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ACComplish greatness

SMU became a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference on July 1, 2024, joining a dynamic community alongside some of the country’s most prestigious universities and colleges. Support from our alumni and donors fuels this exciting chapter of SMU history.

SMU football players exult after a successful play

Our goals

  • Bring value to the ACC not just as a participant but as a strong competitor.
  • Compete at the highest levels in the conference and win championships across all 17 sports.
  • Provide invaluable resources to all 484 student-athletes throughout their athletic and academic journeys.
  • Attract, recruit, retain and develop industry-leading talent across all coaching and administrative staffs.
  • Build and enhance the SMU Athletics infrastructure to welcome and serve all student-athletes, coaches, administrative staff and fans.

SMU is charging into the ACC confidently. Together, we are showcasing Mustang strength and pride to the conference and the nation.

— R. Gerald Turner, SMU President

What is the ACC?

The Atlantic Coast Conference is a national conference of some of the most accomplished college athletic programs – and the premier conference when it comes to academics. As of August 1, 2024, its members include:

Boston College

Boston College

Cal Berkeley

Cal

Clemson

Clemson

Duke

Duke

Florida State

Florida State

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech

Louisville

Louisville

Miami

Miami

North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina State

North Carolina State

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh

SMU

SMU

Stanford

Stanford

Syracuse

Syracuse

Virginia

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Wake Forest

Throughout its 70-year history, ACC schools have captured 189 NCAA team championships and 428 NCAA individual titles, as reported in the conference’s 2023 annual report. Since 2015, the ACC has won seven national championships in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball – the only conference to win each of those four titles over that stretch.

 

The conference is based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, and seeks to “maximize the educational and athletic opportunities that shape our leaders of tomorrow – in the classroom, in competition and in life.”

What does joining the ACC mean for SMU?

The University is furthering our momentum as an academic institution and an athletic powerhouse. As a member of the ACC, SMU is better equipped to attract bright minds, talented student-athletes and innovative partnerships that positively impact the University, the city of Dallas and beyond.

How have donors to SMU Athletics impacted this transition?

Simply put, SMU would not have become an ACC member without donor support. Since 2013, SMU has invested over $400 million in championship facilities, dynamic programming and student-athlete support. These contributions enable SMU to excel in competition and garner national attention. Now, we seek additional investments so we can take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead.

With our entry into the ACC, SMU takes its place among the highest levels of collegiate athletics. I encourage every Mustang community member, friend and fan to join me in giving to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

— David B. Miller ’72, ’73, SMU Board of Trustees Chair

Why are additional contributions needed?

Competing at the highest levels requires the right equipment, proper facilities and talented coaching and support staff. In many cases, our new ACC rivals have larger athletics operating budgets and larger donor bases. SMU has agreed to forego Tier 1 distributions for nine years, a financial challenge we are confident the SMU faithful can help us meet. Extra support from donors is critical to ensure that we participate in the ACC as a strong competitor.

How will my contribution help?

Every member of our community has the power to demonstrate to the ACC and the nation the size and dedication of the Mustang community. We welcome gifts of all sizes to make our participation in the ACC strong and attention-grabbing. Your gift directly fuels the success of our student-athletes by making sure they have the championship-caliber facilities, dedicated coaches and staff, and support services needed to succeed on the field and in the classroom.

Some areas of impact include:

  1. Expanding coaching, support and administrative staffing numbers to the same levels as our ACC peers
  2. Increasing resources available to our student-athletes and support staff
  3. Improving, renovating and repairing training and competition spaces across campus

How can I get involved?

Whether you give to facilities, operations or an endowment – and whether you give once or annually – there are many ways to be a part of this new era. There are three fundraising priorities that will create the greatest impact on membership in the ACC:

Weber end zone

The Garry Weber End Zone Complex expands and improves our beloved Gerald. J. Ford Stadium. Additional funding is needed to complete the football complex, which opened in fall 2024. This exciting addition creates new opportunities for our student-athletes and our fans for generations to come.

Costumed Peruna mascot holds sign with SMU and ACC logos

The ACC Competitiveness Campaign is our fundraising initiative to support the costs associated with our membership in the conference. Five-year commitments at all levels support our student-athletes and ensure we recruit, train and compete at a championship level.

Volleyball

The Boulevard Collective is our official Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partner and enables fans to support student-athletes in unprecedented ways. These gifts provide crucial resources to enhance financial stability, education and career opportunities and help SMU navigate the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.

SMU is primed for excellence because of the incredible generosity of our donors. Your gift strengthens our athletic programs, providing crucial support for our dedicated student-athletes.

— Rick Hart, SMU Director of Athletics