THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 24, 1994 TAG: 9409240365
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
The University of Virginia will end football rivalries with William and Mary and Virginia Military Institute after the 1995 season to clear its future schedules of Division I-AA opponents.
Virginia athletic director Jim Copeland said Friday that the schedules are being amended to provide the Cavaliers increased opportunities for television and bowl games.
Virginia, which plays William and Mary next Saturday, will meet the Tribe for the last time on Sept. 2, 1995. Virginia is paying William and Mary $80,000 to cancel contracted games for the 1996 and 1998 seasons.
Games scheduled for the 2000 and 2001 seasons against VMI have been dropped. Virginia does not have to pay a penalty for cancelling those games because contracts had not been signed.
Copeland said Central Michigan of the Mid-American Conference will replace William and Mary on the 1996 slate.
He said negotiations for the other three dates are in progress. He declined to identify the school, but said it would make for an attractive television game.
Virginia and William and Mary have have met 30 times in football with Virginia holding a 24-5-1 edge.
Virginia is 55-23-3 in its series against VMI, which it last played in 1991.
Copeland, a former William and Mary athletic director, said the decision to drop the two schools was made with regret.
``I know better than most what these games mean to William and Mary and VMI, but I feel this is a decision that must be made in the best interest of the Virginia football program,'' he said.
William and Mary athletic director John Randolph said he understands why U.Va. is dropping the Tribe, but is disappointed.
``We've very disappointed because it's been a great series and has been great for football in the state,'' he said. ``It's been good for both institutions.''
Copeland said the two main factors were (1) the NCAA requirement that a school must have six Division I-A victories to qualify for a bowl game and (2) the recently signed television contract between the ACC and ABC/ESPN.
``We (ACC members) are all trying to make games more attractive for television and this gives us more flexibility,'' Copeland said.
Other ACC schools also are in process of clearing their future schedules of I-AA opponents, also.
While Central Michigan obviously is not a made-for-tv opponent, it will provide the Cavaliers with another opportunity for a I-A victory.
Copeland said Central Michigan will receive a $200,000 guarantee , slightly more than what William and Mary normally received. by CNB