Senators Schmitt, Husted Call for Big East Conference Membership for Saint Louis University, University of Dayton

'Schools with Shared Values, Academic Priorities, and Comparable Resource Models Should Compete in the Same Conference'

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) is leading a letter with Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) to Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman to encourage the conference to add Saint Louis University (SLU) and the University of Dayton (UD) to the Big East.

The Senators began: "As alumni and fans of these two universities, we write to respectfully encourage the Big East Conference to consider Saint Louis University and the University of Dayton for membership, given their strong alignment with the Big East's institutional mission, competitive athletic profiles, and long-term strategic interests in the evolving collegiate athletics landscape."

They wrote: "Both Saint Louis University and the University of Dayton share the core institutional values that have long defined the Big East: they are mission-driven universities with deep commitments to academic excellence, community engagement, and the holistic development of student-athletes. These Jesuit and Marianist universities would also add to the rich Catholic legacy that the Big East and its members have cultivated."

They continued: "Athletically, SLU and UD are natural fits. Each program emphasizes men's and women's basketball as flagship sports, consistent with the Big East's basketball-centric model. The University of Dayton and Saint Louis University have consistently been top performers in the Atlantic 10 conference, including on-field accomplishments, investment in athletic infrastructure, and fanbase engagement. The University of Dayton has consistently ranked among national leaders in basketball attendance and has a proven ability to support high-level competition. Saint Louis University has made significant investments in its competitive programs, opening a $20 million, 25,000 sq ft athletic facility in 2024, positioning itself for continued growth and stability."

They concluded: "In an era defined by realignment pressures and shifting national dynamics, the Big East's strength has been its cohesive identity, competitive balance, and institutional alignment. Saint Louis University and the University of Dayton would reinforce that model. Both schools bring stability, tradition, and a demonstrated commitment to excellence that would strengthen the conference's position as the premier basketball-focused league in collegiate athletics."

Read the full text of the letter HERE.

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