Multiple sources report The Butler Bulldogs, Creighton Blue Jays and Xavier Musketeers will join the Catholic 7 basketball conference which consists of the seven college basketball only schools previously in the Big East: (Catholic institutions Marquette, DePaul, Georgetown, Villanova, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Providence)
Not since Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation have a group of Catholics felt so freed and empowered. (Remember they were all Catholics before they became Protestants and later Lutherans. Catholic excess was what they were “protesting” against. I guess 7 Catholic schools gave up the Big East conference for Lent.
The Catholic 7 basketball conference will still keep the Big East name. New league begins play July 1
The Catholic 7 basketball conference re-branded as the Big East is ready to start next fall. It will be quite a departure from what we know as the Big East today: the patchwork of college football close-to-last-picked-in-gym-class type programs making the league a gridiron crapfest, and dragging down the league’s hoops cred. Which is damaged enough already with Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse bolting for the ACC.
Having this league start next year instead of the following means ND will move to the ACC. That deal is finalized.
Now for the local angle….
Statement from DePaul President Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M.
“DePaul University is grateful to Commissioner Aresco and our Big East colleagues for the collegial discussions that have allowed us to leave in 2013 and begin our new league. We are excited about the opportunities this endeavor will afford our student-athletes, coaches and fans. We wish the ongoing football members the very best as they establish their footprint in the college football landscape.”
“I’m excited and I’ve been excited about it for a long time,” said DePaul coach Oliver Purnell. “I think it’s great for us.”
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