Pitt, Syracuse move ACC ahead in college hypocrisy derby
That's SEC's Mike Slive to left and ACC's John Swofford in middle. Each plot to take over world.
Congratulations ACC: You just killed a conference.
Funny. That never was mentioned in the ACC-Syracuse-Pittsburgh teleconference Sunday morning. It was all about patting each other on the back and — let me quote John Swofford directly: “This is a monumental day in the history of our league.”
The Big East? Collateral damage.
The ACC confirmed this morning what had been speculated for a few days: It walked through the back door of the Big East when nobody was looking and the lights were turned out and heisted Syracuse and Pitt from the Big East. And the buildings in college sports Armageddon continue to crumble.
Wake me when college presidents hold their next press conference on the virtues of amateur athletics and academic reform.
After Pacific 10 expansion (with more to come), and impending SEC expansion with Texas A&M (with more to come) and Big Ten expansion (with more to come), the ACC again proved it’s just as bad as the rest of them.
Tradition and regional rivalries and all the makes college sports so wonderfully unique just took another hit. This all comes with a fatter television contract serving as the primary — make that only — motivating factor. The next college president who waves the flag of amateurism gets a pie in the face.
Just can’t wait for those natural geographic rivalry games between Syracuse and Wake Forest, and Pitt and Clemson. The ACC will now have 14 members spread over nine states: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts.
When do they move north into the Maritimes or south into Cuba? The conference schedule should come with a GPS. Or a rail pass. Or a space shuttle.
When the Big East folds into oblivion — or at least is rendered meaningless on the college sports landscape — it can point to the ACC as the relative Axis powers, having lost five schools to the conference: Boston College, Miami, Virginia Tech, Pitt, Syracuse.
Yeah, I guess I’m just old. I’ve been banging on this drum for weeks. What others see as progress, I see as a wrecking ball. Four 16-team conferences, which is where we’re headed, accomplishes nothing in the big picture.
All it does is shoot the big picture full of holes.
Some Recent blogs on this topic:
• Texas A&M’s move to SEC evidence of NCAA’s lost mission
• Big 12 schools may sue if Texas A&M leaves for SEC
• Problem in college athletics isn’t kids, its guys in suits
the headache go away. We’ll know more over the next few weeks.
By Jeff Schultz
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360 comments Add your comment
bhamwreck
September 18th, 2011
11:26 am
next (good) idea: Get rid of the intrasquad spring game and play a true “exhibition” game against another actual team. As much as we love college football its really only around for 1/4 of the year. Make the fans happy…..
bamaguy
September 18th, 2011
11:27 am
I heard Bear Bryant speak at an alumni meeting the summer before he passed. One of the things he talked about was all the new “cable networks” increasing the number of televised games and how that was going to make it possible for schools to make a profit on football. In his day, the big name schools broke even and didn’t cost the university anything out of their regular budget. He cautioned that this might bring some very negative consequences. Once again, wise old Bear.
Jeff Schultz
September 18th, 2011
11:27 am
I’m just saying — Understand ACC is doing what it thinks it needs to do to stay alive. Doesn’t make it right. My view: It’s like an arms race. Is that right?
playmeortrademe
September 18th, 2011
11:28 am
Just speaking the truth, JS….
Forgot about the catholics and the mormons, they will be invited too, but they might want to think about finding a conference home before it is all said and done. I think they both are losing relevance quickly and the other kids will not want to share the ESPN money pie.
NikkiFree
September 18th, 2011
11:28 am
Whatever moves us closer to a playoff format, I’m all for that. If it means 16-team conferences then so be it.
UF in a mirror is FU
September 18th, 2011
11:28 am
At this time I only wonder, what would Sonny Clusters say?
GR82BAG8R
September 18th, 2011
11:29 am
Jeff, I agree it has nothing to do with academics, but you want a conference to consist of schools with similar academic programs – - and allowances for athletes – - or you will end up with a bunch of Vanderbilt’s and one or two powerhouses.
