What are we going to do with Bob Ryan?

In my communications classes, I have often researched my own personal theory that media members, in an attempt to cover up their own personal biases, often slant their reporting heavily against their own personal opinions. For years, I have thought that this might be the case with BC alum and Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan.

But after today's anti-ACC diatribe in the Globe (seriously! get over it! it's been four years!), I'm convinced that the real issue here is that Mr. Ryan is simply stuck in the past. He's not plugged in to the exciting new era in the history of Boston College.

I don't need to repeat Ryan's column here - it's the same old, tired talking points: the move was a wash in hoops, BC is a geographic outlier, BC had more in common with Big East opponents, blah blah blah. I'm surprised he didn't mention travel costs.

Much like That Guy who thinks celebrating the mass in the local vernacular is a sign of the devil among us, Bob Ryan just can't accept that sometimes, changes can be changes for the better. Is New York better than Charlotte? Yeah, but Death Valley, Blacksburg, and Tallahassee blow away Storrs, Morganhole, and Pittsburgh.

My letter to him:

Mr. Ryan:

Since joining the ACC, Boston College has gotten more publicity, attention, and applications from new parts of the country than it ever has in the history of the institution. BC fit perfectly into the Big East when it was a commuter school for kids from Southie, but BC is striving to be a top-tier research university of the caliber of Duke, North Carolina, Wake Forest, and the other fine schools of the ACC.

From a strictly athletic perspective, it was probably a lateral move at best in hoops, but the benefits to football are immeasurable (more exciting opponents, more stable conference, better bowl tie-ins, better revenue sharing).

And, as almost all people seem to forget, there are other sports besides basketball and football. BC’s non-revenue sports are far, far better off in the ACC, which has incredible leagues in women’s basketball, men’s & women’s soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and baseball.

BC soccer is already reaping the benefits of this, reaching recruits all over the world who are sold on BC’s message of combining an outstanding education, proximity to a great American city, and competitiveness in athletics. BC has been one of the top teams in soccer recruiting on both the men’s and women’s side in each of the last few years and it’s shown on the field with the men winning the ACC title and the women being ranked in the top ten.

Tradition is nice, but not when it stifles growth and development. It’s good to see that the Jesuits are one part of the Catholic Church that actually understands that message. For you, as a BC grad, to see this as anything other than a massive upgrade is extremely disappointing.

Joseph Gravellese
Boston College A&S 2010