UConn Officially Announces Move Back To Big East

UConn today officially announced its move back to the Big East and will join the conference as soon as July 1, 2020, barring the school's "successful withdrawal" from the AAC. UConn officials arriving at Madison Square Garden for the official announcement were "greeted, on a giant screen at the arena entrance, with three words that said it all: 'Welcome back, UConn.'" The decision to accept UConn as a member was "unanimous among the Big East’s 10 school presidents." Outgoing UConn President Susan Herbst said, "The Big East is an incredibly special and enduring part of our heritage. We were a founding member 40 years ago. Our programs grew and thrived in this conference over decades." She added, "Coming back here means UConn is coming home." The school will "negotiate with the AAC on an exit fee," which is expected to be more than $10M (COURANT.com, 6/27).