| | Conference USA commissioner Mike Slive doesn't have a consensus for
expansion from his athletic administrators, the Word was told by high-level
sources within the league who have been in the negotiations with the prospective
schools.
Slive is facing opposition from C-USA members Louisville, DePaul,
UNC Charlotte, Saint Louis, Marquette, UAB and Southern
Mississippi to the plan of adding Western Athletic Conference members
Southern Methodist and Texas Christian. But Slive is only charged with making a recommendation of his three-week findings to the presidents for a conference call Sept. 23, not a final decision.
The presidents could go against the advice of some of their athletic
administrators and coaches and vote to expand the nine-team football and
12-team basketball league for the 2001-02 season. The presidents need
three-fourths of the full membership and two-thirds of the football
membership to pass the expansion proposal.
Presidents consistently do their own thing and can make rogue decisions -- just ask the WAC.
The presidents of the then-10-team WAC added six teams to become a 16-team league
in a '94 meeting instead of heeding the advice of their athletics directors, of
whom the majority voted for a 12-team league. The 16-team WAC split apart three years after it was formed, with the eight-team Mountain West being created and the remaining eight teams staying in the WAC this year.
Current Louisville athletics director Tom Jurich was one of the WAC ADs
who voted for a 12-team expansion when he was at Colorado State in the mid-'90s.
Conference USA assistant commissioner John McNamara was with the WAC during
its 16-team expansion and knows the problems all too well.
Slive met with TCU officials last Thursday and SMU's hierarchy Monday in
Chicago. He's also dealing with the application for football membership from
basketball member South Florida and the full-sport membership from football
member East Carolina. The Pirates play all but football in the Colonial
Athletic Association. CAA commissioner Tom Yeager told the Word that he's
been appraised of East Carolina's membership plans by the school and Slive.
He said there's a three-year notice in CAA but it can be shortened, although
a financial penalty could be attached for leaving.
Sources said the opposition is imploring Slive to recommend against
expansion because there are too many questions. A number of sources told the
Word that expansion isn't a good idea unless it's unanimous. Sources said any
money gained by the addition of SMU and TCU (and South Florida) from league entry fees and a
football championship game would be gone in a year.
"It's cooling on everybody," another source said.
The basketball members are against the expansion because it makes it a
14-team league, or 15-team league if East Carolina were added. A 15-team league is
actually harder to manage than 16 because of scheduling and divisional
problems. The league would lose rivalries, and less money would be earmarked for each member.
The other concern is that TCU, SMU and East Carolina don't bring enough
to the conference to warrant expansion. TCU and SMU's football teams are
winless thus far, and overall don't command the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
East Carolina's basketball program wouldn't add anything more than two other
games to the schedule. The Pirates haven't been a perennial basketball power.
The overall feeling is that Conference USA is in no rush to expand. The ACC failed to
move on expansion during the president's meetings in Tallahassee, Fla.,
Monday and Tuesday. That leaves the Big East alone in the expansion hunt -- for the time being. But if the Big East were to lose members, it could change the landscape for
Conference USA with either the chance to grab a Temple (in the Big East for football and the Atlantic 10 for basketball) for full membership or lose members to the Big East if it needed to replace teams.
For now, everything appears to be remaining status quo, except in the
WAC. If TCU and SMU don't leave, sources said the WAC will still move to add
Boise State, and possibly Utah State and New Mexico State, to become a
12-team, two-division league in 2000-01 or '01-02. Nevada is already on board to join for 2000-2001.
Rice and Tulsa officials told the Word that any talk of those two schools going to the Sun Belt is ludicrous and would never happen. Sources told the Word that the Big West won't stop its
members from leaving early, with the expectation that dumping football will
alleviate cost concerns in the league. If the Big West were to drop to six
members by losing its six football members, it would look to add UC Riverside
when it becomes a Division I program next year.
