While the national media debates what Notre Dame's move to ACC means and millions of dollars of conference buyouts are discussed, there's a hot story brewing in the Northeast about Boston University and America East.
BU is moving to the Patriot League next academic year. The Terriors will continue to play in the American East this year. But the conference, in line with its bylaws, has declared BU ineligible for conference post-season play. What does this mean? The only way a BU team can make the NCAA tournament, in any sport, is through an at-large bid. (Folks, America East doesn't get at-large bids.)
In constrast, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, which will lose Loyola to the Patriot League next year, is letting the program play as a full member, post-season tournaments and all.
For a great read on the topic, check out Pete Iorizzo's column in the Albany Times-Union. The money line comes from the parent of a BU student-athlete who has turned away from her anger into making the best of an unfair situation: "Sometimes, you don't win the trophy. We want to give everyone a ribbon, but you know what? Not everyone always gets a ribbon."
--- Amy Moritz
