With the current Big East situation continuing to evolve (read more about that here), Notre Dame is getting out as soon as possible. The ACC announced today that Notre Dame, who had already agreed to join the conference at some future date, would become a member in all sports except football on July 1, 2013. That is the same date as the Big East begins operation as two conferences. Notre Dame football will continue to remain independent.
This means that the Big East Men’s Champions, and women’s runners-up, will be joining an ACC Conference as soon as next season. That will add one more wrinkle of parity to a conference that, while seeing six-straight titles from both the Virginia men and women, is also seeing an increased level of competition at the top of events from the rest of the conference’s programs.
“As was previously announced, our annual five games against Notre Dame in football will begin with the 2014 season,” ACC Commissioner John Swofford said. This not only will enhance our league’s already ambitious football schedules but also will provide terrific fan excitement.”
Pitt and Syracuse are both joining the conference in 2013 as well (Syracuse no longer supports swimming), with Louisville still intended to come in 2014.
“Our conference, schools and fans are delighted that Notre Dame will join the ACC on July 1, 2013,” Swofford continued. The addition of Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse, followed by Louisville in 2014, positions us extremely well with an outstanding collection of 15 member institutions.”
Aside from further muddling the swimming, specifically by bringing over some breaststrokers where the conference, especially on the women’s side, isn’t great, Notre Dame will also add a lot of depth to an already impressive ACC diving lineup.
Next year’s confirmed ACC lineups:
Men
Virginia
Virginia Tech
UNC
Florida State
NC State
Georgia Tech
Duke
Boston College
Miami (Diving)
Notre Dame
Pitt
Women
Virginia
Virginia Tech
UNC
Florida State
NC State
Miami
Duke
Georgia Tech
Boston College
Clemson (Diving)
Notre Dame
Pitt