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BC's Press Release with regard to joining the ACC - Academic standards is held in high regard at this institution. Great props to GT and others as they look forward to joining the ACC's academic elite. ACC schools stand only behind the Ivy League in academic hierarchy and The BC Eagles bring so much to this table with a Top 40 Ranking and some darn good sports programs!
Contact: Jack Dunn
Director of Public Affairs
617-552-3350
BOSTON COLLEGE STATEMENT REGARDING ACC CONFERENCE EXPANSION
In response to the recent complaint filed by several members of the Big East Conference against the University of Miami, Boston College and the Atlantic Coast Conference, Boston College issues the following statement:
As the facts clearly indicate, there has never been any illegality in Miami, Boston College or Syracuse’s decision to consider the ACC’s offer to join its conference.
At no time did Boston College take any action regarding conference expansion that was illegal or inappropriate. In fact, as the plaintifs know, the reason the complaint is devoid of any specific allegations of wrongdoing by Boston College is because no evidence of wrongdoing exists.
Colleges and universities have a right to change their conference affiliations. In fact, more than 70 NCAA schools have changed their affiliations within recent years, including four within the Big East since 1990. All have done so without lawsuits or acrimony, or without facing carefully orchestrated attacks by high-priced PR firms. All have done so because change occurs regularly within the NCAA.
The Big East Conference’s constitution and by-laws clearly outline the process of conference withdrawal. They state: “A member may withdraw from the Conference by providing written notice of withdrawal to each of the members and the commissioner at least one year in advance of the start of the Conference year for which the withdrawal should be effective.”
All three institutions have and will continue to follow these guidelines agreed upon by all of the Big East schools.
Miami, Syracuse and Boston College did not enter into the consideration of conference realignment lightly. All three schools have valued and appreciated our mutually beneficial association with the Big East. If the schools do not join the ACC, all three would expect a continued future with our Big East partners.
However, the fact remains that all NCAA schools have a right to explore options that are in their best interest. From our standpoint, the invitation to consider joining the ACC, however difficult, provides us with an opportunity that could be in our best interest both academically and athletically.
From an academic standpoint, playing sports in the ACC positions us with five other top 40-academic ranked institutions—Duke, Wake Forest, UNC, Virginia and Georgia Tech. The ACC ranks second only to the Ivy League in the number of top ranked conference schools and we appreciate the fact that our longstanding commitment to academic and athletic excellence has made us attractive to the nation’s best conferences. Currently, we are the only top-40 university in the Big East Football Conference.
From an athletic standpoint, competing in the ACC enables us to secure our future by joining a league that meets all of our athletic needs. We are proud of the fact that our rich football tradition, including the 1941 Sugar Bowl National Championship, the glory years of Doug Flutie and four current, consecutive bowl appearances, as well as our success in other sports including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer, make us desirable among the nation’s best athletic conferences.
As stewards of the University, Boston College’s leaders have an obligation to consider that which is in the best interest of Boston College academically and athletically. We have explored an option, and done so within the framework agreed upon by all league members.
We look forward to the resolution of this matter.
Contact: Jack Dunn
Director of Public Affairs
617-552-3350
BOSTON COLLEGE STATEMENT REGARDING ACC CONFERENCE EXPANSION
In response to the recent complaint filed by several members of the Big East Conference against the University of Miami, Boston College and the Atlantic Coast Conference, Boston College issues the following statement:
As the facts clearly indicate, there has never been any illegality in Miami, Boston College or Syracuse’s decision to consider the ACC’s offer to join its conference.
At no time did Boston College take any action regarding conference expansion that was illegal or inappropriate. In fact, as the plaintifs know, the reason the complaint is devoid of any specific allegations of wrongdoing by Boston College is because no evidence of wrongdoing exists.
Colleges and universities have a right to change their conference affiliations. In fact, more than 70 NCAA schools have changed their affiliations within recent years, including four within the Big East since 1990. All have done so without lawsuits or acrimony, or without facing carefully orchestrated attacks by high-priced PR firms. All have done so because change occurs regularly within the NCAA.
The Big East Conference’s constitution and by-laws clearly outline the process of conference withdrawal. They state: “A member may withdraw from the Conference by providing written notice of withdrawal to each of the members and the commissioner at least one year in advance of the start of the Conference year for which the withdrawal should be effective.”
All three institutions have and will continue to follow these guidelines agreed upon by all of the Big East schools.
Miami, Syracuse and Boston College did not enter into the consideration of conference realignment lightly. All three schools have valued and appreciated our mutually beneficial association with the Big East. If the schools do not join the ACC, all three would expect a continued future with our Big East partners.
However, the fact remains that all NCAA schools have a right to explore options that are in their best interest. From our standpoint, the invitation to consider joining the ACC, however difficult, provides us with an opportunity that could be in our best interest both academically and athletically.
From an academic standpoint, playing sports in the ACC positions us with five other top 40-academic ranked institutions—Duke, Wake Forest, UNC, Virginia and Georgia Tech. The ACC ranks second only to the Ivy League in the number of top ranked conference schools and we appreciate the fact that our longstanding commitment to academic and athletic excellence has made us attractive to the nation’s best conferences. Currently, we are the only top-40 university in the Big East Football Conference.
From an athletic standpoint, competing in the ACC enables us to secure our future by joining a league that meets all of our athletic needs. We are proud of the fact that our rich football tradition, including the 1941 Sugar Bowl National Championship, the glory years of Doug Flutie and four current, consecutive bowl appearances, as well as our success in other sports including men’s and women’s basketball and soccer, make us desirable among the nation’s best athletic conferences.
As stewards of the University, Boston College’s leaders have an obligation to consider that which is in the best interest of Boston College academically and athletically. We have explored an option, and done so within the framework agreed upon by all league members.
We look forward to the resolution of this matter.
