Big East Meets Friday On Next Steps

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With current and future members scattered across the country, the Big East is a conference in transition.

So as he plots his next move, commissioner Mike Aresco needs to bring his constituency together. Aresco told The Courant last week that he is looking for a consensus from his members and he needs to hear ideas.

"We need to gather in one room," Aresco said.

That will happen Friday, when representatives assemble at a Dallas hotel for a conference meeting. There will be several topics on the agenda, including an expansion strategy and a plan for the departure of the seven non-FBS schools.

UConn will be represented by athletic director Warde Manuel and Rachel Rubin, chief of staff to President Susan Herbst. With Herbst unavailable to attend because of a previous commitment, Rubin will represent the president's office.

The meeting will gather members left from the old Big East (UConn, Cincinnati, South Florida and Temple) with incoming members (Central Florida, Tulane, Memphis, SMU, Houston, East Carolina and Navy).

San Diego State is also expected to attend, although the school's status with the Big East remains in question.

San Diego State was to enter with Boise State, providing a West Coast presence as football-only members. But Boise State announced on New Year's Eve that it's staying in the Mountain West. San Diego State might decide to also remain in the Mountain West, although Aresco said last week he hopes the school remains committed to the conference and he'll try to convince school officials to join.

Read more: http://www.courant.com/sports/college/hc-big-east-meetings-0111-20130110,0,5223231.story