Jim Quist @ACCTheQ –
NC State, North Carolina and Pitt women’s gymnastics were among the founding members of the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL). The league was formed in 1995 to provide women a platform in which to compete. Among the original members were NC State, North Carolina, Pitt, Maryland, New Hampshire, Rutgers, Towson and West Virginia. At the time, Pitt wasn’t a member of the ACC however Maryland was and with the addition of the Panthers to the conference it became a sponsored sport along with a championship. In 2012, West Virginia departed after joining the Big 12. Then, in 2014 Maryland and Rutgers left EAGL as they joined the Big Ten.
With Maryland leaving it left the ACC with just three teams, one shy of the four necessary to by a sponsored sport in the conference. The Wolfpack, Tar Heels and Panthers returned to competition in EAGL. The current lineup of member schools includes; George Washington, New Hampshire, Towson, LIU and Temple in addition to the aforementioned ACC schools.
Another shakeup in the list of schools competing in EAGL is coming. Starting with the 2023-2024 season those changes will impact the ACC. Clemson Director of Athletics, Dan Radakovich recently announced the addition of two new women’s sports including women’s gymnastics. “We are thrilled to be able to add these two high-profile women’s and expand opportunities for female student-athletes,” said Radakovich. He noted, “…gymnastics gives us the ability to compete for ACC and NCAA Division I Championships, and we know our community will embrace these new programs.”
Women’s Gymnastics
With the addition of Clemson, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips commented, “…adding women’s gymnastics as the league’s 28th sponsored sport, only enhances our incredible collection of athletic programs.” With 15 women’s and 13 men’s sports the ACC will have the most women’s sports offerings among Power 5 conferences. Both the regular and post season formats for the sport will be decided upon in the future.
Since the founding of EAGL there have been many changes in gymnastics across the Division I landscape and beyond. What has being a part of the league meant to some of the ACC teams that are members? We asked NC State Women’s Gymnastics Head Coach Kim Landrus, a two-time EAGL COY honoree for her thoughts. “For the past 25 years, North Carolina State has competed in EAGL conference. It has provided numerous Wolfpack student-athletes a competitive experience filled with opportunity, and achievements both academically and athletically. Every year, the EAGL Championships was one of the most anticipated competitions of the entire season. The camaraderie with the conference, along with the bonds that are created, has definitely been memorable for all.”
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A return to being an ACC sponsored sport opens additional doors for member schools when it comes to recruiting, competition and support from the conference in promoting the sport. As Clemson AD Radakovich indicated in his announcement the door opens for their program to the eight nearby SEC programs providing the school with elite regional competition.
Pitt Women’s Gymnastics Head Coach Samantha Snider reflected on the changes and what it means to the Panthers program. “The addition of the Clemson Gymnastics program is incredibly exciting, not just for the ACC, but for collegiate gymnastics across the country. We at Pitt are thrilled to represent the ACC in gymnastics alongside so many other amazing female sports. The EAGL conference has grown into a fiercely competitive field and we are forever grateful to have been a part of such a special conference. We look forward to competing the ACC with pride and class.
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Landus added, “The addition of Clemson Gymnastics is truly exciting for the sport of gymnastics and the ACC conference. When it was announced, I realized all the history that will be made moving forward. For our student-athletes, coaches and staff, it’s going to be something special to be a part of. I am thrilled that gymnastics will become the 28th league sponsored sport and look forward to competing with North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Clemson in 2024!”
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