Black caucus will hold hearing on Alabama hiring of Mike Shula
By Compiled from Times wires
Published May 16, 2003
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Members of Alabama's legislative black caucus said Thursday they would hold a hearing this summer on Alabama's hiring of a white coach over a black candidate.
The news conference was attended by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who had called on state legislators to investigate the university's hiring of Mike Shula.
Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, said the eight black senators and 27 black representatives who comprise the caucus would start with a probe into the hiring of Shula, who is white, over Green Bay assistant Sylvester Croom, who is black.
Holmes said he would like the probe to be expanded to include hiring practices throughout the state university system: "I'm sure it will go beyond the coach," he said.
In other Alabama news, a judge granted Ronnie Cottrell, the former recruiting coordinator under ex-coach Mike DuBose, a change of venue to Tuscaloosa in his lawsuit against the school and the NCAA. Cottrell's complaint says he has been unable to get another coaching job because of the NCAA charges. He is seeking $15-million in compensatory damages and $45-million in punitive damages.
FSU rings problem still undecided
Florida State has not yet taken any disciplinary action against defensive lineman Willie Jones Jr., who apparently sold his 2002 ACC championship ring. (A ring with his last name and number, 29, was sold on eBay as was one from an another unidentified FSU player.)
"We have not been advised to declare Willie Jones ineligible," FSU spokesman Rob Wilson said in a statement. "Our compliance office has been in contact with the NCAA regarding the issue and is waiting on an interpretation."
Georgia just declared nine football players ineligible for selling their 2002 SEC championship rings.
MORE FSU: President T.K. Wetherell apologized to ACC presidents for his school's role in divulging the confidential expansion plans as John Thrasher, chairman of FSU's board of trustees, provided details of the conference call Tuesday to a reporter.
"It is important to me and (athletic director) Dave Hart that you realize we did not deliberately violate the confidentiality agreement," Wetherell wrote in a letter sent Wednesday. "We certainly did not want to be the institution that created the problem."
AUBURN: Announcer Jim Fyffe, who endeared himself to fans with his signature "Touchdown Auburn!" call, died after suffering an aneurysm. He was 57.
GEORGIA TECH: Ten players, including leading rusher Tony Hollings, were declared academically ineligible for next season.
Starting defensive end Tony Hargrove, who had 49 tackles and four sacks last season, and reserves Anthony Lawston, Kingi McNair and Michael Sampson also will miss next season.
The others weren't identified by the school, which cited privacy issues, but a third starter was declared ineligible.
Basketball
GAINESVILLE - High school standout Mohamed Abukar has orally committed to Florida, ending intense recruiting for the 6-foot-8 forward from San Diego.
Last year, Abukar signed to play for Georgia and former coach Jim Harrick, but when Harrick resigned under pressure this year, Abukar asked for, and was granted, a release from his commitment. Abukar averaged 30 points and 13 rebounds at Rancho Bernardo High last season.
MISSOURI: The NCAA reinstated guard Jason Conley after he was declared ineligible this month. The school submitted a report to the NCAA on May 5 admitting violations in the recruitment of Conley and declared him ineligible. Missouri then asked for Conley to be reinstated.
The NCAA enforcement staff will review self-imposed penalties Missouri suggested for its coaches.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Ex-Virginia Tech coach Ricky Stokes has been named assistant.
Baseball
MEMPHIS 2, USF 1: The host Bulls lost for the eighth straight time.
DIVISION II: Tampa (39-16) defeated Presbyterian College (27-27) 11-3 in the first round of the South Region tournament. Starter Eric Beattie (13-2) went 71/3 innings.
- Times staff writers Brian Landman and Antonya English contributed to this report.
