<P> Meanwhile, Loyola University Maryland (then Loyola College in Maryland) also joined the Big East as an associate member in women's lacrosse for the 2005--06 academic year . </P> <P> In 2010, Texas Christian University accepted an invitation to join the conference as an all - sports member beginning in the 2012--13 academic year . Big East schools compete in Division I. Most of the football - playing schools play in Division I FBS, while Georgetown and Villanova have Division I FCS (formerly I - AA) football programs . Georgetown football competes in the Patriot League . Villanova has competed in the Colonial Athletic Association football conference since 1988, dating back to its time as a completely separate conference known as the Yankee Conference, which merged with the Atlantic 10 Conference in 1997, then in 2007 the CAA took over management of the A-10 football conference (which happened after Northeastern University joined the CAA in 2005, giving them the six football - playing members needed to start sponsoring football, which was eventually dropped by Northeastern after 2009). In September 2010, in the wake of a Division I realignment that affected a number of conferences around the country, the Big East asked Villanova to consider becoming a football member . The school once considered the offer, which required the school to substantially expand its football budget, as well as expand its stadium to meet FBS requirements or find another suitable venue in the Philadelphia area . Villanova presented a plan to the Big East football members on April 10, 2011, which included the use of PPL Park as a football stadium, but the league declined to schedule a vote to offer membership on the objections of Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Rutgers to the plan . On September 17, 2011 Syracuse, a charter member of the conference, and Pittsburgh announced that they would be leaving the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference . Both schools originally intended to fulfill their commitment to the 27 - month waiting period . TCU also reversed its decision and accepted an invitation from the Big 12 Conference to move there . </P> <P> On October 28, 2011 it was announced by the Big 12 Conference that West Virginia accepted its invitation to join, with membership beginning in 2012 . This timeline was challenged by the Big East, and countersuits were launched by the school and conference . Eventually, a settlement was reached with allowed West Virginia's departure for 2012 in exchange for sizable compensation . Syracuse and Pittsburgh then used the acquiescence of the Big East to West Virginia's departure to challenge the validity of their own commitment, and the Big East agreed to a settlement with both schools in July 2012 to allow their departure for the 2013 academic year . </P> <P> In December, after the 2011 football regular season was completed announcements were made that Boise State University and San Diego State University, both of the Mountain West Conference, would join the Big East in football only; and that Conference USA members University of Central Florida, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Houston would join in all sports for the 2013 academic year . </P>

When did west virginia leave the big east