INDIANAPOLIS - After much speculation, Butler announced Wednesday it's joining the Big East conference in July.

Butler will join Creighton University, DePaul University, Georgetown University, Marquette University, Providence College, Seton Hall University, St. John’s University, Villanova University and Xavier University in the reconfigured conference.

"Joining the Big East is an unprecedented opportunity for Butler and represents an ideal fit for us -- academically, athletically and geographically," Butler President James M. Danko said in a news release.

The move comes a year after Butler left the Horizon League to join the Atlantic 10 Conference.

"The A-10, like the Horizon League, is an outstanding conference, and we were honored to be a member," Danko said. "After in-depth deliberations and analyses, we determined that joining the Big East was the right thing to do for our students and our institution, regardless of the timing of past conference transitions."

The Butler Bulldogs’ football team will remain in the Pioneer League, while other sports will begin their Big East competition in the fall.