THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010395
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
Miami won't learn its fate with the NCAA until today, but Virginia Tech athletic director Dave Braine on Thursday said the Hokies are headed to either the Orange or Sugar bowl.
``I know basically Miami is going to drop out as of (Friday),'' Braine said. ``All the rest of the bowls have been calling me and saying `Congratulations,' so evidently somebody knows something.
``We feel we're going to be going to either the Orange or Sugar bowls. Nobody is saying it officially, but unofficially it is definite.''
The NCAA Committee on Infractions will announce its decision on the Miami case at 1 p.m. today in a conference call with committee chairman David Swank.
A school usually is notified one day in advance of Committee on Infractions findings. But because the final phases of the Miami case were handled rapidly, the Hurricanes have not been informed.
Bowl announcements are scheduled for Sunday. Without sanctions the Orange and Sugar bowls would have a choice between Big East co-champions Virginia Tech and Miami under terms of the Bowl Alliance.
Miami, which has made 12 consecutive bowl trips, has said it will accept bowl sanctions immediately if they are levied.
``Nobody knows what's going to happen,'' Big East commissioner Michael Tranghese said Thursday. ``Miami does not know what its penalty is, and will not know until a couple of hours before the press conference.''
At a Nov. 10 hearing, Miami admitted guilt to six of 10 NCAA allegations.
Three allegations involve a Pell Grant scandal that led to a federal investigation and the conviction of former university academic adviser Tony Russell. He admitted falsifying the financial aid applications of 91 students, including 85 athletes.
The NCAA, which began its investigation four years ago, alleges a lack of institutional control made the financial fraud possible. That allegation usually carries a heavy penalty.
The Hurricanes have sought to serve their sanctions as soon as possible so that they could deal with facts rather than speculation while recruiting. Also, the Hurricanes have just a handful of seniors this year.
Miami officials declined comment Thursday.
There have been reports that the Carquest Bowl provided an indication of Miami's fate by cutting a deal to take a Southeastern Conference team in place of the Big East's third team. The Big East would not have three bowl eligible teams if Miami is unavailable.
Tranghese said the Carquest's deal with the Southeastern is only a contingency and has not been finalized pending Miami's fate.
For Tech, this could all be poetic justice.
The Hokies have a better overall record and higher national ranking than the Hurricanes, and beat them Sept. 23. But with no tiebreaker, Bowl Alliance members could take whichever Big East co-champion they choose.
``Whether they go on sanctions or not, we're the team that ought to be going,'' Tech coach Frank Beamer said Thursday.
Under terms of the Big East revenue sharing agreement, Tech will earn a $3.5 million payday with a trip to the Orange or Sugar bowls, who along with the Fiesta will announce their pairings at 5:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
The Big East team that goes to the Gator Bowl will receive $1.5 million.
In addition, all eight Big East teams receive a $486,000 share of bowl revenue.
``It's the biggest payday Virginia Tech has ever had,'' Braine said. ``It helps us in recruiting, it helps us in fund-raising and it gives us the national exposure we need.
``And, hopefully, it will help us get in the Big East in all sports. Obviously that's down the road a bit, but this has to help.''
What if Miami receives no sanctions and goes to the Bowl Alliance?
``Someone would probably have to look out for me for a while,'' Braine said.
``I'm never sure of anything, I've learned. But to say I'm very optimistic of the Orange or Sugar bowl would be correct.'' MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Frank Beamer...
by CNB