In recent years college sports have undergone huge changes in the shape of conference realignment. While some argue that realignment increases the level of competition, it is inflicting serious harm to the fabric of college sports.
One of the most significant casualties of conference realignment is the loss of storied rivalries that have defined college sports for decades. Teams that once faced off in high-stakes matchups now rarely play each other. For fans these rivalries represent more than just a game, they represent history and loyalty. In the case of the University of Maryland, which left the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for the Big Ten in 2014, Maryland’s storied rivalries with teams like Duke and UNC were sacrificed for financial gain. The realignment may have promised greater exposure and revenue, but it came at the expense of rich traditions that cannot be replicated.
The geographical landscape of college athletics is changing as well; with teams traveling across the country for games that once had a regional significance. This burdens fans who have to travel further to support their teams. The essence of college sports has always been tied to local communities and regional rivalries. For example, the Big 12 has added schools like Cincinnati and UCF to join a conference primarily based in Texas and the Midwest. Such moves create lengthy travel times leading to less time for student athletes’ academic commitments and personal lives.
Conference realignment has brought financial benefits to schools, the costs of tradition, student-athlete welfare, and fan engagement. Rivalries that once captivated communities are vanishing, athletes are more burnt out, and fans are losing their connection to the sport. If college sports are to retain its character, decision-makers must prioritize the health of the sport over financial gains. The commercialization of college sports threatens to eliminate the very things that made it special in the first place, and realignment is a clear example of how this shift is causing more harm than good.
