News Nuggets, 08.10.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Big East's question: To split or not to split?

Will the Big East's football and non-football programs continue their marriage of convenience or will they go their separate ways?

According to varying reports, a preliminary decision by the parties on that fundamental question could come could come as early as next month or as late as next January.

Representatives from Big East schools met this past week with commissioner Mike Tranghese to discuss the conference's future makeup.

In a statement, Tranghese said it "was another exploratory discussion" and that no decisions on the Big East's future structure were reached. More meetings are expected, the commissioner said.

The Big East is examining a possible realignment, because the league's two football linchpins — Miami and Virginia Tech — will move to the Athletic Coast Conference in 2004-05, leaving the Big East with only six football-playing schools.

'Negotiations' might be a better word than 'discussions' to describe the substance of recent meetings on the topic among Big East officials. Financial matters involving television contracts and NCAA basketball tournament money are among the core issues being deliberated.

Options under consideration include one in which the football schools — Boston College, UConn, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and West Virginia — would depart and form a new league by inviting schools from other conferences to join them. The new league could ask as few as two and as many as six other schools to join them.

Another alternative being pondered would have the football schools remain in the conference, and expand the overall federation to as many as 16 teams, including at least two new football-playing programs.

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 in Newark, N.J., said league spokesman John Paquette.

Mrs. Bower (and husband) to conduct clinic

HATTIESBURG — Ever wonder what goes on in a huddle? Or, what it means to decline a penalty? Can you identify an A gap? Or, do you know the difference between a one-back or two-back set?

These are just a few of the many questions that will be answered at the Southern Miss Football Clinic, X’s and O’s for Women. This clinic, designed especially for Southern Miss women, will cover all aspects of the gridiron and provide interesting insights into the upcoming football season.

Debbie Bower, who is in charge of the Aug. 21 event, will be joined by head coach and hubby Jeff Bower, offensive coordinator Rip Scherer, defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix and recruiting coordinator Jay Johnson. Clinic presentations also will be given by academic coordinator Tracy Robinson, and equipment manager Patrick Stewart.

Registration is $20 per individual. Due to space constraints, the clinic is limited to first 130 women to register. Registration can be expedited by calling Leigh Ann Warner in the Athletic Foundation at 601/266-5712 or by e-mailing LA.Warner@usm.edu.

Frogs safety felled by knee injury

An injury to sophomore strong safety Ken Lewis put a damper on Texas Christian's preseason camp this week. Lewis suffered the injury during one-on-one drills on Friday.

"It's a knee injury and it doesn't look good," said Horned Frogs head coach Gary Patterson. "Flander Malone will have to step up at that position, along with Brandon Williams. We may have to move Kenny Boyd to strong safety as well."

Lewis, a six-foot, 199-pounder from South Garland, TX, was one of three true freshmen to play for TCU in 2002. He was expected to be a key contributor in the Frogs' "nickel" and "dime" packages this fall, along with having special teams responsibilities.

Incoming freshman Freddie Stoglin had his academic paperwork finalized and became one of 105 players participating in the practice sessions.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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