Editor's Note: John Galinsky, staff writer for The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA) and freelance writer for TheSabre.com, recently conducted an email interview with Virginia Athletic Director Craig Littlepage on the topic of ACC expansion, with some specific questions asked about Virginia Tech.

Galinsky: Do you think ACC expansion is inevitable? If so, why? And on what timetable? If not, do you think the conference can thrive in the long term with nine schools?

Littlepage: I don't think ACC expansion is "inevitable"; however, there is so much being speculated about the future make-up of conferences. It is inevitable that schools and conferences will have discussions. I believe with conferences having their annual or spring meetings in the coming weeks, expansion will be debated and the opinions on the topic will be firmed up. I think the ACC would continue to be successful with nine members, so the discussion should be framed about how expansion might make the ACC better.

Galinsky: Whether it was a calculated move, a fit of pique or some other reason, Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese brought the expansion issue into the spotlight with his comments in the New York Daily News. Is it fair to say expansion already was a major behind-the-scenes issue among the athletic directors in the ACC? Or have his comments generated more discussion among ADs inside and outside the conference?

Littlepage: Expansion was being discussed within the ACC about six years ago and has continued to be a topic that conference ADs discussed among themselves. I don't think the comments from the Big East office have generated any more discussions among ADs within the ACC; expansion was a topic that remained in the minds of ACC Athletics Directors since it was on the table back in the late 1990's. Outside of the ACC, there seems to be a perception that the landscape in college athletics will change. That landscape changing revolves around a number of topics (academic reform, student-athlete welfare, financial issues [revenue generation; commercialism]; and conference affiliations).

Galinsky: How do you feel about the substance of Tranghese�s complaints that the ACC is covertly wooing some Big East schools?

(Littlepage said he would prefer not to comment on the record about this subject.)

Galinsky: What are the best reasons for the ACC to expand?

Littlepage: A football playoff, strengthening BCS qualification opportunities, and gaining a stronger foothold on the entire east coast in terms of the student body and alumni base.

Galinsky: What are the hindrances to possible expansion?

Littlepage: I am concerned about traditional rivalries being jeopardized in basketball. The double round-robin in basketball is something that is special for the ACC. Also, missed class time if the footprint of the ACC is expanded which then impacts academic performance at a time that progress toward a degree/eligibility requirements are strengthened.

Galinsky: The Syracuse and Boston College athletic directors have said publicly that if Miami jumped to the ACC, they would have to look closely at following. Miami�s AD said there have been informal conversations about the subject and "The ACC would be a place where the University of Miami would feel comfortable." Does everything hinge on Miami, and how attractive is Miami as a candidate?

Littlepage: I have no comment on possible candidates.

Galinsky: Syracuse and Boston College are much farther north than any of the current ACC schools. Would travel costs be a big drawback to adding those schools, or would other factors (such as adding TV markets and two strong basketball programs) override those concerns?

Littlepage: The TV markets would not override the concern about increasing expenses. More importantly, the potential adverse impact on the student-athlete with increased travel requirements must be strongly considered over TV markets.

Galinsky: It would be naive to say that money isn�t a huge factor in expansion discussions. But what else should the ACC members consider when looking at other schools? How important are such things as academic reputations and what type of schools (public/private) they are?

Littlepage: 'Fit' has to be a primary consideration. That is 'fit' as far as academic quality, academic reputation, graduation rates/other measurements of academic performance of student-athletes, facilities, and student body demographics are important. Public/private should not be a determining factor since we have both publics and privates currently. I also think a commitment to sponsor a broad-based or comprehensive intercollegiate program is essential.

Galinsky: Is Virginia Tech a viable or attractive candidate for ACC expansion?

Littlepage: Virginia Tech would be attractive given their institutional reputation and quality, athletics' success, facilities, and geographic considerations. Whether they would be a candidate or not is something they would have to speak to.

Galinsky: There are those who say the University of Virginia would never want Virginia Tech in its conference, and those who think UVa officials would like to be in the same conference as the Hokies. Who�s right?

TechSideline Pass Home