Atlantic Coast Conference

ACC Academic Consortium logo

Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is a collegiate athletic conference in the United States. Composed of predominantly universities located on the Atlantic coast, the ACC is one of the major conferences in NCAA Division I athletics. The conference competes in the NCAA's Division I, with its football teams competing in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of NCAA football competition.

History

The Atlantic Coast Conference was established on May 8, 1953, with the original members being Clemson University, Duke University, University of Maryland, University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, University of South Carolina, and Wake Forest University. The conference was formed as a result of a split from the Southern Conference due to disagreements over the number of scholarships to be awarded in football and basketball.

Over the years, the ACC has undergone several expansions to include more universities. Notable expansions occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s, bringing in schools such as Florida State University in 1991, University of Miami and Virginia Tech in 2004, and Boston College in 2005. The most recent expansion, in 2013, saw the addition of University of Notre Dame (in all sports except football, where Notre Dame remains independent but plays a number of games against ACC teams), University of Pittsburgh, and Syracuse University.

Sports

The ACC sponsors competition in twenty-five sports, with each member university fielding teams in various sports, including football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and track and field. The conference is known for its competitive excellence, particularly in basketball, where ACC teams have won numerous NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championships.

Championships

The ACC holds championships in several sports throughout the academic year. The ACC Football Championship Game determines the conference champion in football. Similarly, the ACC Men's Basketball Tournament is a highly anticipated event, often determining which teams will represent the conference in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Academic Consortium

In addition to athletic competition, the ACC also emphasizes academic excellence through the ACC Academic Consortium (ACCAC). This consortium fosters academic collaborations and initiatives among member institutions, including study abroad programs, research projects, and academic conferences.

Membership

The ACC's membership includes 15 full members and 2 associate members (in sports not sponsored by their primary conferences). The full members are:

• Boston College
• Clemson University
• Duke University
• Florida State University
• Georgia Tech
• University of Louisville
• University of Miami
• North Carolina
• NC State
• University of Notre Dame (all sports except football and men's ice hockey)
• Pittsburgh
• Syracuse University
• Virginia
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University

Associate members are:

• University of Notre Dame (football)
• Other institutions in specific sports not covered by their primary conferences

Future and Expansion

The ACC continues to explore opportunities for expansion and enhancement of its athletic and academic programs. The conference's strategic vision includes maintaining competitive excellence, fostering academic achievement, and enhancing the student-athlete experience.

See Also

• NCAA Division I
• NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
• Football Bowl Subdivision