NEW YORK -- The seven Catholic schools that have decided to leave the Big East and form their own league continued to plot the future Friday, retaining Proskauer Rose LLP and Pilson Communications, Inc., to aid in their defection.

St. John's, Georgetown, Marquette, DePaul, Seton Hall, Providence and Villanova all decided last month to set off on their own as the Big East continues to reshape itself.

The university presidents met Friday in New York to discuss the future of the new league. They vow to "honor the history and tradition on which the Big East was established."

There is no timetable for when other schools will join the league.