It's worth remembering that
We spent over 50 years trying to get into the ACC and we should think long and hard before leaving it. We were the red-headed step-child for many years. I take second place to no man in my disdain for UNC, but State, Duke, Clemson, UVa, Wake are all schools that I grew up with as a young man. I could do without BC and Syracuse and I'm not thrilled with Miami, but am in tune with the traditional ACC schools. Would that USC and Maryland were still in the ACC where they belong.
6 Replies
D
duro
2y
Is that once we got in it only took us about 7 years or so to decline to be a mediocre football program that has always defined the ACC outside of Clemson and FSU. We had better hope the ACC stays together as our president, athletic director, and administration are very comfortable with our current situation and have no desire whatsoever to commit the resources necessary to field a nationally competitive football program.
They like things just the way they are thank you very much! And quite frankly a significant portion of the fan base has adopted this same line of thinking. The administration has never and still doesn’t cultivate a culture of giving back to the university either academically or athletically.
Even though we hold every measurable advantage over Clemson (living alumni, higher average income, larger more affluent state, larger student body etc.) the largest concentration of our alumni are centered in and around northern Virginia and the northern states where there is little to no college football culture. Our fanbase simply isn’t willing to support the football program to a level that will allow it to compete at a nationally relevant level and our administration’s goals are a reflection of that reality.
Clemson on the other hand is located in a smaller and much poorer state with a smaller student body, smaller living alumni with graduates making less money on average blow us away on every measurable when it comes to supporting their football program.
(In response to this post by dobrohokie)
2y
The question is simple.
From this point forward, is VT better in the ACC?
If the answer is yes, then work hard to keep it together. If not, then try to leave.
Past desires are irrelevant. If you plan your future based on dreams or goals you had long ago you will likely find yourself stuck in the past when everyone else moves forward. The ACC of the 1980's in unrecognizable to the ACC of 2000, which is unrecognizable to the ACC of 2020. Does VT want to be in the ACC of 2040? Maybe, but maybe not.
The world is dynamic and evolves. If you're not evolving, you're dying.
(In response to this post by dobrohokie)
Good points Who's to say the mega-mergers will work out either. I have
long contended that the network models, particulary ESPN may collapse and that revenue stream dries up. Streaming may actually be a good thing, but only to mega enrollment universities with large alumni bases and states without other sports avenues. i.e. Alabaman's
(In response to this post by jesuisvtguy)
2y
Unfortunately the financial is a big enough difference to trump Everything else. Same could be said for probably everybody in the ACC.
(In response to this post by jesuisvtguy)
2y
(In response to this post by jesuisvtguy)