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The Orlando Sentinel series identifying “The Most Powerful People in College Sports” focuses today on the ACC.
The choice for No.1 is clear: It is commissioner John Swofford, the lifelong fan of the league he built into a 12-team super-conference.
The ACC is full of powerful administrators and legendary coaches. None, though, has shaped the ACC into what it is today more than Swofford, a native of North Wilkesboro and former quarterback and later athletics director at North Carolina. Andrew Carter, Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel
1. John Swofford
ACC commissioner.
The ACC's commissioner since 1997, he has led the conference through major changes – none more dramatic than the expansion in 2003 that altered the landscape of college sports. Under Swofford's watch, the ACC has grown significantly in stature and exposure.
2. Mike Krzyzewski
Duke basketball coach.
When you're known nationally by a single letter – as Coach K is – you're powerful. Duke might have slipped – if only a bit – in recent years, but Krzyzewski is still the most identifiable coach in the college game. He led Team USA to the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.
3. Roy Williams
North Carolina basketball coach.
A favorite son of North Carolina, Williams returned to his alma mater in 2003. All he has done since is guide the Tar Heels to two national championships (2005 and '09) and restore greatness to one of the most storied programs in the nation.
4. Charlotte's
Ken Haines
President and chief executive officer, Raycom Sports.
ACC basketball owes a lot of its growth to Raycom Sports, which began televising the league's games regionally in the early 1980s. Haines joined the company not long after its inception in 1979, and he has played an integral role ever since in the broadcast partnership with the league. Raycom's most recent contract with the ACC, which expires in 2011, brought more than $300 million to the conference over 10 years.
5. Michael Kelly
ACC associate commissioner for football.
Kelly manages the league's regular-season football schedule and has the unenviable task of making the league's struggling football championship game a success.
6. Debbie Yow
Maryland athletics director.
Maryland's athletics department had plenty of issues before Yow's arrival in 1994. But since then, the Terrapins have significantly improved competitively – in the classroom and financially.
7. Karl Hicks
ACC associate commissioner for men's basketball.
Upset that your favorite ACC basketball team is seemingly never on ESPN? Blame the network. Then blame Hicks. He has the most control over the league's regular-season schedule, and he also is responsible for management and promotion of the ACC basketball tournament.
8. Ron Wellman
Wake Forest athletics director.
The longest-tenured of any of the league's athletic directors, Wellman began his role at Wake Forest in 1992 and has since led one of the most successful overall athletic programs in the nation.
9. Bobby Bowden
Florida State football coach.
No, Bowden's program isn't what it used to be, and his detractors might say he's not the most powerful coach on his own staff. Still, he's a living legend and his dominant Seminoles teams of the 1990s helped make the ACC more football-centric.
10. Dick Vitale
College basketball broadcaster, ABC/ESPN.
Love him or hate him, Dickie V is an ambassador for college basketball and, especially, ACC basketball. He might have his favorites and he might inspire you to hit the mute button, but when he broadcasts an ACC game, it's a two-hour commercial for how great the league is, baby!
The Rest
11. Gary Stokan, president of the Chick-fil-A Bowl
12. Rick Catlett, president of the Gator Bowl
13. Dick Baddour, UNC athletics director
14. Kevin White, Duke athletics director
15. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech football coach
16. Gary Williams, Maryland basketball coach
17. Dean Smith, former UNC basketball coach
18. John Clougherty, ACC coordinator of men's basketball officials
19. Gene Corrigan, former ACC commissioner
20. Randy Spetman, Florida State athletics director
