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Post being replied to

That piece seems like it was spoon fed to Sampson by Irishlawyer

by ND powers that be to move the conversation toward joining a conference. When I read the particular insights you point out and look at them with a pro-conference spin as envisioned by powers that be at ND in favor of conference alignment, I read them as

1. This has been in the works a long time and Jack is just the guy with the long term vision to take us there. Trust Jack.

2. Hey, the ACC has been giving us "love" for a long time, plus, Gene Corrigan would never hurt ND. Trust the ACC.

3. Yeah, we are an east coast school. The fact that so many Catholic and public school kids from Chicagoland and around the midwest grow up loving and attending ND is just more about how those kids want to go "out East". We are an East Coast school trapped in the Midwest! The ACC is a FIT!

4. Wow, that's a LOT of money being left on the table. I mean, heck, we haven't really explored how far we could push NBC or even switching over to be part of the evil empire at ESPN - we aren't talking about that. But, the brand is strong and we are good citizens with our "partners" at NBC... but that's alot of money. What's fair is fair and we need more money.

5. ND is distinct. Everyone who worries that losing independence will somehow change the unique nature of the university needs to CALM DOWN! ND is special whether it is in the ACC or not.

6. The Shamrock Series is kind of stupid. No one really likes it and no one would cry if we lost it which would happen if we join the ACC. Let's join the ACC!