PC, Six Other Catholic Schools to Leave BIG EAST

Seven private Catholic institutions, including Providence College, announced on Saturday, December 15, their intentions to leave the BIG EAST Conference. Five of those colleges, including PC, were founding members of the conference back in 1979.

This move is the latest in a series of changes to the BIG EAST, exemplifying widespread conference realignment across Division I sports during recent years. Most recently, Rutgers University announced intentions to move to the Big 10, while Louisville indicated plans to join the Atlantic Coast Conference, replacing Maryland after the latter university switched to the Big 10. 

In a Saturday statement, PC President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80 shared his perspectives on the departure from the BIG EAST and the future of Friar sports.

A Saturday news release provides more details on the seven colleges’ announcement, along with comments from Athletic Director Robert Driscoll and men’s basketball Head Coach Ed Cooley. As Father Shanley indicated in his message, there are a great many details left to be determined, including the time frame for leaving the BIG EAST. News reports provide some framework for sorting out those details.