Texas better think twice about joining the ACC. FSU and Miami used to be natioanal title contenders until they joined the ACC. Look what the ACC did to them…..
tc
September 18th, 2011
11:31 am
Gordon: No I don’t think the sec will stay at 13 teams. I am just responding to claims of “poaching” Texas A & M by the sec. it is hard to say that the sec poached TAM when clearly TAM is dieing to join the sec and had made it clear that they were leaving their conference regardless of where they went.
ACC Outsmarts the "experts"
September 18th, 2011
11:33 am
Yeah, go ahead and bash the ACC for being shrewd, smart and proactive.
I guess all just sit around and wait for the SEC and Texas to control and determine expansion. That’s what the lazy non-thinkers would do.
Since the SEC has probably destroyed the Big 12 by dealing with A&M, they, the SEC (not the ACC) in effect have accelerated the demise of the Big East.
Now if Texas and another complementary school follow into the ACC, you will have more than hypocrisy to cry about – you may have to clamour to break up this new powerhouse.
So go ahead and be sanctimonius and declare hypocrisy – but I suggest you look into your SEC mirror first.
lanier
September 18th, 2011
11:35 am
Im a football guy so I think all adding these 2 patsies to the ACC just weakens its strength. Everyone says its a weak football conference and now its weaker.
The hell with the ACC im gonna be an all SEC fan now
bhamwreck
September 18th, 2011
11:35 am
Any ideas on how a 16 team conference would work? Would you still play 5 divisional opponents and 3 cross divisional opponents? By the way, how many times have I heard lately on TV that teams separating conferences has to mean the end of rivalries? I heard this on the BYU – Utah game last night. Aren’t there three good examples of permanent cross-conference rivalries in the ACC-SEC?
ACC Outsmarts the "experts"
September 18th, 2011
11:36 am
“”Im a football guy so I think all adding these 2 patsies to the ACC just weakens its strength. Everyone says its a weak football conference and now its weaker.
The hell with the ACC im gonna be an all SEC fan now”"
Love the thoughful insight here.
rph240
September 18th, 2011
11:36 am
As a Pitt graduate, it is hard to leave the WVU rivalry and the Big East in hoops. But, change is inevitable and survival critical. The Big East has been slightly better the past few years than the ACC in hoops, but that now changes. Pitt and Syracuse are getting stronger in hoops and in football. The ACC is a natural for us. This makes the ACC the elite basketball conference again plus the TV markets. Fans will love coming to Pittsburgh. It is a cool city. Come on up, “ya’ll”. or as we say in the ‘Burgh,”younz”.
tc
September 18th, 2011
11:36 am
ACC Outmarts: Define the sec “dealing with A&M”
GR82BAG8R
September 18th, 2011
11:37 am
Texas destroyed the Big-12, not the SEC. If Texas had shared its revenue from the Longhorn network, Nebraska and Colorado would never have left. The Automatic Teller Machines would likewise never have petitioned the SEC to joing.
Texas is the instigator of all this…
Sid Black
September 18th, 2011
11:37 am
That’s interesting: it’s the private, small enrollment basketball-first schools in the northeast (like SU) that are destroying “tradition” in college sports. All this time I thought it was the big football factories in the south and midwest who’d hijacked the agenda in college sports, forcing hands of the few private schools who bothered to try to stay competitive on the un-level playing field of D1-A football. And I was under the mistaken impression that the ACC’s first raid on the Big East was a football motivated retrenchment to compete with the SEC, to survive in the BCS, and to get a beach head in the northeast’s media markets. In reality, it’s actually the “hypocrisy” of school’s in the north with the temerity to remain private and make a go of playing football.
Back in the real world, it seems inevitable that UConn will be next, with perhaps Lousiville or Rutgers. UConn and Rutgers would give ACC uncontested ownership of the NY market (and every market on the eastern seaboard). UConn would give BC the New England rivalry it desperately needs (to return from the witness relocation progam that the ACC has been for them). And it should please the pedants in the crowd that all of the additions (save Pitt) would represent states with actual Atlantic coastlines. (it will interest some ACC fans that the ocean’s shores extend beyond Virginia Beach.
