Conference Realignment: Boston University Moving To Patriot League

Boston College's hockey arch-rivals down the Green Line have given the Eagles one more reason to pull a Holy Cross. You know, if this big-time college football thing doesn't work out. In a somewhat surprising move, the Terriers are leaving America East for the Patriot League:

Boston University has formally accepted an invitation to join the Patriot League on July 1, 2013, for the 2013-14 academic year, Daniel H. Weiss, Chair of the Patriot League's Council of Presidents and President of Lafayette College announced Friday.

"Boston University is an outstanding addition to our membership as a private institution with a robust academic reputation and prolific athletic history," said Weiss. "This decision to add Boston University to the Patriot League mirrors the Presidents' commitment and vision to the stability and long-term positioning of the League."

Boston University will join American, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Army and Navy as full members of the Patriot League. Fordham and Georgetown are associate members in football.

Sounds like the move is motivated by a desire for increased stability and academic pedigree, even if its a wash (step down?) in terms of basketball. This move, combined with the Patriot League's move to start offering football scholarships, offers a school like BC a soft landing spot if the school ever decided to bow out of the ever-escalating college football arms race. Obligatory.

Now if only Boston U. was bringing back its football program.