One thing, was VT dream to join the ACC, these schools were the schools that were with them in the Southern and left. VT wanted to get into the ACC at anyway possible, geographic fit, easy for fans to meet. The ACC thing was more Stegar and Weaver followed. (weaver wanted to just stay in the Big East, felt VT did not have the resources and base to compete in the ACC or higher, simply VT maxed out.) Stegar is a VT graduate, architecture, and had many amazing assignments in the University from Dean of Architecture School, Chief of Development and finally University president. His reputation, he was a consensus builder, with the university, with the General Assembly with collegiate sports. When the news of Big East and ACC issues, he ratcheted it up, 1) first fight it (to buy time), 2) use every political capital (cashed all his chips) and VT get into the ACC. No way Stegar and BOV wanted to go to the SEC, (they didnt want to be branded such universities as tenn, Stegar wanted the VT brand to be with UVA, UNC, NC State, Maryland, Penn State. Also, we might say it's wrong, but after Dooley, the program was in excessive debt, (due to lack of sound business management). VT gave Athletics a loan to get out of it, (remember the Dutch Bouchmann, Dave Braine time). So VT watched every penny, reduced expenses, and frankly got out of it . Many leaders felt never go down that train again. So Big East was very good, ACC perfect. and that's it. In the future, behind the older generation, there is extreme concern, if the institution can operate in the SEC/Big 10 environment. I say hell yeah.....The school is the flagship university of the state and with 35-40 k school, much different than 2002