After two days of discussions with future Big East counterparts, Boise State and San Diego State officials said Tuesday that they remain committed to their new league.

“There is nothing new to report at this point. As previously stated, we are committed to the Big East Conference and intend to strengthen our conference with members who can contribute to a strong league,” Boise State President Bob Kustra said.

Rutgers, a member of the Big East football conference since its inception in 1991, made its departure from the league official Tuesday.

“I can say the Big East took a hit,” San Diego State Athletic Director Jim Sterk said. “It may take some others, but I can tell you the league will continue to be strong.”

Boise State and San Diego State are scheduled to join the Big East on July 1 as part of the league’s overhaul.

The Western schools’ commitment to the Big East has been in question since reports surfaced Monday that they have had talks with Mountain West schools about remaining in league.

Kustra denied those talks Monday. Sterk said he had not spoken with Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson since May.

“I’m aware of several conversations between ADs, coaches and even presidents, but I have not been in communication directly,” Thompson told the Statesman on Tuesday.

But those conversations, at whatever level, have not moved Boise State or San Diego State. Sterk said the conference calls with Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco eased any concerns.

“It made me all the more proud to work with a guy like that. He's committed, smart, connected. He is a great leader,” Sterk said. “It’s important to have someone like that in that role.”

The Big East is currently negotiating a new television contract. The departure of Rutgers and its access to the New York City market will have an impact on those talks, as could the potential loss of Louisville or Connecticut.

Still, Sterk said the Big East offers more in terms of exposure and television revenue than the Mountain West would.

“It’s significantly stronger than what we have right now (in the Mountain West),” Sterk said.

“We are part of and moving forward with a national football conference. We made a strategic decision to do that last December and nothing has changed. ... It’s more important for our program to grow and move forward and not go backward.”

Twitter: @MurphsTurph