The Atlantic 10, which is losing Virginia Tech from its 12-team basketball league in
2001 to the Big East, isn't planning on expanding. Virginia Tech's departure
is contingent on the current membership of the Big East. If the ACC were to
change its mind and grab a few Big East members (Boston College, Rutgers, Miami and/or
Syracuse are always the schools mentioned), then the Hokies'
transfer could be off.
The A-10 told the Word it will stay with a one-division, 11-team format in 2001-02. Virginia Tech could be dumped a year early by the A-10 and be forced to play as an independent, much like Penn State did when it went from the A-10 to the Big Ten. The A-10 would play 14 league games. Wooing Delaware away from the America East is an option, but the problem with adding the Blue Hens is that the they don't deliver a market that the A-10 doesn't already own. The A-10 needs a team that would be a no-brainer, like DePaul if something were to happen to Conference USA.
Clearinghouse woes
Jason Richardson, Michigan State's top incoming freshman, was ruled ineligible by the NCAA
Clearinghouse because of a discrepancy in the way an English class was
reported in ninth grade.
The Spartans are filing a second appeal but if it's rejected again, they should advise Richardson to sue the NCAA in the same manner Kenny
Thomas did when he was at New Mexico. Thomas was initially ruled ineligible
by the clearinghouse because a math class wasn't considered a core
class. Thomas wasn't even considered a recruitable athlete in ninth grade
and had no knowledge of core classes. Thomas won an injunction and played as
a freshman in '95-96.
The NCAA and Thomas reached an agreement prior to his
junior year to end the case but only if Thomas sat out the first semester as
a senior. New Mexico then had to pay his legal costs. Thomas finished his eligibility last
year and was drafted by Houston in the first round.
Richardson transferred high schools after ninth grade at Nouvel H.S. in Saginaw, Mich. A
source told the Word that one of his English classes was referred to as
TS-English instead of English 1. His second high school, Arthur Hill, saw it
as a core class, but it wasn't referred to it as a core by Nouvel. A source said Richardson took another English class during his senior year and took one during a bridge program at Michigan State to ensure he had the situation covered. A source said this is being referred
to as a typo by Michigan State and the high schools. Richardson qualified
academically with his grade-point average and standardized test score.
"It makes us all sick," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "There has
to be a human element here. It's criminal and it's a slap in the face."
The NCAA gave back the right for the high schools to choose core classes
but the clearinghouse still spits out a computer printout of who's eligible
and who's not, despite situations where core classes could be misreported or
misunderstood.
The loss of Richardson puts a dent in the Spartans' national title plans. He
was expected to be the sixth man or a potential starter, giving them instant
offense from the wing. Neither Richardson nor the school should let this die.
The NCAA is ripe for lawsuits and this is another one it could and should
lose.
Tragedy in the game
Charles Hayward's death from leukemia Sunday night puts in perspective
everything we do in covering this sport. It's easy to put together a story on
a hard-luck situation and move on but when the worst scenario occurs, it can
leave you feeling ill but also thankful to have experienced someone's passion
for life.
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HAYWARD REMEMBERED
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Last year, ESPN The Magazine's college basketball
editor Sue Hovey went to Charlotte to do a piece on Charles Hayward, who was making a comeback from his first battle with leukemia during his freshman season. Hayward was declared in remission in 1998 and regained 70 pounds, bulking up to 220 on his 6-8 frame.
"It was really upsetting to hear that Charles had died," Hovey said. "I
spent some time with him last August, and the thing that really struck me about him was his inner strength. You could see it when you looked in his eyes. He just had an amazing presence about him. Whether or not he would have been a successful college or pro player -- and I think he would have -- is beside the point. When you talked to Charles, you got the idea he would be
successful no matter what he tried. He was a very focused individual who
prided himself on doing well in school and taking nothing for granted.
