VT has a full enrollment of almost 40,000, uva 25,000 VT has the largest alumni base in DMV (larger than UVA, and equal to MD).... Also the largest concentration of VT alumni are based in DVM. Then Richmond Hampton Roads, and Charlotte. Where is UVA. When ACC expanded they had their initial search committee and picked Cuse, BC and Miami, they had a consultant and boom that as the recommendation. HOWEVER, after they were forced to screen VT, al the consultant numbers didnt jive. VT numbers exceeded those three. It was the process, and at the end the ACC is very pleased for VT... This is the lesson in the 2023. These conferences are relying alot on the networks for 'consultant advice" and these consultants have a reputation and have big guys attached to them, but at the end, they really dont do the do diligence and it relies on those big guys who know nothing except their perceptions. Our answer is just be successful right now 1) win and be successful on the field, 2) pack all the home games and actually alot of the road games, 3) give compelling media stories, 4) work NIL (which VT is doing very well, funding wise, and those moneys are not available for public dissemination. And the other cultural thing is the integration of athletics to the brand of the university . The outstanding academic reputation does matter. Its a demonstration of balance.