Former US President George W. Bush is reportedly lobbying on behalf of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs in their bid to secure a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). As college football faces ongoing conference re-alignment, Bush has joined the campaign to ensure SMU’s inclusion in the ACC, while his former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is doing the same for Stanford University, her alma mater.
According to Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated, both Bush and Rice have been enlisted as influential advocates to support the applications of their respective universities. This unexpected involvement has grabbed the attention of the college football world, creating a buzz on social media platforms such as Twitter.
Despite not having a personal connection to SMU, President Bush has developed a fondness for the school’s athletic program since moving to Dallas after his presidency. Notably, he attended Harvard and Yale for his own education, making his support for SMU even more intriguing.
SMU’s determination to join the ACC underscores the highly competitive nature of college football and the significant impact conference affiliation can have on a program’s visibility, funding, and overall success. As conferences shuffle and adjust their memberships, schools are mobilizing influential figures like Bush and Rice to champion their cause and maximize their chances of securing coveted spots in established conferences.
The involvement of prominent figures like Bush and Rice adds an interesting element to the ongoing conference re-alignment saga. While their influence may provide an advantage, it ultimately comes down to the decision-makers of the ACC to determine whether SMU deserves its place among the conference’s prestigious ranks.
As the college football landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the lobbying efforts of Bush and Rice will impact the ultimate decisions made by the ACC and other conferences. However, their involvement underlines the significance of networking, connections, and advocacy in the pursuit of securing advantageous conference affiliations for college football programs.
In the coming weeks and months, college football enthusiasts will be eagerly monitoring the developments surrounding conference re-alignment and the fate of schools like SMU. The involvement of former President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice certainly adds an intriguing dimension to the story, leaving fans and analysts alike pondering the potential impact of their campaigning efforts.
As the college football world awaits the decisions of the ACC and other conferences, the lobbying efforts of Bush, Rice, and others will continue. Whether their involvement will sway conference officials or influence the final outcomes remains to be seen, but SMU and Stanford remain hopeful for favorable decisions that will shape the future of their football programs.
