By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published July 3, 2003
Florida State athletic director Dave Hart hopes the ACC will have a 12th football team by the 2004-05 season.
"I don't think much is gained by allowing things to settle down too much," Hart said. "Our original thinking was to have 12 teams. While the most recent expansion got us to 11, we still have one team to go, and we shouldn't waste a lot of time getting there."
If the ACC had 12, it would have two football divisions and a championship game that initially would be worth at least $4-million.
Notre Dame is the first choice of the presidents. Kentucky, South Carolina, Boston College, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Connecticut are other possibilities.
If Notre Dame joins, it could be allowed to play a seven-game conference schedule to allow for its traditional-rivalry games.
Adding a 12th team needs the presidents' approval. Georgia Tech's G. Wayne Clough indicated it might not happen as soon as Hart and others would like.
"There's a certain logic to do it, but we're not in any rush," Clough said. "We have two great new members (in Miami and Virginia Tech). We need a little time bring them into the fold before we jump to any conclusions. We're going to take a little rest."
BAYLOR'S MISSING PLAYER: The roommate of missing basketball player Patrick Dennehy is not in hiding and hired attorney Grady Irvin Jr., who represents ex-FSU quarterback Adrian McPherson, because of the media attention, not because of questions from police, his cousin said. Carlton Dotson's cousin, Chris Waters, said Dotson is in his hometown of Hurlock, a rural community on Maryland's Eastern Shore, and has not been contacted by investigators since last week. No charges have been filed. Authorities have called Dotson a "person of interest" but said they have no single suspect.
PRICE APPEAL: Mike Price's appeal of his firing as Alabama coach was cut short by the university's Staff Mediation Council, prompting his lawyer to say a suit will be filed within two weeks. The council, composed of faculty and staff, decided not to send the appeal to a hearing panel, which would review the employment termination case and make a recommendation to the chancellor. University president Robert Witt asked the council to reconsider its decision. Price never signed a seven-year, $10-million deal and was fired for conduct not in keeping with university policy. Witt has said Price should not receive severance pay.
MICHIGAN: The attorney for Chris Webber, who plays with the NBA's Kings, asked a federal judge to order a Detroit Free Press columnist to testify at his client's upcoming criminal trial. Steve Fishman said Mitch Albom's testimony could discredit prosecutors' claims that Webber received $280,000 from Ed Martin while he played at Michigan (1992-93). U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds scheduled a hearing on the request for Tuesday.
SOUTH FLORIDA: The women's soccer team will host the Conference USA tournament Nov. 4-8. The Bulls, who are hosting the league tournament for the first time, also host Miami for the first time Sept. 7. The Bulls were 8-8-2 last season and lost in the opening round of the C-USA tournament.
