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• Ask Director of Athletics Ron Wellman Index
Dear Ron:
Now that the ACC has settled on a football schedule for the next two years, are you pleased with how it turned out? Do you think Coach Grobe is happy with it?
 Wake Forest University Director of Athletics Ron Wellman |
Dear Mitch:
I am pleased that the ACC is stronger in football with the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech. It is important for us to be viewed as one of the best, if not the best, football conferences nationally and we definitely achieved that goal with conference expansion.
Since one of the goals of conference expansion was to improve ACC football, we recognized that there was a very definite possibility that our schedule would be more difficult. That obviously is the case with the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech on our schedule. When I called Jim and told him about the 2004 & 2005 schedules, he did not exactly jump for joy...but then who would? As I recall, he asked if we might be able to schedule the Green Bay Packers for one of our nonconference games.
That being said, though, Jim is also excited about the challenge. He recognizes that our program will improve by playing the very best. The ACC has improved significantly since Florida State joined the conference because all of our schools have made strong commitments to excellence in football as we strive to join their elite status. By adding our two new members, it only emphasizes the importance and determination that we all must have to compete (and beat!) with the top programs in the ACC and nationally.
Next year we will play a home schedule that includes Florida State, Duke, North Carolina and Virginia Tech in the conference and Boston College and Air Force in conconference games. What a great schedule for
Wake Forest fans to not only enjoy but also to accept the challenge of cheering our team on to victories over those teams. The environment at Groves Stadium has improved drastically this year. Our team needs that type of support the remainder of this year and will need it every year in the future with the schedule we will play annually.
Go Deacs!