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Thursday, May 29, 2003 |
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Posted on May 27, 2003 State lawmakers sound off on ACC expansion
The Associated Press Some state lawmakers have their eyes on the Atlantic Coast Conference expansion plans and wonder if Clemson University leaders are overlooking some negative outcomes. Sen. Warren Giese, R-Columbia, says he think the expansion will make the conference too big and add unnecessary travel time for teams and fans. "This spreads it out into a television extravaganza," said Giese, a former South Carolina football coach. "I think it flat reeks of commercialism." Earlier this month, ACC presidents voted to invite Miami, Syracuse and Boston College to join the nine-team league. There is no timetable for the three Big East Conference schools to decide. "These three institutions represent and share the values for which the ACC has long been known," James Barker, Clemson University president and chair of the Council of Presidents in the ACC, said at the time. Barker said the league worked for 18 months on planning for the future. But Rep. Lewis "Gene" Pinson, R-Greenwood, agreed with Giese. "I don't think it's going to help Clemson football," said Pinson, who went to graduate school at Clemson. "It's just a big money grab." Bringing Miami and Syracuse may add to TV revenue, but will also likely add to Clemson's losses, Pinson said. "I just don't see it as something positive," he said. "I know about the big money and big draws from these other schools. But I think Clemson and the ACC can probably draw on anybody. I just think college athletics is getting totally out of control." Giese was bothered the expansion process hasn't been more open. He says he's waiting for the league to "give us good reasons why this is in the best interests not only for the schools' bank accounts but for the people who have been their supporters." Giese thinks expansion will take away from the closeness and rivalries the ACC enjoys now. "I'm afraid the gate receipts and TV and all of those things are being considered before the interests of the students in the conference," he said. Sen. Larry Martin, R-Pickens, is a Clemson fan and has the worries several fans do about expansion. "I can't see how getting Miami will help Clemson football," he said. "If the board supports it and the athletic program thinks it's in their best interest, we'll just have to see how it plays out." State Rep. Harry Cato, R-Travelers Rest, is a 1980 Clemson graduate. He thinks big-time games with Miami and Syracuse might hurt attendance for home games with Duke and Wake Forest. House Speaker David Wilkins, R-Greenville and a 1968 Clemson graduate, said he has great confidence in Barker and athletic director Terry Don Phillips. "They're the ones who have to make those decisions, and if they think it's a good idea, that's good enough for me," Wilkins said. Information from: The Greenville News |
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