.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Villanova officials will explore upgrading the school's football program and joining the Big East in that sport according to a published report.
The Rev. Peter Donahue, the school's president, sent an e-mail to alumni Friday to say Villanova will begin its due diligence in considering a move to the Football Bowl Subdivision level, the Philadelphia Daily News reported.
"The Board of Trustees' leadership and the President's Cabinet have decided that the most prudent course of action is to expedite our timeframe and embark upon an in-depth and thorough evaluation of the opportunity," he wrote. "This is a complicated issue with numerous, multi-dimensional factors that come into play, and it is important that we investigate scenarios relating to making -- or not making -- such a move."
The Wildcats won the Football Championship Subdivision national championship in 2009 under coach Andy Talley.
Villanova has played in the Big East in other sports since 1980. The Wildcats received a feeler from the Big East about joining in football in 1997 and turned it down.
"More than likely, you will read or hear speculation as we conduct this assessment," Donahue went on. "I can assure you that a decision will be made only after the Board of Trustees conducts a careful and complete analysis."
The newspaper reported the Big East would like an answer by the end of the year, but it's uncertain how quickly the school will act.
