Can VT establish some rivalry with UNC?
If the SEC seeks to expand into North Carolina and Virginia, the most financially promising combination, in my view, is UNC and VT. Yet, this pairing is rarely discussed.
Instead, speculation focuses on UNC-UVa (the South’s oldest rivalry), UNC-NC State (driven by state politics), and UNC-Duke (nation’s top basketball rivalry).
I suspect VT’s lack of an existing rivalry with UNC is why and strategically thinking, VT should consider fostering a relationship with UNC to boost its chance to be invited.
So the questions are: 1) Should VT pursue more games with UNC to build some rivalry? 2) Would UNC be willing to, given that UNC already has three established rivals?
44 Replies
1y
Bass Battle on the Border!
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
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Stech
1y
instead of football that pays 80% of the bills. However, both the SEC and ESPN seem to be drinking the kool-aid. Consequently. I would not expect UNC to try to partner with Virginia Tech.
*Since joining the ACC.
** Edited by Stech at 5/12/2025, 6:28:12 PM
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
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Stech
1y
(In response to this post by Baltimore_Hokie)
UNC doesn't care about us
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
if they could have their way right now, VT would be out of the ACC tomorrow, because they're still uber-pissed they were ever invited in the first place.
We're talking about the same UNC that refused to play in the '83 Peach Bowl if VT was the opponent, causing the Peach Bowl committee to cut off negotiations with VT, who ultimately did not receive a bowl bid, despite going 9-2 on the season.
We're talking about the same UNC whose chancellor was quoted in 2003: "Our faculty are very concerned about the reputation of Virginia Tech's players and Virginia Tech's team," their chancellor said, referring to a series of arrests that occurred in 95-96, 4 years before they tried to hire Beamer. "Part of our concern all along has been the way that sports and athletes fit into the university. There is very little tolerance on our campus for misdeeds and misbehavior by athletes. I'm not saying we're any better, but I do know what happens around here when somebody gets into trouble." UNC voted against inviting VT even to the last.
F UNC. They're not a football brand. They're nothing but a big mouth backed up with a small stick. Their only real value outside of the state of North Carolina are the annual Duke-UNC basketball games. They've been dominated at football by little old redneck no shoes no shirt VT since it entered the ACC, 14 wins to 5.
Nobody from VT should be holding a hand out to UNC for help, ever.
(In response to this post by VaTechHokiesACC)
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EDGEMAN
1y
He wanted to be both the AD and the Football coach, and VT offered that to him. UNC has been POed ever since.
(In response to this post by Baltimore_Hokie)
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Stech
1y
Not to mention many great basketball players too. With no real East West interstate in Virginia, it’s easier to get to UNC than Blacksburg, and you don’t have to deal with the tractor trailer trucks on I-81. Blacksburg is the same longitude as Williamsburg, that’s how much time is wasted going north and south both ways from the 757. UNC has been taking advantage of that for many decades.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
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EDGEMAN
1y
(In response to this post by Stech)
1y
that way until maybe the last decade.
(In response to this post by EDGEMAN)
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VTCALS72
1y
(In response to this post by VaTechHokiesACC)
1y
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saret
1y
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
Years ago, when VT really wanted to get into the ACC, do you remember which ACC school it approached for a joint graduate program?
Wake Forest.
That’s right—WF, the school everyone on this board mocks.
(In response to this post by saret)
1y
Its 2025 only thing vt leadership (ad) is its worse hinderance
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
That the joint program and the ACC had anything to do with one another?
Evidence that VT approached WF?
Because it really doesn't make much sense to me.
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
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EDGEMAN
1y
...our admittance to the ACC. I'm sure it didn't hurt, but I just don't see it being made just to get WF's vote.
(In response to this post by Pylons)
1y
“We are delighted by the membership of Virginia Tech and the University of Miami. They are fine schools with great athletic departments and will support our growing academic relationships. Wake Forest and Virginia Tech already have a joint School of Biomedical Engineering and other emerging shared academic programs.”
Are you good now?
Link:
WF Hearn
(In response to this post by Pylons)
1y
Of course a president will tout whatever relationships are there... especially academic ones since I hear they're supposed to be running academic institutions. They need to make sure it doesn't look like they're just worried about the sports factory.
What else emerged academically between the WF and Miami or VT in the last couple decades?
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
(In response to this post by Pylons)
1y
Or is the whole thing actually just lip service to keep the academic lipstick on the athletics pig?
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
“VT joined the Big East for all sports, and VT president Charles Steger, who took over for Paul Torgersen in January of 2000, went to work on Wake Forest's Hearn. Over the next few years, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest started major joint academic ventures, most notably a school of Biomedical and Engineering Sciences, and Steger would use that leverage to soften Wake's resistance later on.”
Link:
See who the author is
(In response to this post by Pylons)
1y
"information from one source that may or may not be accurate"
Yes, it also says it's a great source. One that "feels they have pieces together what happened.
Also curious what the "major academic ventureS" are. I know of one. And I struggle to see how one joint graduate program leads to significant "leverage." As if WF really would have been materially harmed if VT pulled out of that over a conference membership vote?
Just doesn't pass the smell test that VT went after a joint graduate program to curry favor for conference membership.
