North Carolina State University Athletics
ACC, Swofford Defend Expansion Plans
6/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Pack Athletics
June 9, 2003
GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 8, 2003) - Despite the lawsuit filed in Connecticut last week on behalf of several schools aiming to disrupt the University of Miami and Boston College from exploring a potential invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference, ACC officials continue to move forward with their process and deliberations concerning the possibility of expansion.
"We are disappointed with the actions taken, particularly when one of the plaintiffs initiated a visit to our office last month and expressed a desire to join the Atlantic Coast Conference," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "Regardless, the ACC and its nine member institutions will continue to be proactive in the evaluation of opportunities that best serve the interests of the league, our member institutions, and our student-athletes.
"Conference expansion and institutional realignment is not a new concept and is not a creation of the ACC," Swofford explained. "The last decade has seen unprecedented movement between conferences with some of the most notable examples being the creation the Big 12 Conference, Conference USA and Mountain West Conference and the expansion of the Southeastern Conference, in addition to the Big East's four expansions since 1990. This trend is likely to continue whether or not Miami, Boston College, and Syracuse join the Atlantic Coast Conference."
It is well-documented that every conference in the country expressly allows a member to withdraw and has by-laws that detail the notice requirements and all financial obligations a member must satisfy to do so.
"NCAA institutions are free to associate with other institutions that they deem most in harmony with their academic and athletic mission," said Swofford. "The ACC has acted properly and legally throughout this process and is unaware of any conduct by Miami, Boston College, or Syracuse that would violate the terms of their by-laws or that could bind them to the Big East against their will, should they desire to change their current conference affiliation.
"This process is about ensuring the ACC's role in the future of college athletics and providing our student-athletes and institutions with the best possible opportunities going forward," Swofford stated.
While the discussions of expansion are advanced concerning Boston College, the University of Miami and Syracuse University, a formal vote of the nine-member school presidents, which is mandatory in order to proceed to the invitation stage, has not been taken. "The process of expansion is complicated and requires due diligence," said Swofford. "This process is not complete, but we do plan to continue and ultimately our member institutions will decide whether or not expanding is a viable option."
