North Carolina State University Athletics
Fowler, Committee Discuss Sites for ACC Title Game
6/30/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
June 30, 2004
By Tony Haynes
An ACC sub-committee that includes NC State athletics director Lee Fowler met on Wednesday to discuss the cities vying to host the first ACC Championship football game in 2005. No finalists were selected, although league commissioner John Swofford did say that the ACC hopes to choose a venue by early fall in order allow the host city more than a year to prepare for the contest.
During Wednesday's session, the sub-committee discussed proposals from Baltimore, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Washington D.C. Joining Fowler on the panel are Clemson A.D. Terry Don Phillips, Florida State's Dave Hart and Ron Wellman of Wake Forest.
"We're fortunate to have a number of cities in our geographic footprint that are capable of doing a superb job of hosting the ACC Football Championship Game and we are extremely pleased with the enthusiasm and commitment that these cities have expressed with their responses to potentially hosting this game," said Swofford. "The group will be requesting some additional information from the cities. Ultimately, the sub-committee's recommendation will go before the league's Athletics Directors and Faculty Representatives for a final decision. We anticipate having a final decision no later than early fall, which will allow the chosen site well over a year to prepare."
With the addition of Virginia Tech and Miami this fall, the ACC will expand from nine to 11 schools. But because the NCAA mandates that a conference must consist of 12 schools before it can hold a title game in football, the ACC won't be permitted to stage its first championship game until after Boston College becomes a league member in 2005. Due to contractual obligations, B.C. is being forced to maintain its ties with the Big East for one more year.
The big TV winner in the ACC Championship game sweepstakes is ABC, which ironed out a seven-year broadcast rights deal to televise the title tilt back in May.
