The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.
Issue link: https://louisville.epubxp.com/i/339710
S U M M E R U O F L M A G A Z I N E | 2 9 "It was immediate," said Ramsey. "The provost is already discussing issues with fellow provosts. Our research folks are already meeting with the research directors at different schools. Our finance officers have already met. Our students have participated in student leadership conferences. We are at the table now." Jurich noted that of UofL's peer ACC institutions, 11 of the top 50 schools ranked by U.S. News & World Report are ACC members. "It puts pressure on you but gives you the opportunity to forge new academic relationships with each of the schools. The different coalitions and friendships that are built are going to be phenomenal for this school. To say you're going to graduate with a degree from an ACC school is pretty impressive to a student athlete — or a student anywhere." Ramsey couldn't agree more. "The ACC is comprised of some of the most premier academic institutions, public and private," he said. "It's more than success on the field. You're going to be concerned about integrity, commitment to gender equity, academic success, financial success and viability. It's more than an athletic conference; it's an affiliation of higher education institutions." "These are the schools we try to emulate," Ramsey explained. "Athletically, we won't be discounted anymore. Our student athletes will be competing in a premier league. Academically, it will be harder to see, but we've come a long way at UofL in terms of the quality of students we attract. The key to a great university is great students, and with the ACC we will continue to recruit the best students, who will then have access to more partnerships with the top institutions." WELCOME TO LOUISVILLE The entire city benefits from the university's membership in the ACC. "The University of Louisville has elevated the entire sports program to new and impressive heights that are being acknowledged and envied across the nation," said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer. Membership in the ACC will easily impact the bottom lines of the university and the city of Louisville. "There's no question that ACC membership brings real excitement with teams such as Duke and North Carolina visiting the KFC Yum! Center, and hosting schools such as Miami and Florida State at Papa John's," said Fischer. The dollars won't hurt, either. The ACC's recent $3.8 billion TV contract with ESPN allowed the conference to make an annual distribution of more than $20 million to each school. Long-term benefits grow, particularly if the ACC starts its own television network within the next four years as rumored. "It will bring enormous exposure for football, basketball and the Olympic sports," journalist Michael Smith, with the SportsBusiness Journal. "It's the best of both worlds for Cardinal fans, with renewed rivalries with long-time foes from the BIG EAST, such as Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, and new and exciting games with other ACC opponents." "We're such an integral part of the city," said Ramsey. "The city thrives on us, and we thrive on the city. It is a great recruiting vehicle. The very top students know they'll get a great college experience here and learn from the best faculty. They also know there are life lessons to be learned in Louisville, which has a diverse population, job and internship possibilities, outstanding arts and lifestyle options, and all things that enhance the college experience. As fans come to Louisville from these other areas, they are really going to discover what a great place this is. We will be a key destination point." "The things that make a great conference — athletics, academics, spirit — we have them," said Jurich. "Look at our students and graduates. Look at the places they will be able to visit. You're bringing some of the most heralded schools in the country to Louisville, and they are equally excited to come here." It was a long road to the ACC, but Jurich and Ramsey are thrilled to see it come to fruition. From the time Ramsey and Jurich each arrived at UofL, in 2002 and 1997 respectively, they aspired to acceptance in a conference like the ACC. It took years to get there, but they laid the groundwork early. "We made such a huge commitment to Title IX because it was the right thing to do 17 years ago," said Jurich. "Those sports and graduates have become very strong proponents of our university. We've made a lot of jumps, but we are where we need to be. We didn't get this handed to us. We went from Conference USA to the BIG EAST to the AAC, and now we're in the ACC. One jump is a lot for any institution and we've done three in 17 years. It's been a climb, but a great success." "We always do the best we can to move this university forward," added Ramsey. "We had conversations with others, but there is no question this is the conference we need to be in." Meticulous planning and strategy will now pay handsome dividends for UofL. "Long ago, Tom and I knew that we had to position ourselves for conference realignments. If those things occurred, we needed to be in the best position available," reflected Ramsey. "At first, when we entered the BIG EAST, it was almost too good to be true. Now, with the ACC, we need to stop and catch our breath and realize we have this opportunity." Jurich is excited for students and fans. "I want what's best for these students and this community," he said. "I can't wait for our student body to come out and have a great experience. They'll make great memories — whether they are playing in that game or are in Row 18 of the student section. If we can accomplish that, we've done our job." "If we could have written a script, we couldn't have written it any better than to be in the ACC," concluded Ramsey. "It's going to be a dynamite atmosphere this fall. We have an outstanding freshman class and we're in the ACC. It's all good." Jurich is ecstatic with thoughts of the future. "It's a school I love. It's a city I love. It's astounding. To see what it's going to mean to this university is going to be the greatest reward for me." LET THE GAMES BEGIN! T H E D A W N O F A N E W E R A "It's the best of both worlds for Cardinal fans, with renewed rivalries with long-time foes…and new and exciting games with other ACC opponents." —Michael Smith, SportsBusiness Journal U L _ 2 9 2 9 UL_29 29 6 / 2 3 / 1 4 9 : 4 4 A M 6/23/14 9:44 AM