The SMU athletic department is getting a massive boost as the Mustangs prepare to enter the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024.
According to a news release on the department website, the university has raised $100 million in seven days from a group of 30 donors and trustees to support the move to its new conference.
“This is an unprecedented financial commitment from a core group of donors who have understood from the beginning that moving to the ACC [Atlantic Coast Conference] will be transformational for our University on both athletic and academic levels,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said in the release.
“While there is still much work to be done, the ability to rally this kind of support in just one short week demonstrates that SMU and Dallas recognize the excellence of this opportunity and are stepping up to support it.”
When SMU announced it would be joining the ACC on September 1, it also announced the university would not receive any broadcast revenue from the conference for its first nine years as a member — leaving many to wonder how SMU could make up for the deficit. With so many flocking to support the long-awaited return to a power conference, SMU appears to have the answer.
“When we announced on September 1 that SMU would be joining the ACC, I was highly confident that we would be able to cover the cost of the transition into what is one of the top three collegiate athletic conferences in the country,” David B. Miller, chair of the SMU Board of Trustees explained in the news release. “… I cannot express how grateful I am for the visionary leadership it demonstrates.”
The Mustangs are completing their final year in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), and the football team takes on TCU in the Battle for the Iron Skillet at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. The schools announced they will “pause” their rivalry game after the 2025 season.
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EXTRA POINTS
— Texas is the only football team in the state ranked in the AP top 25 this week. The Longhorns are ranked third after a comeback win against Wyoming.
— Kickoff times for college football games on September 30 have been announced.
— Alabama has named Jalen Milroe its starting quarterback for Saturday’s game against Ole Miss. Milroe was bench ahead of the Crimson Tide’s struggle against South Florida over the weekend.
— Michigan State athletic director Alan Haller has notified head football coach Mel Tucker that he intends to fire the coach for cause amid an investigation into a sexual harassment claim.
— Former Texas quarterback and current Florida Atlantic quarterback Casey Thompson is out for the season with a torn ACL.
