ACC Takes to the Streets of Manhattan

by CU Athletic Communications - Mon Jul 01 10:59:51 GMT-04:00 2013

NEW YORK – The Atlantic Coast Conference will literally ring in a new era on Monday, July 1.

The date was circled on the ACC’s calendar months ago, as it prepared to officially welcome Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse and expand its league membership to 15 member institutions. That vision becomes a reality on Monday, July 1, and the ACC is eager to start spreading the news.

What better place than New York, New York?

With the Big Apple now sitting squarely in the ACC’s footprint, the conference has chosen the city as the setting for a full-scale celebration. The conference will be highly visible throughout the day on a worldwide stage, highlighted by the NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony at 4:01 p.m.

“We have long looked forward to officially recognizing these three outstanding institutions as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference,” Swofford said. “It will truly be a historic day for our league.”

In addition to the ACC Commissioner, those participating in the NASDAQ closing bell ceremony will include men’s basketball coaches Mike Brey of Notre Dame, Jim Boeheim of Syracuse and Roy Williams of North Carolina; football coaches Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech and Jimbo Fisher of Florida State and four-time NFL All-Pro wide receiver and former Pitt student-athlete Larry Fitzgerald.

Sunday marked the beginning of “ACC Mascots Take Manhattan,” and they will continue making their rounds throughout the day on Monday.

The ACC’s 15 mascots are scheduled to make stops at the Empire State Building, Grand Central Station, the Circle Line Harbor Cruise and the NASDAQ MarketSite. The schedule also includes an outreach program at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, where the mascots will make bedside visits in multiple wards. Those roaming Times Square or on a boat trip around the Statue of Liberty might find a Tiger, a Panther or a Demon Deacon nearby.

Those unable to attend in person on Monday can view the 2 p.m. press conference, hosted by ESPN’s Brad Nessler, via ESPN3 and The ACC Digital Network on theACC.com. Both outlets will also carry the Closing Bell Ceremony, beginning at 3:45 p.m. ACC fans can also keep up with all the ACC’s activities throughout the city on Twitter by following @theACC and #ACCtakesNYC.

“This is an extraordinary time for our conference on many levels,” Swofford said. “I believe all those who are able to interact with us in New York or watch the proceedings from afar will share in our excitement as we welcome Notre Dame, Pitt and Syracuse to the ACC family.”