Growing rumors about a potential Big East breakup now appear to be valid concerns.

In an April 19 New York Daily News article, Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese accused Atlantic Coast Commissioner John Swofford of trying to get certain Big East teams -- Miami, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Syracuse -- to the join the ACC. Miami has now given Tranghese cause for more concern.

Miami athletic director Paul Dee made a presentation to the university's Board of Trustees weighing the pros and cons of the school's Big East membership. Dee's presentation was supplemented by comments made to the board by head football coach Larry Cooker and women's volleyball coach Nicole Lantagne Welsh. Tranghese believes similar presentations have been made to Miami previously by the ACC.

"They have already made two presentations to the University of Miami -- and have been turned down -- but they continue to come back, hoping to get the right answer. They've gone to Syracuse, Boston College and Virginia Tech," he said.

On April 30 the Orlando Sentinel reported that if Miami were to leave for the ACC, it would join Syracuse and Boston College in a three-team package to expand the ACC to 12 teams.

When asked how he felt about the presentation made to the Miami Board of Trustees, Syracuse athletic director Jay Crouthamel said: "Miami is going to do what it feels is in its best interest. Will that cause us to do something within the Big East? Each individual institution will make that call." Dee and Boston College Athletic Director Gene DeFilippo were not available for comment.

Swofford has denied Tranghese's claim that the ACC is actively pursuing Big East teams.

The ACC wants to add teams because having a total of 12 would allow the conference to have two divisions and a conference championship.

The ACC last added a team (Florida State) in 1992.

Crouthamel does not fault Miami for weighting its options but is concerned for his own athletics department's future.

"It doesn't concern me because [Miami has] earned that position," he said. "The outcome concerns me."