UConn president says student athletes her priority

STORRS, Conn. (AP) University of Connecticut president Susan Herbst says she is making the student-athlete her priority as she tries to navigate the school through the changing landscape of athletic conferences.

Herbst declined comment Wednesday when asked directly if UConn would leave the Big East for the ACC should an invitation be issued.

The ACC recently lost Maryland to the Big 10. Connecticut and Louisville have been the focus of speculation as to who might replace the Terrapins as the 14th member of the conference.

Herbst also would not comment on discussions with the ACC, or say when a decision might be made.

"I don't know when the realignment ends or how it settles," she said. "But I think we really just have to focus on students and then everything will be OK."

Updated November 27, 2012