Statement from Syracuse University Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw on the University of Miami’s decision to join the Atlantic Coast Conference

Thursday, July 3, 2003, By News Staff

Statement from Syracuse University Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw on the University of Miami’s decision to join the Atlantic Coast ConferenceJuly 03, 2003

I’m disappointed that Miami has chosen to go to the ACC. Their departure leaves a number of unresolved issues-but this is what I do know:

In our deliberations with Miami, the presidents and athletic directors of the Big East Football Conference made a strong competitive offer to keep Miami as a member of the Conference. To their credit, Miami gave us every opportunity to do so. I cannot thank enough my Big East colleagues for the dedication they’ve shown during this time.

Those of us remaining in the Conference have developed a stronger bond-one that will serve us well in the future.

The Conference has successfully faced challenges in the past. This one will require great determination, commitment, resiliency and a great deal of creativity. These are attributes we have in abundance. We resolve to meet this challenge and expect to come out of it stronger as institutions and as a conference.

My thanks to Miami for working with us and responding to our questions and offers. But it is now time for us to move on-to move forward. And we will. The Big East is alive and well!

Transcript of the June 30 news conference with Chancellor Shaw and Athletic Director Jake Crouthamel