Sports like Stanford’s beach volleyball program will not see any specific changes to their schedules due to the ACC move.Getty Images
Stanford University is “financially supporting” the school’s athletic department’s transition to the ACC, including a “threat to cut the program even in the face of new financial challenges” from AD Bernard Muir. It is said to include a promise to maintain the number of events in the club at 36 without any additional costs. Marisa Ingemi, SF CHRONICLE: The challenge stems from a “significant decline in media revenue (30% share in the first seven years) and multi-million dollar increase in travel expenses.” Stanford University had previously planned to eliminate some programs in July 2020, citing “harsh new financial realities” caused by COVID-19, but now with fundraising efforts and an improved financial outlook The decision was “withdrawn” in May of the following year. Professor Muir said the university is “prioritizing remaining in the Power 5 conference in this summer’s negotiations” and is “willing to take a financial hit to achieve that,” adding that the university is using its resources to make up for the losses. He said he was there. Muir: “We are a 36-sport program and we will continue to be a 36-sport program. There are still challenges, but fortunately the university is supportive of this enterprise and committed to ensuring athletics continues to thrive. Muir estimated that “only 14 programs would be logistically impacted” by the transition to ACC. The most affected sports will be soccer, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s volleyball, women’s lacrosse, men’s wrestling, and women’s gymnastics. Teams remaining in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation — those that already play cross country, including the men’s volleyball, water polo teams and field hockey — “have not seen any measurable changes in their daily lives.”SF Chronicle, 12/21).