PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The BIG EAST Conference has announced a partnership with the newly launched St. Petersburg Bowl that will pit the conference’s representative against an opponent from Conference USA at Tropicana Field beginning in 2008.

The NCAA certified the St. Petersburg Bowl Wednesday. The bowl was established by ESPN Regional Television and the game will air on ESPN in December.

“The St. Petersburg Bowl is another great bowl opportunity for the BIG EAST,” said Commissioner Michael Tranghese. “The game is played in a BIG EAST market and already has generated great interest in the local community. The partnership with ESPN will help the game grow quickly. Our coaches are always excited to play a postseason game in the state of Florida.”

“We look forward to the opportunity to host a bowl game at a great destination – St. Petersburg,” said Pete Derzis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ESPN Regional Television. “The St. Petersburg area has a great association with sports, it’s a great venue, and this is sure to be a rewarding experience for the student-athletes and their teams as well as the fans who attend the game.”