The rapid expansion of college athletics has turned what were once regional rivalries into cross‑country undertakings, and the burden of travel now weighs heavily on athletes who compete in sports that generate little revenue.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has floated the idea of regional scheduling for non‑football sports, arguing that grouping games closer to home could ease the logistical strain and keep student‑athletes from spending excessive time on buses and planes.
ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, whose conference stretches from the Atlantic seaboard to the Midwest, says the proposal sounds appealing in theory but runs into practical obstacles when you consider the sheer size of modern conferences.
The problem became tangible when a softball matchup between Oregon and Northwestern was abruptly halted mid‑game because the traveling team could not reach its destination before a curfew, a scenario that illustrates how travel constraints can cut seasons short.
Re‑imagining the schedule
Former Georgia Tech coach Nell Fortner has added her voice to the debate, urging administrators to separate football scheduling from the calendars of other sports so that rivalry games and local matchups are preserved.
In a rare gesture of conference goodwill, NC State and North Carolina are set to meet in a non‑conference contest this season, a move designed to rekindle a rivalry that was lost when the Power 4 realignment reshaped the traditional slate.