Stanford, Cal and SMU join the ACC over objections from inside the league
The ACC Board of Directors voted to admit Cal, SMU and Stanford on September 1, 2023, over public objections from inside the league.
Michael Alford, Florida State athletic director
All three schools are outstanding academic and athletic institutions, and our vote against expansion does not reflect on their quality, …
Associated Press, via Boston.com
The day of the vote
Richard Saller, Stanford University president
Student-athletes come to Stanford to pursue their highest academic and athletic potential, and joining the ACC gives us the ability to continue offering them that opportunity at a national level.
Carol Christ, UC Berkeley chancellor
The athletes care deeply about being able to play at the highest level of competition and to play with like schools, …
CBS News Bay Area, Sep 1, 2023
Associated Press, via CBS News Bay Area (KPIX)
The additions of Cal, SMU and Stanford enhance and strengthen the ACC academically, athletically and financially as well as create true national conference that spans coast to coast.
Atlantic Coast Conference, Sep 1, 2023
Text of the ACC release as published on Duke Athletics (goduke.com)
Carol T. Christ, UC Berkeley chancellor
We are very pleased with the outcome, which will support the best interests of our student-athletes and aligns with Berkeley’s values …
Jim Phillips, ACC commissioner
We are thrilled to welcome three world-class institutions to the ACC, and we look forward to having them compete as part of our amazing league.
Atlantic Coast Conference, Sep 1, 2023
Text of the ACC release as published on Duke Athletics (goduke.com)
Who objected
Objects to the move or voted against it
UNC Board of Trustees
Although we respect the academic excellence and the athletic programs of those institutions, the travel distances for routine in-conference competitive play are too great for this arrangement to make sense for our student athletes, coaches, alumni and fans …
Statement, via WNCN (digital-release.cbs17.com)
Related
- Jul 29, 2021Texas and Oklahoma move to the SEC
- Sep 10, 2021The Big 12 adds BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF
- Jun 30, 2022USC and UCLA leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten
- Jul 27, 2023Colorado returns to the Big 12
- Aug 4, 2023Oregon and Washington join the Big Ten
- Aug 4, 2023Arizona, Arizona State and Utah leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12
- Stanford and Cal join the ACCThis page
- Dec 22, 2023Florida State sues the ACC
Sources
News and releases
Boston.com, Sep 1, 2023·Archived copy“ACC becomes latest super conference, expanding cross-country by adding Stanford, Cal and SMU”
- Atlantic Coast Conference, Sep 1, 2023·Archived copy
“ACC Announces Additions of Cal, SMU, Stanford”
- Stanford Athletics, Sep 1, 2023·Archived copy
“Stanford to Join the Atlantic Coast Conference in August 2024”
California Golden Bears Athletics, Sep 1, 2023·Archived copy“UC Berkeley To Join ACC For 2024-25 Academic Year”
Release by Cal Athletics (calbears.com)
- CBS News Bay Area, Sep 1, 2023·Archived copy
“Cal, Stanford to ACC: Schools believe move was needed for survival”
- WNCN, Sep 1, 2023
“UNC-Chapel Hill opposes inviting Stanford, California, SMU as ACC expansion members, board of trustees say”