Several drink vending machines vanished from campus recently. Their mysterious disappearance left ACU faculty, staff and students wondering if this is a sign that after almost 10 years of enduring Pepsi products, the university would finally be able to buy Coca-Cola products on campus.

While the machines were eventually replaced with newer, shinier, see-through machines, they unfortunately continued to dispense Pepsi and its counterparts.

ACU’s 10-year contract with Pepsi ends in spring 2012.  Anthony Williams, chief business officer for the university, said the university will reevaluate the contract before it runs out – giving us a glimmer of hope for a Coke-infused ACU.

Williams said he has been pleased with the contract. However, we are hoping he and the university will consider some important facts about Coke in the two years before the decision is made.

Coke is America’s original soft drink. Created by John S. Pemberton, Coca-Cola was first introduced in 1886. Since then, millions of people around the country and around the world have enjoyed the sweet, gingery, carbonated beverage.

Coke is the superior soda, not only because it tastes better, but because its diet options taste better than Pepsi’s. Coke Zero is a zero calorie beverage that hardly tastes like it’s lacking sugar.

As far as celebrity endorsements are concerned, Coke can boast endorsements from Paula Abdul, Kate Beckinsale, Bill Cosby, Tim Duncan, Michelle Kwan, Jennifer Lopez, Cal Ripken and Santa Claus himself – all classy, just like the product they endorse. Pepsi, on the other hand, has had to settle for Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Pink and Enrique Iglesia – a sub-par lineup.

These endorsements led to some memorable Coke commercials featuring polar bears, Christmas themes and fuzzy, catchy jingles like the classic, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing.”

The only Pepsi commercial we could remember involved an unfortunate Michael Jackson, flaming-jerry-curl incident.

The most critical point, however, is the obvious strength in the aesthetic appeal of the Coca-Cola label. Coke uses a vibrant red script font on a stark black can for the Coke Zero product, or a fire engine red can with a pure, white script for the regular product. The Coke design is far superior to Pepsi’s modern, bright blue can with white, blocky lettering.

The university should also remember that Abilene has a Coke factory. ACU really should support the local business and create a partnership with this first-class “coke” – and since most Texans call all carbonated beverages “coke” anyway, having Coca-Cola on campus would only make Texas natives more accurate in their speech.

When all is said and done, Coke is America’s choice, and should therefore be ACU’s choice.

The choice is clear: choose Coke. Oh, and keep the Dr. Pepper.