Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 10, 1990 TAG: 9003102379
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: BILOXI, MISS. LENGTH: Medium
In their annual meeting at the Metro basketball tournament, a session some sources predicted could be one of stunning commitments to realignment, the Metro presidents decided to hold their tongues until they see a consultant's study on Metro expansion being prepared by Raycom Sports.
Six of the eight Metro presidents attended the meeting. One of the two absentees was Virginia Tech President James McComas, who was attending to university business in Virginia.
"Some people came here today hoping to have an answer [on realignment or expansion] in 30 days," said Thomas Carpenter, Memphis State's president. "We left knowing it would be at least 60 days, and I'm hoping to have it settled in 90."
Memphis State is among Metro schools that want to play football. The Tigers, Louisville, Tulane and Cincinnati have talked to other schools in major Midwest markets about playing basketball if the Metro doesn't add football.
Virginia Tech, South Carolina and Florida State have been involved in continuing talks on the possible formation of an Eastern Seaboard all-sports conference.
South Carolina athletic director King Dixon told the South Carolina Network on Friday that the Gamecocks will not play football with the league's current membership.
A Metro source said at least two presidents entered Friday's meeting looking for a commitment on the course the league will take. It didn't happen, but it probably will in late May at the Metro spring meeting in Destin, Fla.
The Metro athletic directors and faculty representatives are scheduled to meet in April. "I think a lot of the talk is going to settle down by then, and there will be some conclusions for the presidents to consider in May," a Metro source said.
Another source affiliated with one of the Metro members from the Midwest said the absence of McComas, Tech faculty representative James "Bud" Robertson and the early Friday departure of Tech athletic director Dave Braine for home "doesn't exactly send the message that Tech is really interested in the conference."
Braine, who attended the Metro joint committee meeting for athletic directors and faculty representatives Thursday, has said the Hokies want an affiliation with an all-sports conference that shares all revenue.
The Metro is the only Division I basketball-playing league that does not share NCAA Tournament receipts and network TV money among its members.
Carpenter said he feels Tech and South Carolina are more interested than ever in playing Metro football.
Another Metro source said, "If this group decides it's going to play football, then Florida State is leaving. That might mean West Virginia is in."
The presidents listened to a presentation from Raycom executive vice president Ken Haines, who is putting together the consultants' study on eight football independents that might be considered for Metro membership.
by CNB