University of Virginia Library

VPI May Try Again
To Join Conference

Last week VPI let it be known
that they may once again seek a
berth in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

This development comes at a
very opportune time in light of the
recent proposal of Duke's ad hoe
committee on athletics that the
Blue Devils drop out of the ACC. If
this proposal at Duke becomes
reality it may well enhance VPI's
chances of being voted into the
ACC at this spring's conference
meeting. The conference would
then still have eight members.

Tech has already made one
unsuccessful bid for ACC membership
in 1966. Opposition to the bid
appeared too great at that time, and
Tech withdrew its request rather
than have it defeated.

For the bid to be accepted, VPI
must have the support of six ACC
teams. In 1966 it appeared that
Tech only had the blessings of five
schools Virginia, South Carolina,
Clemson, Wake Forest, and N.C.
State.

VPI's intentions for ACC membership
are in line with the athletic
program there. Conference members
regularly play Tech in both
football and basketball; the ACC
appoints football and basketball
officials for the Gobblers' games;
Tech follows minimum entrance
requirements for athletes, and they
limit their football grants to the
maximum allowed by the ACC,
120.

There seems to be wide support
from ACC athletic directors on
VPI's reported intentions. Virginia's
Athletic Director, Steve Sebo, is
among those in favor of Tech's
membership.