Notre Dame is moving to the ACC sooner than many expected. The university announced Tuesday morning that the departure of the seven current non-football colleges, it was mutually agreed that Notre Dame should leave as well.
The Fighting Irish will start competing in the ACC for the 2013-14 season in all sports except football and hockey. The official departure goes into effect July 1.
"From the time of our decision to
join the ACC we have stressed our commitment to ensuring that our departure was
achieved in a collegial manner," Notre Dame vice president and director of athletics Jack Swarbrick
said in a written statement. "This
agreement realizes that intention and we are very grateful to the members of
the Big East and Commissioner Mike Aresco for helping to facilitate this
orderly and timely transition."
The Irish football team will remain independent, but will play five games per season against ACC teams starting in 2014. The hockey team joins Hocket East starting next season. The are currently a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
