Hey folks,
This typically would have been the week that the ACC held its spring meetings at Amelia Island, which we cover every year. This year, they held video meetings with the schools' A.D.s, coaches, etc., over the last several days.
We just had an hour-long interview session with John Swofford to hear about the discussions. Because I have so many notes, I'll post a few real quick and continue updating this thread.
*** Said they are operating right now as if football season will happen. Said "most" ACC schools say they're expecting to have functional universities in the fall of various plans.
*** Testing will have to be part of any plan to play. But don't have that detailed yet. What it will look like.
*** Said they talked a lot about what will happen this fall, but few answers yet. It will be discussed all summer.
*** They are preparing 4 main contingency plans:
A. All sports are played as scheduled.
B. There's an abbreviated football schedule.
C. No football, but basketball and spring sports are played.
D. All sports cancelled for the year.
He emphasized that they "don't anticipate" the D. option happening, but have to consider it.
*** Revenues to the league schools for this year will be 98 percent of what was budgeted. Not far off, because they received more money from the ACC Network than they originally planned and because they saved money by not holding spring tournaments. They're very happy to be coming close to the payouts the schools were expecting.
*** There has been no plan made to eliminate any ACC tournaments or shorten them going forward. Some leagues are doing that to minimize costs. He wouldn't rule it out. But it's not in the plans yet, because they're hopeful things will be OK in the fall and spring. Said they will have to be "nimble."
*** When it comes to testing, they'll see what the pro sports do this spring, and that will help colleges finalize plans.
*** They hope to have a plan in place where all ACC schools are following the same plans as far as testing, etc., but that will likely be determined by the conference's COVID-19 medical committee.
*** If they play a conference-only schedule, Swofford was asked whether Notre Dame will keep its scheduled 6 games against ACC schools. Said that would have to be discussed and determined. Too early to address.
*** They hope all 14 schools and Notre Dame will be able to start practicing and playing at the same time. If not, they'll have to figure out the next best option. Points out that these decisions won't be made by colleges independently. Governors, health officials will provide guidance. Said decisions might not come until into June or July.
*** When asked about Power 5 commissioners originally being "adamant" that students had to be on campus for college football to be played, Swofford says, "I don't know if I was adamant." Goes on to basically say that everything is still on the table. But adds that the idea of playing games with no students on campus "would be foreign to me." Didn't say he would fight against it, but clearly not comfortable with it.
*** When asked about student-athletes coming back to campus before the rest of the student body ... say this summer ... said that wouldn't be that unusual. But they'll only do it if they feel like they're planning to have a football season. Said it would be needed because you can't just get teams prepared "overnight." They would have to come back and start preparing. But no plans yet.
*** Asked whether the conference could play this fall if some schools aren't able to, he said that's possible. Doesn't know what the "threshold" would be ... how many teams. But he said if the majority of schools can play, they won't shut down because of a few.
*** Said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is helping the college commissioners, sharing information about their testing protocols, etc. Since the NFL has to operate on an earlier schedule, they are figuring things out first and sharing info.
*** Was asked if they know how much it's going to cost schools for testing during the week and before games. Said they don't know yet but are working on figuring it out.
*** They talked some about "Name, Image and Likeness" and the NCAA's proposed one-time transfer policy. Said he was glad that those issues have been pushed back while everyone focuses on response to the coronavirus.
*** Wrapping up, said this has been the most challenging situation for college athletics of his career. But sounded optimistic that they'll come up with good plans.
That's it for notes for now. Will have a full story with quotes coming.
This typically would have been the week that the ACC held its spring meetings at Amelia Island, which we cover every year. This year, they held video meetings with the schools' A.D.s, coaches, etc., over the last several days.
We just had an hour-long interview session with John Swofford to hear about the discussions. Because I have so many notes, I'll post a few real quick and continue updating this thread.
*** Said they are operating right now as if football season will happen. Said "most" ACC schools say they're expecting to have functional universities in the fall of various plans.
*** Testing will have to be part of any plan to play. But don't have that detailed yet. What it will look like.
*** Said they talked a lot about what will happen this fall, but few answers yet. It will be discussed all summer.
*** They are preparing 4 main contingency plans:
A. All sports are played as scheduled.
B. There's an abbreviated football schedule.
C. No football, but basketball and spring sports are played.
D. All sports cancelled for the year.
He emphasized that they "don't anticipate" the D. option happening, but have to consider it.
*** Revenues to the league schools for this year will be 98 percent of what was budgeted. Not far off, because they received more money from the ACC Network than they originally planned and because they saved money by not holding spring tournaments. They're very happy to be coming close to the payouts the schools were expecting.
*** There has been no plan made to eliminate any ACC tournaments or shorten them going forward. Some leagues are doing that to minimize costs. He wouldn't rule it out. But it's not in the plans yet, because they're hopeful things will be OK in the fall and spring. Said they will have to be "nimble."
*** When it comes to testing, they'll see what the pro sports do this spring, and that will help colleges finalize plans.
*** They hope to have a plan in place where all ACC schools are following the same plans as far as testing, etc., but that will likely be determined by the conference's COVID-19 medical committee.
*** If they play a conference-only schedule, Swofford was asked whether Notre Dame will keep its scheduled 6 games against ACC schools. Said that would have to be discussed and determined. Too early to address.
*** They hope all 14 schools and Notre Dame will be able to start practicing and playing at the same time. If not, they'll have to figure out the next best option. Points out that these decisions won't be made by colleges independently. Governors, health officials will provide guidance. Said decisions might not come until into June or July.
*** When asked about Power 5 commissioners originally being "adamant" that students had to be on campus for college football to be played, Swofford says, "I don't know if I was adamant." Goes on to basically say that everything is still on the table. But adds that the idea of playing games with no students on campus "would be foreign to me." Didn't say he would fight against it, but clearly not comfortable with it.
*** When asked about student-athletes coming back to campus before the rest of the student body ... say this summer ... said that wouldn't be that unusual. But they'll only do it if they feel like they're planning to have a football season. Said it would be needed because you can't just get teams prepared "overnight." They would have to come back and start preparing. But no plans yet.
*** Asked whether the conference could play this fall if some schools aren't able to, he said that's possible. Doesn't know what the "threshold" would be ... how many teams. But he said if the majority of schools can play, they won't shut down because of a few.
*** Said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is helping the college commissioners, sharing information about their testing protocols, etc. Since the NFL has to operate on an earlier schedule, they are figuring things out first and sharing info.
*** Was asked if they know how much it's going to cost schools for testing during the week and before games. Said they don't know yet but are working on figuring it out.
*** They talked some about "Name, Image and Likeness" and the NCAA's proposed one-time transfer policy. Said he was glad that those issues have been pushed back while everyone focuses on response to the coronavirus.
*** Wrapping up, said this has been the most challenging situation for college athletics of his career. But sounded optimistic that they'll come up with good plans.
That's it for notes for now. Will have a full story with quotes coming.
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