|
ACC foray for 'crown jewel' advances
From staff and Associated Press reports
[ Originally posted 05.28.03. ]
DAVIE, Fla. The Atlantic Coast Conference's expeditionary
campaign to seize a cache of Big East treasures is about to move from the
arena of backroom plotting and clandestine teleconferences to overt contact.
In a possible foreshadowing of the outcome, the biggest
target of the raid is showing few visible signs it plans to put up stiff
resistance as it prepares for the invader's arrival.
The University of Miami, the Big East's crown jewel in
football, is moving closer to a decision on casting its lot with the ACC.
The school's executive committee of the board of trustees will meet today to
discuss the options.
On the heels of that meeting, the university will host the
first of three ACC site visits Friday, the next step in a likely relocation
that could drastically change the landscape of college athletics.
Miami's executive committee will eventually vote on whether
to join the ACC, but university officials don't expect such a vote before
the site visit.
Hurricanes football coach Larry Coker isn't expecting a long
wait before an outcome is known. He noted Tuesday that he expects a decision
"sooner rather than later."
"I don't know the timeline, but I think it will be
relatively soon if it does come down," Coker said.
Teams of ACC officials including an athletic director,
faculty representative and conference office official will arrive in Miami
on Thursday and tour the school's facilities Friday, according to a
university source.
Representatives from the conference are also expected to pay
visits to Boston College and Syracuse collateral targets likely to be
affected by the ACC's incursion early next week.
ACC presidents voted May 16 to discuss expansion with the
three schools, making plans to grow from nine to 12 members. No formal
invitations have been offered, and the site visits are required by ACC
bylaws.
Converse arrangements for
Hurricanes, Seminoles?
Miami is reviewing the financial implications of the move
and negotiating details that include divisional alignment and implementation
date.
Coker said he would rather be in the division opposite
Florida State contradicting reports that Miami wants to be in the same
division as the Seminoles.
"Ideally, you'd love to be opposite Florida State," Coker
said. "They've been down a little bit the last couple years from their
standards, but that's not going to last for long. They're going to be a very
good team."
If the Hurricanes and Seminoles are in opposite divisions,
they could continue their annual rivalry, but the loser would still be able
to win its division, advance to the conference championship game and have a
shot at earning an automatic berth in the Bowl Championship Series.
If Miami and Florida State are in the same division, the
loser of the annual rivalry game would need the winner to drop two league
games to have a shot at the conference title.
The downside to being in the opposite division is that the
teams might have to play twice.
"I don't know of anybody if you take a vote that would want
to play Florida State twice," Coker said. "But for us to be in the same side
of the bracket, I don't particularly like that."
Copyright 2003
Bonesville.net. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed
to this report. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
02/23/2007 10:36:31 AM
|
