Big East announces divisions, regional schedule for fall

The Big East will have a different look this fall — and not just because UConn’s back.

In an effort to reduce travel, the conference introduced Monday a new regionalized scheduling model for men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball and field hockey.

What it means is this: Soccer and volleyball will be split into two divisions. The East will consist of UConn, Georgetown, Providence, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Villanova. Butler, Creighton, DePaul, Marquette and Xavier will make up the Midwest.

Divisional opponents will play each other twice in soccer — presumably once at home and once on the road — and four times in volleyball. There will be

no crossover play between the divisions.

Field hockey — with only eight schools and associate members — will use a similar format. UConn, Quinnipiac, Providence and Temple will comprise the North Division. Georgetown, Liberty, Old Dominion and Villanova will make up the South Division. Like in soccer, each team will play divisional opponents two times. Schedules (including the postseason tournaments) will be announced at a later date.

As athletic departments navigate the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, this model aims to cut down on travel costs and reduce the spread of the virus.

Some schools have already been forced to drop programs due to budget shortfalls. Cuts may even be coming to UConn, with athletic director Dave Benedict revealing that he would need to slash a whopping $10 million annually from the school’s budget over the next three years.

UConn will officially rejoin the Big East on July 1 in all sports except football, which will operate as an independent. Ice hockey competes in Hockey East and field hockey was previously an associate member of the Big East.

The school has yet to announce when students will be allowed back on campus. Big East commissioner Val Ackerman expects most of the league’s presidents to decide that in late June or early July.

Richard Drew / Associated Press Former UConn president Susan Herbst, left, and Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, pose for photos at the announcement that the Huskies would be re-joining the Big East Conference at Madison Square Garden in June of 2019.

Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Commissioner Val Ackerman and the Big East announced revamped divisions for all sports in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.