from the Big East.
The schools likely will come from a group of four – Miami, Syracuse, Boston College, and Virginia Tech.
"I am anxious to meet with our conference members in Florida and am prepared to do whatever it takes to preserve the 24-year history of the Big East Conference," said Commissioner Mike Tranghese. "This is a conference that is worth preserving, and we should all look forward to the challenge."
The Charlotte Observer reported on its Web site Tuesday that no formal invitations have been extended.
In a statement late Tuesday, ACC Commissioner John Swofford would say only that conference officials were discussing the matter.
"(This was) another step towards completion of an ongoing process that is not yet finalized," Swofford said in a statement late Tuesday. "It is not appropriate at this time for me to share the particulars of (Tuesday) morning's conference call out of respect to our own schools and to potential candidates. At this time, no final decisions have been reached."
"We have been monitoring the news surrounding the ACC and expansion," Tranghese said. "I will take Swofford at his word that the ACC presidents have not formally voted."
The centerpiece of any expansion would involve Miami, which has won five national football championships since 1983, but ACC presidents reportedly are divided on which schools would join the Hurricanes in leaving the Big East.
The ACC has not expanded since adding Florida State in 1991. The main attraction of a 12-team league would be the ability to split into two divisions, and play a lucrative football championship game.
Should Miami depart, it would be a serious blow to the Big East, which was formed more than two decades ago with basketball as its centerpiece. The addition of Miami allowed the Big East to form a football league in 1992.
Miami officials admitted last month they would listen to an offer from ACC officials, adding the school also would consider a counterproposal from the Big East.
"I will take (Miami Athletic Director) Paul Dee at his word that Miami intends to take its time in reviewing its options," Tranghese said.
If three schools were to leave the Big East, that league likely would seek additional members. A Conference USA team such as Louisville has been mentioned as a possible candidate.
In that scenario, a football split could leave five traditional basketball schools -- Georgetown, St. John's, Villanova, Providence, and Seton Hall -- out in the cold.