Get ready for a Yankee Division that will be comprised of the capetbaggers the ACC stole (SU, Pitt, BC, UConn and Rutgers) plus VT, UVa, and UM. And then a Plantation Division of the schools from the Carolinas, Georgia, and Fla. (Perhaps the General Grant and General Sherman divisions?)
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
September 18th, 2011
11:41 am
Maybe the ACC will go after McGill next. Montreal would make for a heck of a road trip – great food and “entertainment”.
Big Enos Burdette
September 18th, 2011
11:41 am
Schultzie, you’re always crying about how this destroys college athletics. More money means more support for the sports that aren’t in the limelight (gymnastics, wrestling, lacrosse etc…), which means more kids attending colleges on scholarships.
bamaguy
September 18th, 2011
11:41 am
I know this is self-serving, but these mega conferences are not good for those of us who have been buying season ticket packages long enough to also get tickets to the away games. As it stands now, we can drive to any away game in the SEC. I will not being driving to College Station. I had not thought of the Miami/Syracuse game. Geez.
tc
September 18th, 2011
11:43 am
You know, I have decided that I don’t really give a rip about what happens with the conferences. What is really the big deal anyway? Schools with good football programs will probably stay good and schools with crappy programs will stay crappy. I guess the only difference is that the crappy schools will get less money (as it should be). They have been getting more than their fair share for years. No wonder the better programs want out of the crappy conferences.
George Stein
September 18th, 2011
11:43 am
I’d be open to paying the players, Jeff. I actually think we should.
My problem with the system as it currently stands is that the players can be fired after each season. I think the NCAA should either pay the players and keep them on one year renewable scholarships or give them four year scholarships, which would prevent coaches from firing them for their athletic performance.
david
September 18th, 2011
11:43 am
I agree with you Jeff, the players should be paid. When coaches & ADs are getting paid millions of dollars
GT Trumpet
September 18th, 2011
11:44 am
Jeff, I realize that most of this is a power play for TV contracts and more money. However, if the divisions are set up properly, many traditions and rivalries will be kept intact. The GT-ugag rivalry didn’t die when we left the SEC. Plus, new rivalries are springing up like GT-VT. College football will always evolve, and this is just the next step. It’s just unfortunate this evolution is due to money more than any other factor.
ACC Outsmarts the "experts"
September 18th, 2011
11:44 am
“”ACC Outmarts: Define the sec “dealing with A&M””"”
Well unless you are behind the news a few weeks, A&M is poised to join the SEC – it takes two to tango.
Pitt and Syracuse petitioned the ACC, and the ACC accepted. Thus, the ACC then was dealing with Pitt and Syracuse.
If the SEC was above the “hypocrisy” to quote Mr. Schultz, they would have turned a cold shoulder to A&M – the SEC did not, so they were dealing just like the ACC.
Please be aware that I am not pointing fingers at either the SEC or ACC in this situation – just saying that one is no more to blame for busting up conferences that the other – I was more pointing out Schultz’s hypocrisy.
I am excited about Pitt and Cuse in the ACC, and it will be exciting to see who the SEC adds to complement A&M.
playmeortrademe
September 18th, 2011
11:45 am
@ Sid Black
“UConn would give BC the New England rivalry it desperately needs (to return from the witness relocation progam that the ACC has been for them).”
hilarious comment….
ACCFan
September 18th, 2011
11:45 am
Several random thoughts.
This current and last realignment is going to get us a to a 4 team playoff in college football. So I love expansion. The lack of a playoff has always been the biggest problem with the sport. I’m not happy that Kansas State, South Florida, and Baylor will become mid-majors. But not everybody can win all the time, that’s life.
Academics are not the primary driver, but they are a factor. That is why West Virginia is not on the ACC’s list, and why Texas, Oklahoma and others have no interest in the SEC.
Time marches on. The world is becoming smaller. I’m sure there was a time when journalists mourned the end of Princeton and Yale as football powers. They probably made vague references to ‘money ruining the game’ or some such thing. It’s ok.
Travelling all over the country has not been an issue for C-USA. It will be even less of an issue for these new super-conferences.
