E-mail hints that Texas in Big Ten's expansion plans
An e-mail sent by the president of Ohio State to the Big Ten's commissioner hints that the conference is pursuing Texas as part of its expansion plans.
An e-mail sent by the president of Ohio State to the Big Ten's commissioner hints that the conference is pursuing Texas as part of its expansion plans.
Ohio State president Gordon Gee told Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany in an April 20 e-mail that Gee had spoken with University of Texas president Bill Powers. In the e-mail obtained by the Associated Press, Gee writes that Powers would welcome a call to say they have a "Tech" problem.
It's not clear what that means, but Texas Tech is one of Texas' Big 12 rivals.
In another e-mail, Gee told Delany the conference controls its own destiny, but must move swiftly. The e-mails were first reported by the Columbus Dispatch.
Ohio State said yesterday it would not comment beyond what was in the e-mails, and said Gee was out of state and not available.
Nebraska and Missouri triggered talk of a Big 12 breakup by indicating they would be interested in talking to the expansion-minded Big Ten. On Thursday, a blog report went through the Big 12 meetings in Kansas City that the Pac-10 planned to invite six Big 12 schools and create two eight-team divisions.
Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn later said he thought the report was valid.
The Big Ten is considering adding to its current 11 members, a move that could lead to the expansion or demise of other leagues.
In other college news:
* The 12 Southeastern Conference schools will divvy up a league-record $209 million in revenue, a nearly 58 percent increase from the previous year.
* Florida International sophomore Garrett Wittels extended his hitting streak to 55 games with a sixth-inning double, but the Panthers fell to Texas A & M, 17-3, in the NCAA regional in Coral Gables, Fla. He is within three of Robin Ventura's Division I record set 23 years ago . . . In other NCAA regional games, Texas routed Rider, 11-0, in Austin, Texas . . . Coastal Carolina beat Stony Brook, 6-0, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. . . . Clemson routed Southern Mississippi, 10-1, in Auburn, Ala. . . . The Citadel beat Virginia Tech, 7-2, in Columbia, S.C. . . . Arkansas routed Grambling State, 19-7, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Pro Basketball
* Danny Ferry, who disagreed with management's decision to fire Cleveland coach Mike Brown 2 weeks ago, resigned as general manager after five seasons.
* The New Orleans Hornets began contract talks with Monty Williams about their head-coaching job, the Associated Press reported.
Philly File
* Fran Crippen won the men's 10-kilometer title at the U.S. national open water swimming championships in Long Beach, Calif. Andrew Gemmell, of Wilmington, Del., was third.
* Gloria Miller, widow of Vince Miller, the former Frankford High basketball coach, onetime 76ers scout and close friend of legendary NBA star Wilt Chamberlain, is planning a tribute to her late husband on June 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. at "How Ya Wannit" barbershop, 1630 Margaret St. Miller died in February 2009 at age 71.
Sport Stops
* Todd Bodine won the NASCAR Trucks Series at Texas Motor Speedway.
* Ivory Coast player Didier Drogba (broken arm) and Italy's Andrea Pirlo (calf) were hurt in friendlies this week and could miss the World Cup.
* Calvin Borel rode Gray Hart's Girl to a 7 3/4-length victory at Churchill Downs, his 1,000th career win at the track.
* Asafa Powell ran a wind-aided 9.72 seconds to win the 100 meters at the Diamond League's first European meet in Oslo, Norway.
* Lance Armstrong remained third overall in the Tour of Luxembourg after Frank Schleck won the second leg of the 5-day race. *