MAY 31, 1979: The Big East Conference is formed with seven original members; Syracuse, Connecticut, Boston College, Seton Hall, Providence, St. John's and Georgetown.

1980: Villanova joins.

1982: Pittsburgh joins.

1984: Georgetown wins men's basketball national title.

1985: Villanova wins men's basketball national title.

1990: Miami (Fla.) joins.

1991: Big East Football Conference is formed among the league's football-playing members and three new football-only members (West Virginia, Temple, Virginia Tech). Miami is named league champion by virtue of winning the national championship.

1995: Notre Dame joins in all sports but football, and West Virginia becomes a full member.

1995: Connecticut wins the first of four women's basketball national titles. It also wins in 2000, '02 and '03.

1999: Connecticut wins men's basketball national title.

2001: Miami wins football national championship.

2001: Notre Dame wins women's basketball national title. 2003: Syracuse wins men's basketball national title.

2004: Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College will join the ACC. Connecticut will join the Big East Football Conference, and Temple will drop out of the Big East Football Conference.

2005: Cincinnati, Louisville and South Florida will join the Big East for all sports. Marquette and DePaul will join as non-football members.

- Dustin Dow

About the Big East Conference

Quick facts

Headquarters: Providence, R.I.

Original membership: Boston College, Connecticut, Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's, Syracuse.

First commissioner: Dave Gavitt (1979-90).

National championships: 22 team titles, 118 individual titles.

The sports

• Baseball (men)

• Basketball (men, women)

• Cross country (men, women)

• Field hockey (women)

• Football (men)

• Golf (men, women)

• Lacrosse (women)

• Rowing (women)

• Soccer (men, women)

• Softball (women)

• Swimming & diving (men, women)

• Tennis (men, women)

• Track & field, indoor (men, women)

• Track & field, outdoor (men, women)

• Volleyball (women)

The champs

The Big East has won 22 NCAA team championships:

Men's basketball (4): Syracuse, 2003; Connecticut, 1999; Villanova, 1985; Georgetown, 1984.

Women's basketball (5): Connecticut, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003; Notre Dame, 2001.

Football (2): Miami, 2001, 1991.

Men's soccer (2): Connecticut, 2000; St. John's, 1996.

Women's soccer (1): Notre Dame, 1995.

Men's cross country (7): Villanova, 1989-94, 1998.

Women's cross country (1): Providence, 1995.

Glory days

The Big East's finest moment might have come in 1985 when three teams at the NCAA Tournament's Final Four came from the league (Villanova, Georgetown, St. John's). Villanova won the men's basketball title.

The commish

Who: Michael Tranghese.

Started: June 21, 1990; has been Big East employee since 1979.

Background: Big East associate commissioner from 1981-90.

Take note: Lead administrator for Bowl Championship Series, 2002-03; established Big East football in 1991 after addition of national football power Miami to conference.

College: 1965 graduate of St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vt.