We will continue to do everything possible to keep the Big East intact, including pursuing all of our available legal options. We are encouraged by Virginia Governor Warner’s call that this dispute between conferences be mediated, and we pledge our support for the Governor’s efforts. We also renew our request, made today, to the presidents of the ACC schools that we meet directly to speak about these issues and avoid a rush to judgment that will badly damage both of our conferences.

• Richard McCormick, President, Rutgers University

• Philip Austin, President, University of Connecticut

• Mark A. Nordenberg, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh

• Charles W. Steger, President, Virginia Tech

• David C. Hardesty, Jr., President, West Virginia University