I’m glad we live in a free country where conferences and schools are free to make the moves that benefit them, instead of living in a Schultz dictatorship where only the SEC is allowed to make beneficial moves without being slammed for ‘greed’.
Speaking of the SEC. GT, FSU and Clem are all off the table now. How on earth do they get to 16? aTm, West Virginia. Mizzou (if they can get them before the B1G…). And who? They are going to have to get a mid major. Silve looks really, really stupid now for his 4 schools in 15 minutes comment.
It also makes the SEC look like a joke that while the ACC is just taking what they want, the SEC is cringing in a corner, scared to death of Baylor. Man up SEC, and just take the teams you want. I’d advise you to get Mizzou now, or you’ll have to get 2 mid-majors.
The ACC is coming out of this thing smelling like a rose compared to the debacle that is SEC expansion. And they still haven’t compromised their academics.
ACCFan
September 18th, 2011
11:46 am
If an arms-race is what free people in a free country want, then yes, an arms race is right.
bhamwreck
September 18th, 2011
11:47 am
So for years and years there have been Iowa State – Baylor conference games and Washington – Arizona State conference games and even Arkansas Florida (16 hour drive) conference games but suddenly its about travel distance? please…
david
September 18th, 2011
11:48 am
Miami and Syracuse played each other fro over 10 years. Even though Syracuse is a little small town, but it’s expense to fly and rent a car there it high because of the fees and taxes in the city. That is why very few Miami fans travel to the games when they were in the Big East. Boston, Phily, and Jersey isn’t cheap either.
ACCFan
September 18th, 2011
11:48 am
Last thought, let’s cool down the hyperbole comparing college athletics conferences to nukes.
Steven
September 18th, 2011
11:52 am
Jeff – In your May 18, 2010 blog about the start of this landscape change (http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/05/18/georgia-tech-acc-content-to-watch-expansion-for-now/) you said “At some point, the ACC will have to react.” while saying “The SEC is proactive on all matters with a dollar sign.” I think most of us wish expansion was not occurring, but it is. I don’t think it’s fair to paint one conference as evil when the dominoes are falling all over the country.
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
September 18th, 2011
11:53 am
GR82BAG8R – This is a stretch but the Delaware River at Marcus Hook in SE PA is tidal – meaning it is part of the Atlantic Ocean.
playmeortrademe
September 18th, 2011
11:53 am
The only thing stopping West Virginia from joining the SEC would be West Virginia. The ACC ain’t coming for the Mountaineers, but WV gives the SEC even 7-team divisions and another public state university on the border of the current boundary. The SEC isn’t much for the private schools so I don’t think they expand to Louisville or TCU unless they get desperate for 16 teams. TCU would be the Vandy of the West if they joined.
Texas isn’t coming to the SEC for academic and more importantly, competitive reasons, and Oklahoma and OK State will be like ducks following the momma goose.
Gordon
September 18th, 2011
11:54 am
Jeff,
I guess I don’t understand your comment to “I’m just saying” where you say you understand that the ACC is doing what it needs to do to survive, but you don’t think it is right.
If the ACC stands pat, their member schools (or at least the ones that don’t get poached) will suffer. So they try to protect themselves by offering schools outside their conference membership, which they are free to accept or decline, as well as unanimously voting to increase the exit fee to a point where it would be very difficult to leave. So either way there are going to be schools that have to make adjustments to a new environment and may have to find a new home. The only other way I can think of is that the NCAA forbids any conference to be larger than 12 schools, or for it to approve any changes in conference membership.
It would be nice if money wasn’t such a driver in everything, including sports. But I just don’t know how you can fault the ACC for trying to stay relavent or even survive at all.
TexGT
September 18th, 2011
11:54 am
The ACC sucks. We have a decent shot for Texas, and we pass for Syracuse and Pitt. Really? Those programs are terrible. Way to improve the conference Swofford. How will we compete when the Big Ten, Pac 12, SEC, are already far superior, AND will be picking up more QUALITY teams, not crap Big East teams? I vote fire Swofford.
