THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 17, 1996 TAG: 9610170530
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 62 lines
James Madison athletic director Don Lemish calls it mere ``coffee shop'' talk.
Perhaps. But there's no doubt that talk of realignment among the state's Division I-AA schools has been a hot topic lately.
Several of the state's athletic directors met recently and batted around some ideas, most of which have been in circulation for years.
One proposal has VMI joining JMU, William & Mary and Richmond in an eight-team conference that would play under the Colonial Athletic Association banner. Other members would be The Citadel, Furman, Delaware and Villanova.
JMU, William & Mary, Richmond, Delaware and Villanova currently play in the football-only Yankee Conference, which will disband after this season. The Yankee teams will be absorbed by the Atlantic 10 conference. The move is being made because single-sport conferences like the Yankee won't have voting representation under the NCAA's new restructuring plan.
VMI, The Citadel and Furman play in the Southern Conference, which is looking to expand from nine to 12 teams as soon as possible.
One problem with the proposal, Lemish said, is that the Atlantic 10 has asked its new members for a commitment through 2000.
``I sent ours back the day they asked,'' he said.
Another is that the Southern Conference is protective of its members. After reports of the possible realignment appeared last week, the Southern Conference athletic directors held a conference call and then issued a statement saying VMI, The Citadel and Furman aren't interested in leaving the conference.
Any realignment is probably years away, but Lemish said it makes for interesting talk.
``There's a lot of `what-ifs','' Lemish said. ``Nothing concrete.''
Another `what-if' has VMI joining the Atlantic 10 when, as expected, the University of Connecticut moves to Division I-A shortly.
``I would very much like to have a formal relationship with VMI,'' Lemish said. ``They're a well-established I-AA program that's missing from the Virginia mix.''
What Lemish and other state ADs would like most is to have one conference for all sports. JMU, William & Mary and Richmond are in the Colonial for all sports except football.
Richmond AD Chuck Boone said a single conference would be ideal. But he's not holding his breath.
``We've been talking about that for 10 years,'' Boone said. ``We might talk about it for ten more.''
HAMPTON CONNECTION: After JMU linebacker Tony Jordan finished talking to the media following Saturday's 26-21 win over William & Mary, he passed teammate Macey Brooks, who was making his way to the podium.
``Don't forget to tell `em where you're from,'' Jordan said.
Both are from Kecoughtan High in Hampton, and that made the win over nearby William & Mary - in which Brooks caught seven passes and Jordan returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown - that much sweeter.
``William & Mary glossed over us when it was time to recruit,'' Jordan said. ``I take it personally when we play them.''
SHARPER HONORED: The Tribe's Darren Sharper was named the national defensive player of the week for his performance against JMU. Sharper had 19 tackles, two interceptions - including one returned 88 yards for a touchdown - and two pass deflections. by CNB