GREENSBORO, N.C. — Jay Bromley and Macky MacPherson both knew the gist of what people ask them — it was pretty much impossible not to. They were two of the fresh faces, two representatives of one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s fun, new attractions.

They each fielded a variation of the same question close to a dozen times.

So, how does it feel?

“It’s like when you turn 21 and someone says, ‘How do you feel?’” MacPherson said. “You get married. ‘How do you feel?’ You don’t feel any different yet, but you know there are going to be some changes, so we’re looking forward to getting those changes underway when the season starts.”

Syracuse is right at the heart of the conference’s great overturn that was clearly the theme of the day on Sunday, opening day of the ACC Football Kickoff. Two members, SU and Pittsburgh, are new. Louisville will arrive next season and Maryland is effectively a lame-duck school in its final season before leaving for the Big 10.

In the Orange’s debut in ACC country, it perhaps felt a bit out of place at first. MacPherson thought it was strange when a woman for whom he held a door called him “sweetie.” And he made it clear he prefers his tea unsweetened.

“I guess that’s some sort of mortal sin down here,” he said.

Just as he did at a July 1 press conference in New York City, ACC commissioner John Swofford opened this conference by welcoming the new members. Nearly every player in attendance was asked about the new complexion of the conference, especially the Orange duo.

MacPherson said he felt welcomed, and painted a picture of how he views the ACC.

“It’s East Coast, good academics, quality athletics all around,” MacPherson said. “When you think of East Coast league, the teams that you would put inside that league.”

They’re qualities that Syracuse largely possesses, as well. The defining characteristic of the conference that Bromley mentioned, though, is something the Orange also shares.

“Tradition.”

“Down south, football is law,” Bromley said, “so everything is about tradition.”

For many players of the conference’s staples, the changes have gone, at least so far, relatively unnoticed.

Virginia defensive end Jake Snyder said he doesn’t think about it “on the day-to-day level.” He thought it was strange at first when Pitt was on the Cavaliers’ schedule, but he conceded that it’s good for the conference.

“It’s great for the ACC to have these new teams coming in,” Snyder said. “It’s just something different than we’ve been used to, but it’s exciting.”

Duke cornerback Ross Cockrell said the different styles that new teams bring is what stands out most to him. Things like that can obviously change over time, but Syracuse and Pittsburgh boast offenses that aren’t necessarily as explosive as some others in the ACC.

Toward the end of the interview session, MacPherson got pulled away for an on-camera interview so he could be asked one last time what the move has been like.

He beamed as he walked back to the table.

“I interviewed the interviewer,” he said. “I asked her what it’s been like for her, moving from the Big East to the ACC.”

Published on July 21, 2013 at 8:46 pm

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2