Boston University is leaving the America East for Patriot League next season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Boston University is leaving the America East Conference and joining the Patriot League in the 2013-14 academic year, according CBSSports.com.

“We are very impressed by the academic quality of the institutions in the Patriot League and by the League’s commitment to student-athletes while effectively competing at the NCAA Division I level,” Boston University President Robert A. Brown said in a statement. “We believe that the philosophy of the League is a good match for Boston University and that the schools in the League will give our athletes a rich competitive environment.”

American, Bucknell, Colgate, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Army and Navy are the other members of the Patriot League. Boston University was a target for the CAA since it lost Old Dominion and VCU.

The Terrier basketball team went 16-16 and 12-4 in conference play last season.