The **Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)** is a prominent collegiate athletic organization in the United States, established in 1953 by seven universities that split from the Southern Conference primarily due to disagreements over post-season football play restrictions[2][4]. The founding members were Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina, and Wake Forest, with the University of Virginia joining later that year despite initial resistance from its leadership[2][3]. The ACC was created to provide a more manageable and competitive athletic conference along the Atlantic coast, focusing on both football and basketball, although it has become especially renowned for its basketball excellence over the decades[1][4]. Academics and athletic standards have been a priority for the ACC since its early years, as exemplified by its pioneering implementation of minimum SAT scores for student-athletes in the 1960s, a policy reflecting its commitment to balancing sports with education[2][3]. The conference grew steadily over time, expanding its membership to include notable universities such as Florida State in 1990, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College in the early 2000s, and more recently, schools like the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford, and Southern Methodist University in 2024, reflecting a broadening geographic footprint beyond the traditional Atlantic coast[4][5]. Currently, the ACC comprises 15 full member schools plus Notre Dame, which competes in all sports except football within the conference[4]. Key achievements of ACC member schools include multiple national championships across various sports, particularly football and basketball. Clemson University’s football program, for example, has won two national titles and multiple conference championships, securing its status as a powerhouse within the league[6]. The ACC continues to be a leader in collegiate athletics, known for its competitive balance, academic standards, and innovation in college sports governance[5][7]. In summary, the Atlantic Coast Conference stands as a historic and influential collegiate athletic organization, combining rich traditions in sport