Stanford and Cal join the ACC: Jim Phillips said “thrilled to welcome”

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.

Bernard Muir, Stanford director of athletics

Conference affiliations and the broadcast revenue they generate provide key financial support for the wide array of sports that Stanford offers.

Jim Knowlton, Cal director of athletics

When you look at the quality of the institutions in the ACC, this is an incredible fit. Our student-athletes will continue to compete at the highest level, while getting a degree from one of the world's best universities.

John Wildhack, Syracuse director of athletics

I feel better about the ACC. I think it’s a healthier ACC. I think it’s a stronger ACC,

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,

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.

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.

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,

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