Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 29, 1990                   TAG: 9006280138
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTE, N.C.                                LENGTH: Medium

METRO PICTURE COULD CLEAR UP

The Metro gathered at a Charlotte hotel for a quick afternoon business meeting, then, after cocktails and dinner, met with athletic representatives of eight schools the league is considering in its expansion talks.

"By [today], we'll have a much better feel for where we're headed," Metro Commissioner Ralph McFillen said.

"When we're done [today], I think we'll be much, much closer to knowing where we'll be," said Dave Braine, Virginia Tech's athletic director.

The Metro brought in the eight visitors - West Virginia, Miami, Temple, Rutgers, Syracuse, Pitt, Boston College and East Carolina - to receive additional information from a consultant's study by Charlotte-based Raycom Sports & Entertainment.

Raycom executive vice president Ken Haines and his assistant, Chuck Steedman, presented the numbers on television and marketing potential for an expanded Metro behind closed doors on Wednesday night.

Raycom started its work on the $25,000 study in March. At the Metro spring meetings in Destin, Fla., last month, the Metro postponed further action on expansion until Raycom compiled more figures.

After the 16 schools met Wednesday night, the Metro athletic directors and McFillen met again to discuss their options. The larger group was to gather again this morning for another two or three hours of discussion.

Asked whether the Metro would know who remains interested and who isn't after today's session, Braine said, "When we leave here, we hope we have that feeling one way or another."

The Metro's hopes to expand have been slowed by talks by the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast conferences. Both of those leagues are said to be intrigued by Metro member Florida State.

"I don't think there's any doubt that Florida State is the one school this all hinges on," said one non-Metro administrator at the meeting. "I still can't see the three Big East schools [Syracuse, Pitt and Boston College] playing basketball with this group, either."

Miami has also been mentioned as a possible SEC or ACC addition. Miami athletic director Sam Jankovich has said he is not interested in affiliating with the Metro.

This meeting is the second gathering of the 16 schools. They met 3 1/2 weeks ago at the College Football Association meetings in Dallas.

McFillen said no expansion announcement will be made today, although he conceded the Metro will ask each visitor whether it likes the Metro proposals still on the table.

What is expected today is the revelation of what options on expansion the Metro is considering, and perhaps whether any non-conference schools have told the Metro they no longer want to be considered for addition to the Atlanta-based league.

Meanwhile, in Tuesday's Charlotte Observer, Virginia Tech was one of five schools mentioned in connection with expansion talks involving the Sun Belt Conference.

Braine said he considered the report little more than rumor.