Louisville Welcomes Cal, Stanford, SMU to ACC in 2024-25
September 01, 2023 | General
The ACC Board of Directors voted Friday to formally admit the University of California, Berkeley (Cal), Southern Methodist University (SMU) and Stanford University to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Cal, SMU and Stanford will join the ACC as full members with full voting participation effective July 1, 2024 (SMU) and August 2, 2024 (Stanford and Cal). The decision followed the submission of letters of application from all three institutions.
See below for statements from University of Louisville Director of Athletics Josh Heird and President Dr. Kim Schatzel regarding the announcement.
STATEMENT FROM UOFL DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JOSH HEIRD:
"Earlier today, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced the formal additions of Southern Methodist University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley, beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.
The addition of these three world-class academic and athletic institutions is a transformative moment for the ACC and for the University of Louisville. Already one of the strongest athletic conferences in the country, the ACC will now truly be a nationwide power spanning from coast to coast.
This expansion will provide increased revenue to the ACC and to the University of Louisville, broaden the Cardinals brand nationally, provide greater stability for the conference and align UofL with even more of higher education's greatest institutions. While there are still questions to be resolved in the months ahead regarding scheduling, travel and logistics, as a conference, we have worked hard to develop a plan that limits the impact on our student-athletes.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for Commissioner Phillips' leadership as well as the partnership and dedicated work of President Schatzel, whose strong voice among her peers helped make today's announcement a reality.
Thank you to all of Card Nation for your continued passion and support. Go Cards!"
STATEMENT FROM UOFL PRESIDENT DR. KIM SCHATZEL:
"I am delighted to welcome Southern Methodist University, Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley to the ACC. These outstanding universities bring not only athletic excellence but also reputations as being among America's finest academic institutions. Our Cardinal teams will enjoy competing against some of the nation's best athletes, and our university will gain from the many partnerships and academic opportunities these schools will bring to the conference."
See below for statements from University of Louisville Director of Athletics Josh Heird and President Dr. Kim Schatzel regarding the announcement.
STATEMENT FROM UOFL DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JOSH HEIRD:
"Earlier today, the Atlantic Coast Conference announced the formal additions of Southern Methodist University, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley, beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.
The addition of these three world-class academic and athletic institutions is a transformative moment for the ACC and for the University of Louisville. Already one of the strongest athletic conferences in the country, the ACC will now truly be a nationwide power spanning from coast to coast.
This expansion will provide increased revenue to the ACC and to the University of Louisville, broaden the Cardinals brand nationally, provide greater stability for the conference and align UofL with even more of higher education's greatest institutions. While there are still questions to be resolved in the months ahead regarding scheduling, travel and logistics, as a conference, we have worked hard to develop a plan that limits the impact on our student-athletes.
I want to express my sincere appreciation for Commissioner Phillips' leadership as well as the partnership and dedicated work of President Schatzel, whose strong voice among her peers helped make today's announcement a reality.
Thank you to all of Card Nation for your continued passion and support. Go Cards!"
STATEMENT FROM UOFL PRESIDENT DR. KIM SCHATZEL:
"I am delighted to welcome Southern Methodist University, Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley to the ACC. These outstanding universities bring not only athletic excellence but also reputations as being among America's finest academic institutions. Our Cardinal teams will enjoy competing against some of the nation's best athletes, and our university will gain from the many partnerships and academic opportunities these schools will bring to the conference."
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