Navy aligning with Big East starting in 2015

By Ralph D. Russo

NEW YORK

Navy is headed to the Big East, giving up more than 130 years of football independence to join a conference that is in the middle of a massive overhaul.

The Big East announced Tuesday that the U.S. Naval Academy has accepted an invitation to join the league for football only, starting in 2015. The conference has now added six new members in the last seven weeks after losing three members and having another school renege on a commitment in the fall.

"Stability in the Big East was a very important aspect in our discussions with the commissioner," said Vice Adm. Michael Miller, superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy. "What we see is a very bright future for the conference."

Navy has been playing football since 1879 without conference affiliation, but academy officials said they believe independence will be too difficult to maintain as other powerful leagues grow.

"Opportunities to exist as independents into the future are clearly in jeopardy," athletic director Chet Gladchuk said.

Navy football has been thriving the last decade. The Midshipmen played in eight straight bowl games before slipping to 5-7 this season. But Navy's schedule will be tougher in the Big East.

"We have a definite challenge ahead of us," coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

Gladchuk said the Big East will allow Navy to maintain its annual rivalries with Army, Air Force and Notre Dame, and that the Army-Navy game will still be the season finale for both teams.