Nutter, Rendell Petition Big East To Allow Temple
Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell have sent letters to Big East commissioner John Marinatto asking that the conference add Temple for all sports.
Philly Sports Daily has obtained copies of both letters.
The Big East has been scrambling in recent weeks, having lost long-time members Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia to other conferences, part of the rapidly changing college sports landscape.
In his letter to the commissioner, Gov. Rendell wrote:
“As a Philadelphian and a sports fan, I am very proud of Temple’s growing impact on intercollegiate athletics, and I am convinced that an affiliation with the Big East is one that would benefit both the Conference and the Greater Philadelphia region.”
Rendell hand wrote in a post-script:
“John- Temple deserves this. They will be a credit to the Big East!”
Speaking Monday afternoon on 94-WIP, Rendell blamed Villanova – where he attended law school – for blocking Temple from joining the conference.
“I think Villanova was responsible for ending the Big 5 as we know it,” said Rendell. “And now it appears they’re blocking Temple [from joining the conference].”
Mayor Nutter wrote:
“Pairing the Big East and Philadelphia in a major way will bring attention, excitement and opportunity to both the City and the Conference.
I look forward to welcoming the Big East to Philadelphia when you and the Conference presidents extend an invitation to Temple.”
Asked for a response, Big East director of communications Chuck Sullivan wrote in an email “we have a policy of not commenting on specific schools when it comes to conference expansion.”
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