PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Forty years ago today, May 29, 1979, a press release announcing the formation of a “new basketball conference” by the athletic directors of “seven of the most prestigious basketball schools in the East.” Just over a month later, the new conference had a name – The BIG EAST.
Below is the original press release which was written by Mike Tranghese, the league’s first employee. Tranghese would become Commissioner in 1990 and serve until 2009.
Tonight in Providence, R.I., the league’s headquarters until 2013, Commissioner Val Ackerman and the Presidents from the 10 BIG EAST institutions will host a reception to celebrate the league’s successes.