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2003: Bulls, C-USA on track

USF remains on course to join conference in football in two years.

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 26, 2001

While it appears Marshall will become Conference USA's 12th football member when league officials meet in October, it is unlikely to hasten South Florida's debut as the conference's 11th team, which is set for 2003.

C-USA athletic directors are scheduled to meet Oct. 3 in Chicago, and, taking input from conference commissioner Mike Slive, they will make a recommendation regarding expansion to C-USA university presidents, who meet Oct. 15 in Fort Worth, Texas. The presidents must approve expansion and can go against recommendations.

If Marshall is admitted, it is likely the Bulls and the Thundering Herd would begin league play in 2003.

"If the decision is to expand, it would be very difficult to get it done in 2002. I think you'd have to look at 2003," Southern Miss athletic director Richard Giannini said. "I don't think at this late date you could expect them to come in cold for next season."

In December, C-USA signed an eight-year contract for football and basketball with ESPN. The contract value escalates significantly if the league plays a championship game in football, which would be broadcast by ABC. However, NCAA regulations say a conference must have at least 12 teams to have a title game.

"The general feeling of the athletic directors is that we want to explore expansion because with the new TV contract we get additional dollars if we have a championship game," Giannini said.

Scheduling issues are the primary holdups to accelerated expansion, especially for Marshall. USF, with four games against C-USA teams scheduled for next season, would have to juggle things extensively, while all C-USA teams would have to make alterations to accommodate the new teams.

"If it is Marshall, and the Mid-American Conference lets them out of their games, then it would be possible, but still improbable, to add (Marshall and South Florida in 2002)," Giannini said.

USF athletic director Lee Roy Selmon said the Bulls are prepared for all possibilities.

"We'll abide by whatever the outcome is," Selmon said. "If something should happen and (membership) comes along early, we'll be ready."

If Marshall joins in 2003, it is unlikely USF would join in 2002 because the league still would be short of the minimum amount of teams required for having a conference tournament.

In October 1999, the presidents voted to delay USF's start date to 2003. The Bulls had been anticipating joining this season.

"I wanted to go in 2001, so if you're asking me if I would want to go in 2002, obviously the answer would be yes," USF coach Jim Leavitt said. "If they would call me today and say we're going in tomorrow, I would go tomorrow."

Marshall moved to Division I-A and joined the MAC in 1997. The Herd has won the conference title all four seasons.

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