Maryland: From the ACC to the Big Ten

After the announcement by University of Maryland president of the university’s move from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) to the Big Ten, he was met by a string of protests and dismay from the alumni and board of regents. But despite the call from the ACC commissioner and threats of donations getting pulled, the system’s chancellor William Kirwan decided to push ahead with his decision.

Who could blame the man for thinking about strategic benefits of joining the prestigious Big Ten? The conference is known for its academic and athletic programs that can help boost economically Maryland’s financial problems in its sports department.

But the results of this daring decision may not be as fruitful as they may think. Imagine watching a basketball game against Purdue or Northwestern. Will Maryland fans find that exciting enough? Will Big Ten fans watch a Maryland road game in Iowa or Minnesota?

The financial gain out of this move should be well worth it after sacrificing and destroying traditions and history of rivalries. Furthermore, what pride will Maryland athletes have when everybody knows that the move was made out of money concerns? How will the administration preserve the passion around Maryland’s athletic program when it has been opposed strongly by loyal fans?

Jerry, a staff of Lake Pointe Inn and a Maryland alumni, was not happy at all about the move. “I’m not even sure if I want to go and disrupt what the Big Ten conference has already built for itself. Our players would feel like an outcast playing against the Big Ten powers, and their players would treat us like an annoying hiccup among their string of traditional competitors.”

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