ACC begins process of selecting title game site

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The Atlantic Coast Conference began reviewing proposals Wednesday from seven cities to host the league&#39;s football championship game in 2005.<br> <br> A sub-committee of the league&#39;s athletics directors met with conference officials to review proposals from Charlotte; Baltimore; Miami; Jacksonville, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Tampa, Fla.; and Washington, D.C., the league said in a release.<br> <br> The league&#39;s championship game would take place once the ACC has expanded to 12 teams. Miami and Virginia Tech join the league Thursday, while Boston College is slated to become the 12th member next year.<br> <br> The league is expected to announce a decision by early fall.<br> <br> In an interview this week with The Associated Press, commissioner John Swofford said the league solicited proposals from nine cities, with only Atlanta and East Rutherford, N.J., declining to participate.<br> <br> ``We&#39;re extremely pleased at what&#39;s coming back in terms of interest and support for the game,&#39;&#39; Swofford said.<br> <br> Swofford said it was too early to say if any city had an advantage. He acknowledged Charlotte would be a ``strong possibility&#39;&#39; considering its central location in the conference&#39;s geographical footprint. The city also has the 73,367-seat Bank of America Stadium, home to the NFL&#39;s Carolina Panthers and the Continental Tire Bowl.<br> <br> ``No question Charlotte is a strong possibility, along with several others,&#39;&#39; Swofford said. ``Charlotte has the central location and superb stadium and now has two years of a very successful bowl game that I think indicates the city is very supportive and excited about college football.&#39;&#39;

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/7/156535