Count me as one that didn’t see this coming. I usually try to stay on top of things, but I was completely blindsided by the recent news that both Pitt and Syracuse will be heading to the ACC.
All the official details won’t be released until this week, but my first gut reaction is that it’s a fantastic move for both programs and the conference as well.
Just looking at Pitt in particular, if the NCAA is headed the route of four super conferences and it looks more like they are every day, you have to hand it to Pitt for being proactive in making the first move.
Looking at it on the field, Pitt will be competitive on the football field within a couple of years and will certainly be competitive in basketball as a member of the ACC.
It will also help a ton in recruiting for both sports. The Panthers will get enough talented recruits that just wouldn’t have wanted to play Big East football.
As far as basketball goes, expect Jamie Dixon to be able to sprinkle in a few more McDonald’s All-American’s in the mix.
Panthers fans shouldn’t have to worry about Pitt being competitive in the ACC. It may take a couple of years, but it won’t be a long transition period.
It also makes sense financially for the school, who obviously will be making more money through the athletic programs, but should also do better at the gate as well.
Pitt has never had a problem selling out the Petersen Events Center, but the attendance at Heinz Field for the football program hasn’t quite been what athletic director Steve Pederson would have hoped for. Then again, not many people want to come see the likes of Rutgers, Louisville and Connecticut in Big East action.
Having the opportunity to see Miami, Florida State and Virginia Tech will increase the dollars at the gate.
As far as geographically, it make more sense now than it did a few years ago. Syracuse and Boston College are both in the ACC and Pitt currently travels to Florida as a member of the Big East, so that shouldn’t matter as a member of the ACC.
The one drawback to me is the rivalries. What happens to the Backyard Brawl? Also, what about the Pitt—UConn basketball rivalry that took so many years to build and has produced countless classic moments?
Eventually though, new rivalries will be built, but it would be a shame to see old ones go. Being that Syracuse is making the move with them, there may be a chance there.
In general, this is the perfect move for Pitt, but what happens to the Big East in the future?
If the Big East dies, Pitt would be one of the schools that really stuck the nail in the coffin.
All these years after Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech were labeled traitors for ditching the Big East for the ACC, Pitt and Syracuse are taking the same route.
They won’t have to worry about being labeled traitors though. It’s a different time and a different age for NCAA athletics. They would have been labeled foolish for not making the move and chasing the money.
Compared to the rest of the nation, Big East football is considered a joke. The conference is a sinking ship and all Pitt and Syracuse did was reach for the nearest life-preserver.
The state of the NCAA right now is a cruel and sick one. A decade ago, both programs may have been crucified more making the sudden move. Now, we applaud them.
That’s not supposed to be what college sports are about, but I guess we live in a different time these days.
Saying that, there was only one move Pitt could have made and they made the right one.
