in 1990. Virginia Tech was among the schools being considered, and the Big East leadership was in Lane Stadium that beautiful day. That win opened the door for membership in a football conference.

But the Big East wasn't all cake and ice cream, joining as a football only member with at its core, a basketball conference. The sequence of events that lead to Tech gaining ACC membership in 2004 could never have been planned. Yes, Dave Braine had Virginia Tech positioned to make the move when the opportunity arose. But there was a lot of luck and help that made it happen.