TCU has accepted a bid for full membership to become the 17th member of the Big East Conference, effective July 1, 2012. "Having BCS automatic-qualifying status was a priority for our football program and a great reward for the success we've had the last decade," TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a statement. The conference change allows TCU to play in an automatic BCS-qualifying league beginning in the 2012-13 school year.