Jul 9, 2003
Army May March Out Of C-USA
By BRETT McMURPHY
bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com
TAMPA - While Louisville has indicated a desire to speak with the Big East, another Conference USA member is considering leaving the league after the 2004 season.
Army athletic director Rick Greenspan told The Tampa Tribune in ``a week or two,'' his university would decide whether to remain in C-USA past 2004.
An independent from 1890 to 1997, Army joined C-USA as a football-only member in 1998. The Cadets, whose other athletic teams compete in the Patriot League, are 7-27 in five C-USA seasons, winning no more than two league games in a season.
``We won't make any excuses up here,'' Greenspan said. ``If we don't win games, it's something we have to square away.''
Greenspan said Army is considering the move to expand its scheduling options. Locked into eight C-USA games, plus annual contests against Navy and Air Force, Army only has one opening, limiting its non-conference opportunities.
``There are some rivalries we'd like to reinvigorate, like Notre Dame and Boston College,'' Greenspan said.
If Louisville and Army leave C-USA, that would leave the league with nine football schools. However, C-USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said he is ``absolutely committed to fight for this conference.''
Expansion is an option, Banowsky said, but not until the 2005-06 season.
``We will do whatever necessary to preserve and make Conference USA stronger,'' he said.
Banowsky also said if the NCAA changes its rule requiring conferences to have 12 members for a league championship game, C-USA would consider one.
``Absolutely that's a possibility,'' Banowsky said. ``But we would have to look at the way we schedule and make sure we have a balanced schedule in determining division champions.''
Tampa Sports Authority executive director Henry Saavedra has said Raymond James Stadium ``would love to host'' a C-USA title game if it didn't conflict with the Bucs' schedule.
The earliest a C-USA championship game could be held would be 2004, although 2005 is more realistic.
``Charlotte chancellor James Woodward made a very strong statement to his presidential colleagues,'' C-USA consultant Chuck Neinas said. ``Now is the time for Conference USA to do some introspection; analyze what the situation is and see if there's a better way to go about the way we are.''
Banowsky said no other league members other than Louisville have expressed an interest in talking to the Big East. Banowsky and Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese have had several discussions in past weeks and maintain an open line of communication, Banowsky said.
Banowsky also told The Dallas Morning News that SMU could be included in any expansion plans. SMU was considered as an expansion candidate in 1999 by C-USA. AUBURN: Coach Tommy Tuberville is recovering from surgery to correct a pinched nerve in his neck.
Swaid Swaid performed surgery to relieve the pinched nerve Thursday at HealthSouth Medical Center in Birmingham. A news release issued Tuesday afternoon said Tuberville has battled neck pain for 20 years but expects to recover fully. NEBRASKA: Suspended offensive lineman Junior Tagoa'i pleaded no contest to an assault charge for hitting his former girlfriend while she was holding their child.
Tagoa'i, listed as the starting right guard on the Cornhuskers' depth chart following spring practice, entered his plea Monday as he was scheduled to face a jury trial on the third-degree assault charge.
The Hauula, Hawaii, native is set to be sentenced Aug. 15 in Lancaster County Court for the charge, as well as for a second, unrelated conviction for disturbing the peace.
Information from Tribune wires was used in compiling this report.
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