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
September 18th, 2011
11:55 am
Jeff – it does appear to be an arms race, along the lines of what happened in the Cold War. The strategic picture was called Mutual Assured Destruction (aka MAD)
TexGT
September 18th, 2011
11:58 am
Can’t wait to travel to middle of nowhere New York…
Gordon
September 18th, 2011
11:58 am
I wouldn’t want any team that wants the rules to be different for itself than for everyone else. Let Texas and Notre Dame be independents.
5150 UOAD
September 18th, 2011
11:59 am
The WORLD was going to end in the 18th century because it couldn’t Feed all the people. 1/2 the people were growing food to feed everybody and as the population grew EXPERTS said the world couldn’t Survive.
Jeff the world is here and few people are needed to grow the worlds food because technology and adaptation. I am sure College Football will do the same
Jeff to see that the newspaper business is Dying fast.
How are you going to change Technology and Adapt?
George Stein
September 18th, 2011
11:59 am
Eh, Texas probably adds enough value that they get to have the rules adjusted for them, Gordon.
BeeCan
September 18th, 2011
12:00 pm
Come guys! Pitt and SU???? This has turned to a race to 16. This is not what is best for the ACC. Might as well be Troy and MTSU! This only weakens the ACC as a whole. Who is going to get excited about these guys coming to Bobby Dodd? I am a lifelong Jackets fan but this is just plain weak! I am ready to get out of the ACC if this becomes reality. Hopefully the big ten will ask us to join them because the ACC just added another Duke and Wake with this move.
Gordon
September 18th, 2011
12:03 pm
BeeCan,
It is obvious Tech or any other member of the ACC isn’t going anywhere. We all just agreed to a $20M buyout to leave the conference.
George Stein,
Then let Texas go to the SEC or the PAC-12. I would be happy if we added UConn and Rutgers and that was that.
George Stein
September 18th, 2011
12:04 pm
I think I agree, BeeCan. I’m not sure what these schools really add. Plus, I favor 6 twelve team leagues as opposed to 4 sixteen team leagues. It creates 8 additional spots at the big boy table.
bhamwreck
September 18th, 2011
12:04 pm
Spent 6 months in Pittsburgh – beautiful town with lots of history and things to see and do. More bridges than any big city in the US. Consider taking the trip. They also have a decent football tradition.
SEC fan says...
September 18th, 2011
12:04 pm
ACCFan… please put the crack pipe down and seek help.
Steven
September 18th, 2011
12:09 pm
TexGT – Can’t wait to travel to middle of nowhere New York? I was at the Kansas game yesterday and I think it’s safe to say GT fans will not travel to Bobby Dodd Stadium. There were at least 20,000 empty seats and the alumni section (where I was sitting) had as much energy as a funeral wake. I agree that SU and Pitt don’t leave me giddy (but who with ACC level academics could be added?), but maybe there is a case for stones and glass houses.
SkyBuss
September 18th, 2011
12:10 pm
Jeff,
I agree that these changes are not good for college football AND I wish they were not happening. However, I don’t think you can characterise the moves by the ACC for self preservation as wrong. Not persuing a course to keep its members relevant in college sports WOULD be. The ACC is not usually agressive but since it is not working from a position of strength like other conferences, this was the only course it could take. Maybe the whole situation is wrong, but the ACC made the right move for its conference members. What esle could it do….dissolve the conference?
SkyBuzz
Jeff Schultz
September 18th, 2011
12:11 pm
Paul in NH: “Maybe the ACC will go after McGill next. Montreal would make for a heck of a road trip – great food and “entertainment”
Haha.
Jeff Schultz
September 18th, 2011
12:12 pm
Big Enos Burdette — “Schultzie, you’re always crying about how this destroys college athletics. More money means more support for the sports that aren’t in the limelight (gymnastics, wrestling, lacrosse etc…), which means more kids attending colleges on scholarships.”
Do you believe in the Easter Bunny too?
ACC Outsmarts the "experts"
September 18th, 2011
12:12 pm
“”Can’t wait to travel to middle of nowhere New York…”"
Ever been to Starkville???????????????