Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 25, 1994 TAG: 9402250232
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The governing boards at Texas and Texas Tech were expected to take similar action at meetings scheduled for today, moving the SWC, at least in its present form, another step closer to extinction.
"We are proud to have been asked and enthusiastic about joining a conference with these eight great universities," E. Dean Gage, A&M's interim president, said. "This new alignment not only offers new opportunities for all 12 universities in men's and women's intercollegiate athletics, but further establishes an even closer relationship in the areas of teaching, research and public service."
There was little discussion Thursday involving the seven regents who participated in a telephone conference call at a special board meeting. A quick vote was taken with no one dissenting.
Baylor's decision to quit came Wednesday, days after the Big Eight made its proposal wooing the four so-called "haves" of the SWC. The offer excluded Houston, Rice, Southern Methodist and Texas Christian, who have been dubbed the league's "have nots."
In other college sports news:
Southeastern Conference football isn't just sport in Birmingham, it's a way of life. That's why the SEC's decision to move its title game to Atlanta drew such an immediate, bitter reaction.
For a city that bills itself as the "Football Capital of the South," losing its marquee event two years into a five-year contract was more than just maddening. It was embarrassing.
The decision brought back memories of the parade of minor-league teams that have tried and failed in Alabama's largest city, which has existed in the shadow of the larger, more cosmopolitan Atlanta for decades.
Caller after caller railed against the conference on Birmingham's talk radio programs, where SEC football is the favorite topic 12 months a year.
"Our calls overwhelmingly were in the nature of shock and animosity that this had happened," radio personality Bob Lochamy said Thursday. "I think until we know how and why this happened, this is embarrassing."
Maine admitted to more NCAA compliance violations and suspended its athletic director for a week without pay.
Athletic director Michael Ploszek held a news conference to announce that ineligible players had competed on five Maine teams, including the defending national championship ice hockey team. The players, all graduate students not carrying enough credit hours to compete, also played on the football, cross country, field hockey and indoor track teams.
The University of Richmond will hold the 1995 and 1996 NCAA Division I men's soccer final four, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported.
The newspaper said Richmond edged Davidson, which has held the event the past two years, and Maryland. The Times-Dispatch said Richmond submitted the winning bid of $177,500. Maryland was at $192,000, and Davidson, which also will hold the 1994 event, offered $155,000.
Davidson drew sellout crowds of 8,500 two years ago and 10,000-plus this past year after adding more seats. Richmond plans to hold the event at its 22,000-seat stadium.
by CNB