Conference Realignment: Statement Of ACC Solidarity From ACC Council Of Presidents

On Thursday, the university presidents of the ACC issued a joint statement in support of the future of the conference.

"We, the undersigned presidents of the Atlantic Coast Conference, wish to express our commitment to preserve and protect the future of our outstanding league. We want to be clear that the speculation about ACC schools in negotiations or considering alternatives to the ACC are totally false.

"The presidents of the ACC are united in our commitment to a strong and enduring conference. The ACC has long been a leader in intercollegiate athletics, both academically and athletically, and the constitution of our existing and future member schools will maintain the ACC's position as one of the nation's premier conferences."

The statement was signed by all 14 university presidents -- Leahy (Boston College), James Barker (Clemson), Richard Brodhead (Duke), Eric Barron (Florida State), G.P. "Bud" Peterson (Georgia Tech), James Ramsey (Louisville), Donna Shalala (Miami), Holden Thorp (North Carolina), Randy Woodson (N.C. State), John Jenkins (Notre Dame), Mark Nordenberg (Pittsburgh), Nancy Cantor (Syracuse), Teresa Sullivan (Virginia), Charles Steger (Virginia Tech) and Nathan Hatch (Wake Forest).

Yup, that's everyone.

It's great that the ACC's presidents exchanged promise rings and everything, but this sort of statement is more or less meaningless. If the Council of Presidents really wants to completely stabilize the conference going forward, they will focus less on issuing joint statements of solidarity and more on an ACC TV network, a better TV deal and a grant-of-rights (that Florida State and others will never sign).

Didn't the Big East issue a similar statement a few years back? Man, we're screwed. Everyone man the Big East / MAC / Patriot League life rafts!