Wednesday marked the official news that UCF fans have long anticipated and waited for: UCF will be joining the Big East conference in all sports starting in the 2013 season.
Big East commissioner John Marinatto held a live teleconference Wednesday afternoon regarding the expansion, announcing the addition of five new programs to the conference.
UCF, Houston, SMU, Boise State and San Diego State were all officially welcomed as the newest members of the Big East.
KnightNews.com covered the key points from the teleconference, highlighted by quotes from Marinatto and UCF president John Hitt.
Here are some of the key points from the live announcement. The Knight News Sports Department will continue to update this article as more information comes in.
Marinatto on the Big East’s Media Market:
“Our conference will continue to have – by far – the largest media footprint in college athletics.”
Marinatto on the Five New Programs Joining the Big East:
“The core universities that are joining us today are extraordinary … We are proud to be associated with them.”
UCF President John Hitt’s Official Statement:
“This is truly a great day for the University of Central Florida.”
Marinatto also discussed how the Big East will be a national brand because the new schools ensure four different time zones and games will be played all around the country.
We will continue to provide more information regarding this breaking news for UCF athletics in the next few hours.
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