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Kentucky Considered Leaving SEC for ACC in 1990's
Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:49 pm
Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:49 pm
quote:
@MarkEnnis: Fascinating. Kentucky had discussions with the ACC about joining the league in the early 1990s. LINK
quote:
In the 1990s, during C.M. Newton's tenure as Kentucky athletics director and Charles Wethington's time as UK president, Kentucky had exploratory talks about leaving the SEC for the ACC.
"We talked to them very seriously, but very quietly," Newton said last week. "Dr. Wethington had me go over and talk to them for a short period one evening."
Among the officials he met with, Newton said, were then-ACC Commissioner Gene Corrigan and then-Duke Athletics Director Tom Butters.
"They wanted us to come on and join their league," Newton said. "I thought, with the way (UK) football was (struggling in the SEC), that might have been the best path for us. I always felt like (Florida State) was an SEC school in the ACC and Kentucky an ACC school in the SEC."
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 2:06 pm
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Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:50 pm to undecided
Understandable for that time period
Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:50 pm to undecided
They would fit right in.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:52 pm to RebelNutt18
If they leave the basketball program in the SEC, they can take the rest of the athletic department to wherever.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:11 pm to undecided
quote:
"They wanted us to come on and join their league," Newton said. "I thought, with the way (UK) football was (struggling in the SEC), that might have been the best path for us. I always felt like (Florida State) was an SEC school in the ACC and Kentucky an ACC school in the SEC."
This is spot on. Why is Slive not pushing for this? I'm sure the ACC would love another basketball power.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:13 pm to Dellort
quote:if you are referring to FSU to the SEC as well, we tried, multiple times. But FSU straight up said they preferred the easier path in the ACC
This is spot on. Why is Slive not pushing for this? I'm sure the ACC would love another basketball power.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:16 pm to NYCAuburn
quote:
if you are referring to FSU to the SEC as well, we tried, multiple times. But FSU straight up said they preferred the easier path in the ACC
No. frick those crab leg stealing pussies. I would much rather have Kentucky's big brother.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:20 pm to Dellort
The thought of being in a conference with the North Carolina schools makes me sick. 
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:22 pm to RebelNutt18
I really don't think they would fit. UK is an SEC fanbase with a basketball program. They don't get off on the self-indulgent moral superiority bull that's so prevalent in the ACC.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:26 pm to NYCAuburn
quote:
if you are referring to FSU to the SEC as well, we tried, multiple times. But FSU straight up said they preferred the easier path in the ACC
This may be part of it but Florida would never allow it.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:27 pm to DynastyDawg
quote:
This may be part of it
its all of it. The SEC wanted FSU bad, they declined
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:39 pm to undecided
UK got lucky they didn't leave. IMHO
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:42 pm to LegendOfCobb
quote:
I really don't think they would fit. UK is an SEC fanbase with a basketball program. They don't get off on the self-indulgent moral superiority bull that's so prevalent in the ACC.
Alabama football fans are the spirit animal of Kentucky basketball fans
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:46 pm to Dellort
quote:
frick those crab leg stealing pussies
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:46 pm to undecided
quote:
Alabama football fans are the spirit animal of Kentucky basketball fans
Truer words have never been spoken.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 2:47 pm to DynastyDawg
quote:
This may be part of it but Florida would never allow it.
There's nothing we could've done about it back in the 90's. They pussied out on their own.
https://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-09-16/sports/9009160264_1_sliger-join-the-acc-florida-state
Posted on 6/20/14 at 3:08 pm to Dellort
quote:
I would much rather have Kentucky's big brother.
Know how I know you're an idiot? We have a winning record against them in almost every single sport, including football.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 3:10 pm to CatFan81
There's a reason his name is Trolled spelled backwards. 
And the talks certainly made sense for the time. I'm glad we didn't go though.
And the talks certainly made sense for the time. I'm glad we didn't go though.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 4:09 pm to undecided
I still believe UK and Mizzou are the main 2 schools we need to keep our eye on if there are any SEC schools who might leave the SEC one day. Culturally, UK is much more of a Big Ten or ACC school than an SEC school. Same for Mizzou with the Big Ten. UK fans are going to begin getting jealous seeing their inferior neighbor have football success in the weaker ACC and getting weekly basketball games against UNC, Duke, Syracuse, etc while UK is getting stomped by Big 6 schools and playing Georgia in hoops. The Big Ten or ACC is UK's only shot at having a relevant football program (if it wants one). Tradition and loyalty matters less and less these days, and I think they bolt eventually. Tradition is the only reason whatsoever for UK to remain in the SEC. And remember, the SEC has no buyout.
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 4:18 pm
Posted on 6/20/14 at 4:15 pm to Monticello
You make good points but it seems like Kentucky is content in the SEC. They can play a tough OoC schedule in basketball and essentially take the rest of the season off until March. I think they would stay for the same reason FSU remained in the ACC, they have a much easier championship path.
Also, let's be honest, the SEC would be irrelevant in basketball without UK. Should they ever think about leaving, I would expect Slive or whoevers in charge to put up a fight.
*i don't really care whether Mizzou stays or nah
Also, let's be honest, the SEC would be irrelevant in basketball without UK. Should they ever think about leaving, I would expect Slive or whoevers in charge to put up a fight.
*i don't really care whether Mizzou stays or nah
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 4:16 pm
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