** Edited by Pylons at 5/12/2025, 12:00:19 AM
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
The point is, VT should do what’s best for itself, which might involve approaching other schools.
(In response to this post by Pylons)
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Stech
1y
relationships and vice versa. The Ivy League started it, the AAU is not 100% B1G, but it's membership is heavily B1G schools. However, in the case of UNC, they want a relationship with UVA and they have no desire to have a relationship with Virginia Tech. I used to think that if the ACC losses a significant amount of schools, Virginia Tech ought to try to get into the SEC. However, if the ACC doesn't hold together, I really hope that both Tech and UVA go to the B1G. Academically they are much better fits, and Virginia is large enough, wealthy enough and growing enough to have two state Universities in one of the P2. Let the SEC have UNC and NCSU. If we go to the week zero out of conference rivalry week, let UNC and UVA open the season, and keep Virginia Tech and Virginia for the end of season in conference rivalry game. That also could be SEC B1G pre-season basketball matchup. You could even make a case for the same with Virginia Tech and NC State.
** Edited by Stech at 5/12/2025, 8:34:30 AM
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
And vice versa. The two have almost no impact on the other. Academics/research drive academics/research relationships. Athletics drive athletic relationships.
Just look at the recent suits against the Trump administration over research funding cuts. They have been filed by a number of individual institutions, academic affiliations (like the AAU, the association of land grant universities, etc) and states. But I don’t believe any have been joined by any of what are now (and have long been) essentially athletic conferences - because they are essentially athletic conferences.
(In response to this post by Stech)
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Stech
1y
mostly at the ice breaker level. I do agree it has to have much more than that to become anything significant, but in the ACC and the B1G in particular it matters.
I know Louisville got in, but both Florida State and Clemson were threatening to leave if we didn’t grab Louisville. That’s the exception and not the rule.
PS I know I will not change your mind on this, neither will you with me, so let’s just leave it here.
** Edited by Stech at 5/12/2025, 10:45:42 PM
(In response to this post by marcbvtgm)
1y
(In response to this post by Stech)
1y
We think so, however, UNC sees us lower than NC State. Also, their 'treasured rivalries are Duke, and UVA (the oldest rivalry in the South) and politically NC State.
From their perspective, all programs want to aspire and envrious of UNC, and they are desire to passionately beat them. (sorta a notre dame effect)
Notice after the recent ACC res-scheduling how convient that the next time UNC comes to Blacksburg is I believe 2028.
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
1y
Fans in the stands really not inportant to unc their opinion is vt fans a little too passionate for the pines of chapel hill. Unc vs duke or uvs is more their cup of tea. If rhey want a winner they can write a check. Unc does what unc wants and they dont need anyone in a partnership
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
UNC absolutely prefers UVa and Duke.
Still, they did put up with us during the coastal division era. I always wonder why they (UNC, Duke, UVa) chose VT instead of UMCP for the coastal division.
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
1y
And I don't think it would amount to a hill of beans for conference membership
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
strongly veto us.
(In response to this post by Pylons)
1y
Of "vetoing" anyone. They're not going to be some instant power broker rocking the boat.
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
(In response to this post by Pylons)
1y
Message board posters, mom's basement podcasters, and TwitterX keyboard jockeys have little credibility and lack influence over those that matter for realignment (and even "legitimate journalists" likely don't really know what's going on...they just need clicks and use whatever logic an audience might buy). Never mind the fact that "pairing" any schools is a spurious notion...the only one that has significance beyond people who are closely related to the rivalry is UNC-Duke, because it's the biggest bball rivalry out there...but is anyone really basing conference invites on a couple bball games per season?
** Edited by Pylons at 5/12/2025, 9:57:30 AM
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
Actual journalists, in addition to posters and bloggers, have reported that UNC and UVa or UNC and NC State are potential targets.
Many of us believe VT offers greater financial value than UVa. So, why hasn’t anyone mentioned VT? This is the question.
My answer is the lack of a relationship. What’s your answer? Just ignore all the reports and posts?
(In response to this post by Pylons)
1y
Or take them with a grain of salt at most.
What "actual journalists" (if anyone really counts as such anymore) actually have credible insight or inside info about potential realignment? I agree that VT offers more value than UVa. You choose to believe UVa gets mentioned more often because of a relationship with UNC that no one not connected to one of those schools cares about. I choose to believe it's because the mentioners are largely clueless and willing to throw anything against the wall that readers will click and link.
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
but you’re entitled to your own opinions.
(In response to this post by Pylons)
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2hhoop3
1y
in establishing anything with VT and had the heels gotten their way VT would not have been originally admitted to the ACC in 2003. This is something the Hoos have always had right. CAROLINA SUCKS!
(In response to this post by RandomAsianGuy)
1y
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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Stech
1y
they want Virginia Tech out of the way as competition (they know when we finally get the right coach, we will beat them like we have in the past). In basketball, they take Va's best HS players mainly from UVA. They starting with John Skipper would hate it if we went to the SEC with UNC. In fact, they compete more with Duke for the best VA HS basketball players, It is one reason they don't want Duke as their partner either.
** Edited by Stech at 5/11/2025, 10:24:58 PM
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)