"I remember his coaches and teammates telling me that when they went to visit
him in the hospital back when he first got sick, he was the one cheering up
everyone else. I think it's pretty apparent he fought and fought and fought as long as
he could, even at the end when his body just shut down. From what I've been told,
it's almost as though he hung on a few extra days just so all his family and
friends would have a chance to come say goodbye. He really touched a lot of
people these past two years, and I hope that will provide some solace to his
family.
"I'm very grateful that Charles was willing to let me and others tell his
story. But I'm very sad that it ended the way it did."
-- Andy Katz |
Hayward, 21, died after complications arose in July when his body
rejected the bone marrow transplant he received in April from his brother,
Eric.
Hayward played 14 minutes in the season opener, scoring two points,
grabbing four rebounds and blocking two shots. By the fourth game, he was up
to 24 minutes with eight points, seven rebounds and a school freshman record
of six blocks. Ten games into the comeback, the leukemia returned.
"Everyone's initial thought is of the highest-rated recruit and he
deserved that reputation," UNC Charlotte coach Bobby Lutz said. "He had the
potential to be a special player, but as we got to know him over the past few
years, it was evident to us that because of what he went through, he was
the most kind and compassionate person we ever knew. That's what we'll miss.
He made us feel better to be around him. It wasn't fake or contrived."
Lutz said the coaches were always positive after the remission.
"He came back so strong and was running so well last fall," Lutz said.
"It was natural to be optimistic that he had battled through it. It's so
sad, very sad. It's hard to express how sad."
The university has set up a fund to help defray the costs of medical
expenses faced by the Hayward family. Assistance should be directed to The Athletic Foundation, UNC Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, N.C., 28223. Hayward's mother, Janice Harrell, lost her job because she spent so much time in North Carolina with
her son, away from her hometown of Alexandria, La.
"We haven't thought about what we're going to do (about a way for the program to remember Hayward)," Lutz said. "The main thing with our team now is to challenge our
players to carry a part of him with us at all times. We want to carry with us
the way he approached life, with grace and dignity. He had a passion for
living. He gave us a great example of that."
Ladies lend a hand
Brian Merriweather is the top returning scorer in the nation. So, how is
the 23.7-point scorer preparing for this season? With the women's basketball
team at Texas-Pan American. Merriweather has no choice. The school fired the
Broncs' coaching staff led by head coach Delray Brooks. The staff was fired
for allegedly misusing funds, a claim they dispute. While athletics director
Bill Weidner looks for a replacement -- he says he received more than 80
applicants ranging from head to assistant to NBA personnel -- women's
basketball coach Kathy Halligan is directing the men.
"They've done a great job helping out," Weidner says. "We met with the
young men on the team and challenged them that they need to prepare
themselves for this season because when the new coach gets here, we'll have
to hit the ground running. We're committed to having a successful season."
Midnight madness hits Oct. 16 and Weidner hopes to have a coach on campus
by the first practice. Meanwhile, the rest of the issues are being divided
with academic issues being handled by the academic coordinator, compliance
issues by the compliance director and the overall working of the program
being checked on by Weidner.
"We're looking for someone who is a dynamic leader, who has a track
record that's proven and someone who has a fast-break philosophy and up-tempo
style," Weidner said. "We want someone who has demonstrated success in
recruiting quality student athletes and has unquestioned integrity."
Weidner didn't hire Brooks, a former assistant at Kentucky.
The Broncs are an independent in basketball. They're trying to get into the
Southland Conference after being rejected for its membership last year
because it doesn't have football.
"But it's the right fit for us geographically and institution-wise,"
Weidner said of the Texas state school-based league.
Weekly chatter
Commitments are trickling into the Word this week. Only 10 days
remain for home visits before players are off limits off campus until after
the early-signing period. Players can make campus visits from now until the
first few days of November but can't have coaches in their homes from
Sept. 26 to March 16.
