It had a tradition, a recognizability.

Some 83 years later, the Big Ten Network hit the airwaves. It is a network that learned to cash in on tradition and recognizability - to the point that it may cause a big bang in college sports.

Headquartered in Chicago, the BTN is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to a college conference. It beams approximately 350 live sports events a year - mostly in high definition. It operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

And, milking the ghosts of Woody Hayes and Bo Schembechler, it became a beast. One that apparently has an increased appetite.

Thus, talk of Big Ten expansion.

As those in these parts certainly understand, Big Ten expansion would set all of college sports on its ear, but perhaps especially West Virginia's league, the Big East, and, subsequently, Marshall's league, Conference USA.

Sure, expansion is all about money. But most of the money the Big Ten could reap - aside from a football championship game - would come via BTN. The reach of the successful network would widen, and a wider net would mean increased revenue.

Those involved in the possible Big Ten expansion and those potentially affected by it understand what's driving the study. It also has them thinking.

"Why couldn't we do more with television, and have a Big East television network?'' Big East commissioner John Marinatto has asked.

Good question. And it's a question those in the Big East office on Thursday said probably would be studied.

"John Marinatto and Paul Tagliabue have both said it's something they are starting to explore to see what's involved,'' Mike Parsons, WVU's deputy director of athletics, said. Tagliabue, the former NFL commissioner, has been hired by the Big East as a special adviser for strategic planning.

It's a topic the other large conferences across the country will also be exploring. The Pac-10 is discussing the idea. Surely, all will in short order.

Big Ten officials were simply shrewd enough to put their network in play early. Advantage, that league.

"The Big Ten was a natural [to start its own network] because of its history,'' Parsons said. "It has much more history in all sports than others. Plus, its members are spread out. It has a strong fan base and population.''

The question is, can the Big East pull off a similar move? Can it put together its own network?

"Can it be done? Absolutely,'' Parsons said. "Remember, the Big East was one of the innovators in college basketball television. It had its own network before eventually folding in with ESPN.''

Establishing such a network, however, is a tough gig. The Big East has premier basketball, but setting up a network is anything but a slam-dunk.

"The ACC, all the other conferences, are in the same boat [as the Big East],'' Parsons said. "We have the content, but you also have to have distribution. That was an uphill battle even for the Big Ten.

"You have to have demand, subscriber demand. Then there are other factors that come into play. There are existing [television] contracts. There are a lot of variables.''

The Big East contracts with ESPN and ABC in football and ESPN and CBS in basketball extend through 2013-14.

Of course, in all likelihood, such contracts would remain in place with modifications. The Big Ten still gives CBS and ESPN first dibs in football and basketball. After that, however, is where the BTN steps in, creating a large footprint - with the now very real possibility of shaking the ground of college sports.

The existing network is already a big success. According to the Sports Business Journal, BTN paid out $22 million to member schools in 2008. Big East schools are making around $4.5 million from TV.

"I'd be naïve to sit here and spout off what could be made [via a Big East network],'' Parsons said. "We have to find out if it can be done, if it does make sense. It's certainly intriguing, though.''

Indeed, something to keep an eye on.

Reach Mitch Vingle at 304-348-4827, mitchvin...@wvgazette.com or follow him at http://twitter.com/MitchVingle.