ND fans react to ACC announcement - Fox 28: South Bend, Elkhart IN News, Weather, Sports

Many fans had no idea that Notre Dame was switching to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

"I thought we were staying with the Big East, but my mouth dropped as soon as I found out," says fan Jeff Dial.

"When I first found out, I was excited because my brother goes to Duke so I'm excited about the upcoming family rivalries," says fan Maria Ricaurte.

The news may have been a surprise, but fans I spoke with are excited to be a part of the ACC.

"The ACC is just a stronger conference, in most sports," Dustin Crummett.

"I think this conference, especially in basketball, is going to be just dynamite," says legendary ND basketball coach Digger Phelps.

Phelps says the ACC's powerhouse basketball teams like Duke and North Carolina will certainly make things interesting. "Every time you go out you're playing the Super Bowl game."

And that's just the competition Phelps wants to see. "Notre Dame is Notre Dame. We can compete against anybody and we do that. I think the challenge makes it just that much better."

He's not the only one ready for some tough opponents.

"I'm looking for better opponents. It makes me want to watch more, tailgate more, and see if I can get tickets," says Dial.

"There's going to be a lot of good players and competition. I can't wait to see it," says fan Dominque Sanders.

"When there are big name schools coming in, people are going to get excited," says Crummett.

There's a lot of changes ahead for Notre Dame fans, but what about tradition?

"I think traditions are up to us as a school to keep up," says Ricarute.

"They're still going to be playing MI, and USC and all the traditional rivals. So it's not like they're giving up the things that people already enjoy," says Crummett.

Notre Dame fans believe in their team, no matter WHO or WHERE the Irish play.