TCU is one of the many schools being rumored to potentially join the Big East. One scenario that's discussed the most is one in which TCU joins the conference as a football-only member. That would help save travel costs that some of the lower-revenue sports would incur from traveling long distances to play other schools, which are in (obviously) the East.
↵However, in an interview with The Sporting News, TCU Athletic Director Chris Del Conte seems to hint that the school would want all of its programs in the same conference:
↵↵↵"We’re an athletic department," he said in a telephone interview with Sporting News. "Whatever endeavor we do, you’re united as one. That’s who we are. That’s how we always compete. We compete as one unit."
↵Recent reports have linked the Horned Frogs to the Big East’s plans to expand from eight football-playing schools to 10. Citing sources, some of the reports suggested the conference would want TCU as a football-only member.
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While this may not be want the Big East wants, it would be a borderline-foolish move to not extend an invitation to TCU because of it. TCU offers something most of the other schools that are discussed as possibilities to join the Big East cannot - a quality, established football program. If the Big East really wants TCU, I don't think making it a full member would be a deal-breaker. Still, it will be interesting to see what kind of twists and turns happen from here.