New Orleans, LA

The Big East's rebuilding process got a big boost with the entry of Tulane and East Carolina in 2014.

Tulane will participate in all sports while East Carolina will join as a football-only member.

"The Big East is a distinguished collection of institutions that will be a wonderful home for Tulane," said Tulane president Scott Cowen. "We look forward to our mutual association and we are delighted to welcome the Big East to the Big Easy."

Recently, the Big East saw the exodus of big-name teams such as West Virginia, TCU, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Rutgers.

However, several teams have also joined the conference.

Temple joined this year while Boise State, San Diego State, Memphis, UCF, Houston and SMU are scheduled to join the league next year. Navy will join as a football-only member in 2015.

Tulane and East Carolina have been competing in Conference USA. In the Big East, the Green Wave will offset the loss of Rutgers to the Big Ten. Rutgers, along with Maryland, is expected to join the Big Ten in 2014.

"We thank East Carolina and charter member Tulane for all their contributions to the league and wish them well," Conference USA commissioner Britton Banowsky said in a release. "These are unprecedented times in higher education."

The addition of Tulane and East Carolina will give the Big East 13 football members in 2014, aside from UConn, Louisville, South Florida, Cincinnati, Tulane, Temple, Boise State, San Diego State, UCF, SMU, Memphis, Houston and ECU.

According to sources, the Big East opted for 13 schools in 2014 because it expects either Louisville or Connecticut to leave for the ACC. The Cardinals and Huskies are the favorites to replace Maryland, which left for the Big Ten recently.

 

Tulane and East Carolina to Join Big East in 2014

 

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