Too much negative commentary towards Wake Forest, whether stated, implied or poorly veiled. Wake is a founding member of the ACC. When the ACC had 9 members and were voting on whether to add Va Tech & Miami (and eventually BC), the conference needed 7 yes votes to proceed.
While Wake, with known disadvantages due to its small size especially in football, had many logical reasons to join Duke and UNC with a no vote which would block any expansion, the Deacs' leadership chose to vote yes because and I quote "it is in the best interest of the conference as a whole." In other words, especially when it pertains to football, they thought appropriately for the whole instead of themselves.
Much is made of then-Governor Warner's influence along with UVA President John Casteen (though Warner deserves far more credit as Casteen was just following directions...read linked story below) in getting the Hokies into the ACC. But, let's not forget UVA was only 1 vote. Any of the other 6 members at the time (less Duke and UNC who voted no) could have blocked the Hokies (and/or Miami, BC).
The Southern wing, at the time GT/CLEM/FSU, was always solidly a yes for inclusion of the Hokies and Miami (and BC for that matter). Those are football-first athletic programs that wanted improved FB for the ACC.
UVA was a no to everybody unless VPI&SU was included. So, it really boiled down to NC State and Wake. NC State was a "yes" and deserves credit as well. NCSU is far bigger and has the infrastructure, alumni and student population size, etc., that Wake does not. Same for the Twerps. Though, Wake has a lot of $$$.
Wake had a lot of selfish reasons to block things, but they thought of the bigger picture and for that I admire them. Hopefully, some of the younger fans in the ACC - particularly Hokies - won't ever forget this. Further, I hope they will knock down any disparaging commentary about Wake. The ACC is lucky to have Wake Forest in many many ways.
A good article that doesn't mention Wake but has some good info in it for consumption and reminders...
https://www.wralsportsfan.com/virginia-t.../16733003/
Carry on!