Big East Conference school presidents voted Monday night to double the exit fee for football members to $10 million, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the conference did not plan to make any announcements.
Big East commissioner John Marinatto has a teleconference scheduled with reporters today.
The Big East is hoping the move will lead to adding six new schools to the conference, including Air Force and Boise State as football-only members.
The exit fee will remain $5 million for the league’s eight nonfootball members, the person said.
Increasing the exit fee is a way to signal to potential new members the Big East will be stable long term.
Chadron State AD back as coach
CHADRON, Neb. — Chadron State athletic director Brad Smith is returning as football coach for the rest of the season, taking over for Bill O’Boyle, who remains employed. School president Janie Park said O’Boyle has been relieved of his coaching duties so he can prepare for an investigation into possible NCAA rules violations.
• Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said senior defensive tackle Jared Crick had successful surgery for a chest injury and that his future in the NFL isn’t in jeopardy.
• Florida State junior defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel is out for the rest of the season with a broken leg and dislocated ankle.
• Mississippi coach Houston Nutt confirmed defensive end Wayne Dorsey (fractured right arm) and cornerback Marcus Temple (broken right ankle) suffered season-ending injuries Saturday against Alabama and that wide receiver Melvin Harris has been dismissed from the team for unspecified reasons.
• Pittsburgh coach Todd Graham said the Panthers will stick with junior quarterback Tino Sunseri heading into their Big East game against Connecticut.
• East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill said starting guard Adhem Elsawi and center Doug Polochak, are out with knee injuries and wide receiver Justin Jones (wrist) will miss a second straight game.
• Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray had a metal plate inserted into his right hand to help the healing process for his broken thumb.
• North Carolina dismissed starting linebacker Ebele Okakpu from the team for improper conduct.
Footnotes.
Bernard Hopkins said he will not retire because of an injured shoulder and a controversial call that cost him his WBC light heavyweight boxing championship. Hopkins lost the bout to Chad Dawson in bizarre fashion Saturday night. Referee Pat Russell ruled “no foul” when Dawson dumped Hopkins to the canvas.
• New York Knicks center Ronny Turiaf will play for French club Asvel during the NBA lockout, joining San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker.
• The struggling United Football League is cutting its season short, moving up its championship game to Friday night. The Virginia Destroyers will host the Las Vegas Locos in the UFL title game.
The Associated Press
