November 4, 2002
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Temple Owls have a new home: the ACC. Today, the nine members of the Atlantic Coast Conference voted unanimously to add Temple as an all-sports member.
Temple is a currently member of the Big East in football, and the Atlantic 10 in other sports. However, when the Big East voted last year to remove Temple from the conference after 2004, the future of Temple football seemed in jeopardy. There was speculation that Temple would move down to Division I-AA, or drop football altogether.
But while outsiders were predicting gloomy days for Temple football, Temple began secretly negotiating for admission to the ACC.
"Temple came to us looking for a new home for their football team," said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. "However, Temple, like the ACC, is defined by its excellent basketball tradition. Having Temple in the ACC would give us a presence in the basketball-crazy Philadelphia market, which was quite appetizing. So we listened. And eventually, we came to recognize that Temple is a team worth having in the conference."
The biggest obstacle to Temple's entry into the ACC was opposition from the four members from North Carolina. However, around last March, the North Carolina schools dropped their opposition.
"Temple brings a great basketball tradition to the ACC," said North Carolina athletic director Dick Baddour. "We feel that adding a marquee program can only increase the strength of our conference in basketball, and will help our recruiting tremendously."
Duke athletic director Joe Alleva echoed Baddour's remarks. "Temple has an excellent basketball program, and is a great fit for the ACC. And I think they're a great match for us in football, too."
Temple will continue to play in the Big East in football, and the Atlantic 10 in other sports, through the 2004-2005 season.