Notre Dame To Join ACC As Non-Football School

The University of Notre Dame has elected to leave the Big East and join the ACC, according to an official press release by the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Fighting Irish joined the Big East Conference in 1995 as full member with the exception of football. They won't technically be a football school in the ACC, either, although they'll play five football games per year against ACC teams.

The Atlantic Coast Conference Council of Presidents has unanimously voted to accept the University of Notre Dame as a new member. The Irish will compete as full members in all conference sponsored sports with the exception of football which will play five games annually against league programs.

"We are committed to keeping the Atlantic Coast Conference a vibrant and competitive league dedicated to ensuring the appropriate balance of academics, athletics and integrity," said the ACC Council of Presidents in a joint statement. "The addition of Notre Dame further strengthens the rich tradition and culture of the ACC as well as allowing for future academic collaboration and we enthusiastically welcome them into the league."

Notre Dame becomes the latest school to defect to the ACC after Pitt, which joined the Big East in 1982, announced in July that it would join the ACC next summer. After playing one another in the Big East, the Panthers and Fighting Irish will be reunited yet again in their new conference.

For more on Notre Dame's move to the ACC, be sure to check out their SB Nation blog, One Foot Down.