Count Notre Dame as the latest school to defect from the Big East Conference when it was announced on Wednesday that the Fighting Irish will be joining the Atlantic Coast Conference.

In an official ACC press release, the conference expressed excitement about their newest member who will be participating in all sports except football and hockey:

The Atlantic Coast Conference Council of Presidents has unanimously voted to accept the University of Notre Dame as a new member. The Irish will compete as full members in all conference sponsored sports with the exception of football which will play five games annually against league programs.

"We are committed to keeping the Atlantic Coast Conference a vibrant and competitive league dedicated to ensuring the appropriate balance of academics, athletics and integrity," said the ACC Council of Presidents in a joint statement. "The addition of Notre Dame further strengthens the rich tradition and culture of the ACC as well as allowing for future academic collaboration and we enthusiastically welcome them into the league."

Notre Dame joined the Big East in 1995 and now follows Pitt and Syracuse, who will also be moving over to the ACC from their former conference as well.

Notre Dame's hockey team plays in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. Last October, ND announced plans to join the Hockey East conference beginning in 2013-14. The ACC does not offer Division I hockey.

Notre Dame Will Join ACC, Football Remains Independent (via sbnation)

For more on Notre Dame's move to the ACC, be sure to check out their SB Nation blog, One Foot Down.