East Carolina, Tulane move to Big East

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PROVIDENCE, R.I., Nov. 27 (UPI) -- East Carolina and Tulane announced Tuesday they would be joining the Big East Conference as football members starting with the 2014 season.

"We are very excited to welcome East Carolina University into the Big East Conference for football," Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco said. "They have a strong football tradition and a consistently successful program that will help elevate our football league immediately."

The Big East will have 12 football schools for the 2013 season, after which Pittsburgh and Syracuse will depart for the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Former Big East member West Virginia earlier moved to the Big 12.

East Carolina and Tulane are currently part of Conference USA, which is also losing Central Florida, Houston, Southern Methodist and Memphis to the Big East.