Big East schools to keep discussing future options
By Times Wires
Published August 7, 2003
Representatives from remaining schools in the Big East will continue to meet to discuss the conference's future.
Most of the schools met with commissioner Mike Tranghese on Tuesday in Newark, N.J. The presidents of Boston College, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Villanova and St. John's joined athletic directors from Rutgers, Seton Hall and Syracuse at the meeting.
Representatives from Connecticut, Notre Dame, Providence and West Virginia did not attend. Also, Temple, whose football team plays in the Big East through next season but otherwise is not affiliated with the league, did not attend.
The meeting "was another exploratory discussion," Tranghese said in a statement. "No decisions on our future structure were reached."
More meetings are expected, though none have been scheduled.
The Big East is examining a possible realignment because Miami and Virginia Tech will join the ACC at the start of the 2004-05 academic year.
Two main options are under consideration. One is for the schools with football programs - Boston College, Connecticut Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and West Virginia - to form a new league.
The other is for the football schools to remain and possibly expand the federation to 16 teams.
Football
CLEMSON: The school will reduce the number of fans on its hill from 5,000 to no more than 3,000 and limit access to the field after games in hopes of preventing the problems that occurred after it beat South Carolina in November. A security guard sustained a broken collarbone and broken ribs and a student a mild concussion during the on-field celebration.
MICHIGAN: Defensive back Marlin Jackson pleaded innocent to charges he hit a man in the eye with a bottle, causing an injury that required 17 stitches. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Aug. 13.
MISSISSIPPI ST.: Athletic director Larry Templeton said he has not been in contact with the NCAA for several weeks and no timetable has been set to conclude the NCAA's investigation. In March, the school received a preliminary letter of inquiry, which informed it the NCAA was looking into allegations of undisclosed rules violations during the past five seasons.
NORTH CAROLINA: Defensive tackle Donti Coats has received a medical hardship and won't play anymore, the school announced. Coats, a senior who had 25 tackles in 11 games last season, has sustained injuries to his right ankle in each of the past three seasons.
OHIO ST.: Coach Jim Tressel said he is confident Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall can fill in well for Maurice Clarett. Clarett has been held out of practices (and Wednesday's team picture) while the NCAA and the university investigate if he received improper help in passing a course last fall.
GROZA AWARD: USF's Santiago Gramatica and Florida State's Xavier Beitia are among 30 on the watch list for the award given to the nation's top kicker.
GRIDIRON CLASSIC: The postseason all-star game is moving from Orlando to The Villages, a 33,000-resident development in Lady Lake, about 40 miles from Orlando. Bleachers will be built on the community's two polo fields to accommodate 10,000-20,000 fans. The game, to be played Jan. 31, matches seniors with Florida roots against players from the rest of the nation.Basketball
KENTUCKY WESLEYAN: The school must vacate its runner-up finish in last season's Division II men's tournament, the NCAA ruled. In July, the school agreed to forfeit all of its victories from last season after the NCAA found it allowed two transfers to play despite being ineligible. It also said in July it would not appeal the NCAA's ruling.
OHIO ST.: Forward Zach Williams said he will transfer from Ohio State to Wright State to play for former Buckeyes assistant Paul Biancardi, who was hired as coach in April. He started in all but 10 of 94 games, averaging 8.5 points and 4.9 rebounds.
WOODEN AWARD: Florida's David Lee and Matt Walsh are among the 50 nominees for the award given to the nation's top player.
Men's hockey
CLARKSON: The school reached a settlement with former coach Mark Norris, who was fired in November for an on-ice altercation with a player and was suing the school.
Settlement terms will remain confidential, the school said. Morris was fired for an altercation Nov. 2 involving Zachary Schwan, a junior reserve forward. Morris responded with a $15-million breach-of-contract lawsuit.
Over 14 seasons, he coached the team to one of the best records in Division I hockey, 306-153-42, and made nine appearances in the NCAA tournament, including a Frozen Four berth in 1991.
