Effective July 1 , 1988 , the Pacific Coast Athletic Association changed its name to the Big West Conference . With such schools as Utah State , UNLV , Nevada , New Mexico State , and Hawaii now in the fold , the name change was more representative of its member institutions . In addition , the conference had signed a contract with ESPN to have its men 's basketball games telecast as the third game of a triple header known as '' Big Monday '' - the other conferences being featured were the Big East and the Big Ten so the name Big West fit the theme
Big East
Big East Conference (1979–2013)
Big West Conference