The theme at yesterday's Big East Basketball Media Day "seemed to be one of rebirth and rebranding," according to Andrew Garda of NJ.com. Coaches, players and Commissioner Val Ackerman "all hit the same notes about where the survival of the conference stands and how it moves forward." Ackerman "referred to renovations at member schools" and "mentioned the new conference offices in Mid-town Manhattan." She said of the new 14,000 square-foot HQ, "No other conference can call New York home like we can." But Garda noted Ackerman "more than anything" talked about "how much the Big East's partnership with Fox Sports means to the conference." Ackerman: "Fox Sports has had extraordinary growth this year. They are the fastest growing network in sports. We are very happy to be in business with a network that is unequivocally on the move." She also "mentioned the conference's partnership" with the net in forming the Big East Digital Network, which "will feature other collegiate sports" such as women's basketball and soccer (NJ.com, 10/22).