Michigan beat out New Mexico, Syracuse and Temple for 6-6 Bernard
Robinson of New Hampton Prep (N.H.). It was a coup for the Wolverines, who
needed a slashing scorer for 2000. Michigan coach Brian Ellerbe developed a
relationship with Robinson when he played for D.C. Assault and Ellerbe
coached at Loyola, Md. It was a blow to the Lobos, who were counting on former
D.C. Assault coach and present New Mexico assistant Troy Weaver to deliver
Robinson.
"He can score and he'll fit in nicely at Michigan where they need a
scorer," said New Hampton coach Jaime Arsenault.
New Mexico picked up a needed post player in 6-9, 256-pound Malcolm
Battle of Okaloosa-Walton JC (Fla.). Plenty of Southeastern and Conference
USA schools were in the hunt.
Blake Stepp, a 6-4 shooting guard from South Eugene (Ore.) High,
committed to Gonzaga over Oregon, Oregon State and Washington.
Minnesota coach Dan Monson can thank new assistant Derrick Thomas,
formerly of Saint Louis, for securing a home visit from East St. Louis'
Darius Miles. He probably won't end up at Minnesota, but he's a recruit worth toying
with in Monson's first Gopher class.
Marquette coach Tom Crean landed his first big-time recruit in 6-10 Scott
Merritt of Wauwatosa East High (Wis.). Merritt signed with the Eagles over
Illinois, Ohio State, Kentucky, Michigan and Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati is expecting freshman DerMarr Johnson to get through
the NCAA Clearinghouse when classes and conditioning start for the Bearcats
next week. Meanwhile, freshman center B.J. Grove will take the test in
October while enrolling as a part-time student. If he doesn't pass it, he'll
redshirt this season with the expectation that he could get
his year back because he would be a partial qualifier.
UTEP coach Jason Rabedeaux retained Luster Goodwin as an
assistant but G. Ray Johnson resigned rather than stay on with Don Haskins'
replacement. Rabedeaux hired away San Jose State assistant Eddie Hill, who
had just signed on to work for Phil Johnson successor Steve Barnes with the
Spartans. Rhode Island, Fordham, Oklahoma and now San Jose State and UTEP are
still filling assistant openings.
SMU guard Stephen Woods was released for light workouts after
missing the first month of conditioning with shin splints.
Alabama filled it schedule with a single game at home against
Weber State and Harold "The Show" Arceneaux. Alabama needed a game after
Rhode Island got out of one with the Tide. Weber State had trouble scheduling
after Arceneaux announced he was returning.
A few complaints have filtered to the Word over the use of the
term "rare," when describing Texas strength coach Todd Wright (Weekly Word,
Sept. 2). It's true there are other schools that employ a basketball-only
strength coach but few are as muscle-specific to a team's style of play as
Wright.
George Washington coach Tom Penders doesn't mind sounding off
about the $50,000 lawsuit filed by former Longhorn and present Kansas forward Luke Axtell. The lawsuit was filed because his grades were released.
"All it is about is trying to muddy my name," Penders said. He said he's
not worried at GW and said it hasn't affected his credibility in the D.C.
area.
Meanwhile, Kilgore (Texas) JC point guard Bernard Barrow, whom Penders
recruited while at Texas, is pencilled in to replace Shawnta Rogers at the
point. Val Brown (Springfield, Va.) and Chris Monroe (Hyattesville, Md.) will
compete for time there, too. Monroe is more of a wing but he can play the
point.
"Bernard will play anywhere," Penders said. "He's only 5-8 (four
inches taller than Rogers) but he's strong and quick."
The Word has learned from Great Alaska Shootout sources that Michigan won't be asked back in the near future after it withdrew via mail last spring. Xavier replaced Michigan in the tournament. The Word was told Connecticut and Villanova may have burned bridges, too, after expressing poor experiences in the frozen tundra during Thanksgiving. Teams can go to the Great Alaska Shootout every four years.
Andy Katz of the Fresno Bee is a regular contributor to ESPN.com. The Weekly Word on college basketball will be updated on Thursdays throughout the offseason.
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