
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 24, 1993                   TAG: 9309240191
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FIGHT RESULTS IN CIAA SUSPENSIONS

A fight at Saturday's Virginia Union-Hampton football game led the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association to issue warnings to 10 players, including two who were suspended for one game. Nine players were ejected after the fight, which occurred in the first half of Hampton's 13-0 victory.

"We have carefully reviewed the game film of the incident," CIAA commissioner Leon Kerry said, "and we feel we have identified all those who were involved. Although we realize that players get caught up in the emotion of the moment during a game, fighting cannot and will not be tolerated in CIAA contests."

In addition to being given warnings, Virginia Union's John Jones and Joshua Pledger were suspended for the Panthers' game Saturday against Morgan State.

The athletic directors of four historically black universities said they are prepared to seek Division I-A football membership if the NCAA reduces scholarships on the I-AA level.

Athletic directors from Jackson State, Southern University, Grambling and Florida A&M discussed their options if one of two proposals to reduce scholarships is passed during the NCAA convention in January.

Blockbuster Entertainment Corp. has formal options to buy a 50-percent share of the Florida Marlins and Florida Panthers. The purchase price would be half of what it cost owner H. Wayne Huizenga to field the expansion teams. Huizenga is also chairman of Blockbuster. The options, made public in federal filings, will be exercised only if Blockbuster builds a planned sports-entertainment complex with a hockey arena and domed baseball stadium. Otherwise the options expire in 1996.

by CNB