Let's get this party started.

Per Miami.com...

Quote:University of Miami president Donna Shalala, key athletic department officials and the Board of Trustees' 19-member executive committee will meet today to discuss whether the Hurricanes should accept an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Three UM trustees said they would be surprised if the school doesn't accept the ACC's offer, barring an unexpected development at the 3 p.m. meeting on campus. Another high-level athletic department official said UM's move to the ACC is likely.

On Wednesday, the ACC announced its formal invitations to UM and Virginia Tech.

Asked by North Carolina-based reporters if he expects any ''bad news'' from Miami, ACC commissioner John Swofford said, ``I don't anticipate any, but that's in their hands and their decision to make at this point. So hopefully it will be a positive decision when it comes back.''

In a released statement, Shalala was non-committal: ``We are very appreciative of the invitation from the ACC to join their conference. We are disappointed they have decided not to extend invitations to Boston College and Syracuse. Since this is a new proposal, we will evaluate it before making a decision.''

Shalala is expected to review financial projections today for the 11-team league.

But UM athletic director Paul Dee said an 11-team arrangement is something ''we're not that concerned about'' because there could be future adjustments. Dee said ``there's a possibility the [ACC] could continue to expand.''

Asked about an 11-team conference, Swofford said, ``Can it work? Yes. Is it the best financial scenario? No.''

Barring a rule change, the ACC would need a 12th team to hold a lucrative college football championship game.

The ACC is interested in Notre Dame, but the Fighting Irish have been resistant to joining a football league.

Said Swofford: ``I don't think there's anything necessarily immediate in terms of getting to the 12th.''

Although UM prefers to enter the ACC in 2004-05, expansion might not happen until 2005-06 because of issues involving scheduling and television contracts.

Virginia Tech likely will join in 2005-06, according to John Rocovich, rector for Virginia Tech's Board of Visitors.

<a href='http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/6171818.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sport...rts/6171818.htm</a>

Geesh! A Miami forum already! Miami still has to play the 2003-04 year in the Big East. It could get confusing going from the Big East forums to the ACC forums for my Hurricane news!

Once the ACC invited the Hokies, this became a done deal.

We weren't happy in the Big East as it was. There's no way that we'd return to a Big East if the Hokies leave.

XX2 Wrote:Once the ACC invited the Hokies, this became a done deal.

We weren't happy in the Big East as it was. There's no way that we'd return to a Big East if the Hokies leave.

Oh I do consider it a done deal, but like I said Miami and VT are still competing in the Big East this season.