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News Nuggets, 02.18.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Cowen's group sets session with BCS big-wigs

The Coalition for Athletics Reform will meet with the Presidential Oversight Committee of the BCS on Sunday, Feb. 29 in Miami, according to a statement released by the Coalition.

The meeting will take place at the Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel in New Orleans starting in the early afternoon and is expected to last several hours. New approaches to post-season play in Division I-A football will be discussed.

Representing the Coalition will be Scott S. Cowen, president of Tulane University; Kermit Hall, president of Utah State University; Stephen Weber, president of San Diego State University; John Welty, president of Fresno State University; John Peters, president of Northern Illinois University; and Gerald Turner, president of Southern Methodist University.

"After our joint meeting on Nov. 16 in New Orleans, the presidents from both groups agreed to hire consultants to explore various more equitable approaches to post-season play in Division I-A football. We agreed to return in 90 days to share our findings and that is the purpose of the meeting," says Cowen.

A news conference is tentatively scheduled for 6 p.m. following the presidents' meeting, noted the statement.

The meeting is the third in a series that began Sept. 8 in Chicago when the Coalition presidents first met with their BCS counterparts.

TCU preps for ECU with shocker over Cards

FORT WORTH — Corey Santee scored 20 points and Texas Christian gave coach Neil Dougherty his first win over a ranked team, a nationally-televised (ESPN2) 71-46 victory over struggling No. 10 Louisville on Tuesday night.

The Horned Frogs (10-12, 6-5 Conference USA) led throughout after Santee made a 3-pointer on the game's opening shot, and really didn't have to work too hard because of Louisville's poor shooting.

The Cardinals (17-5, 7-4), with their lowest-scoring output under third-year coach Rick Pitino, lost for the fourth time in five games since a 16-game winning streak.

TCU's last win over a ranked team was 102-88 over No. 20 Fresno State two years ago at when Billy Tubbs was still the coach. That game was also played on the Frogs' home court.

TCU had since gone 0-9 against Top 25 teams under Dougherty, a former assistant to Roy Williams at Kansas. The Frogs were outscored by an average margin of 27 points in their other three games this season against ranked teams: Kansas, Vanderbilt and Cincinnati.

Louisville shot a season-low 29 percent (14-of-49) and didn't have a player score in double figures. Larry O'Bannon's nine points were the team high. Even after shooting just 33 percent (11-of-33) in the first half, TCU led 33-18. The Cardinals shot just 5-of-27 (19 percent) in their lowest-scoring half of the season.

TCU students celebrated the win by rushing the court, though it was a somewhat controlled scene with them streaming from only a couple of areas and meeting at center court.

There was plenty to celebrate. With its 10th win, TCU surpassed last year's total. And there are still five regular season games and the C-USA tournament to play. The first of those remaining contests will come Saturday when the Frogs visit East Carolina.

Ailing Spoonhour steps down at UNLV

LAS VEGAS — UNLV coach Charlie Spoonhour resigned Tuesday, citing health reasons.

"I am physically unable to do this right now," Spoonhour, 64, said in a statement. "Because of my health it is in my best interest to step away. It has nothing to do with basketball or anything surrounding the program."

He was unavailable for interviews and gave no other details. The Runnin' Rebels (12-9) have lost three straight games, including a 94-60 rout at Missouri on Sunday.

Jay Spoonhour, an assistant on his father's staff at UNLV for the past three seasons, will serve as the interim head coach starting with Tuesday night's home game against San Diego State. A search for a new head coach will begin immediately, athletic department officials said.

Spoonhour is the second coach to resign for health reasons in the last month. On Jan. 28, Rick Majerus took a leave of absence at Utah, citing heart problems. He later said he would not return to Utah.

Spoonhour, who was hired March 29, 2001, leaves UNLV with a 54-31 record. He led the team to NIT appearances in 2002 and 2003.

Spoonhour ended a two-year retirement to become UNLV's 12th head coach. He was head coach at Saint Louis from 1992-1999 and coached Southwest Missouri State from 1983-1992. In 19 years as a Division I head coach, he compiled a career record of 373-202. His teams made it to the postseason 13 times, including eight trips to the NCAA tournament.

UNLV athletic director Mike Hamrick said Spoonhour leaves a solid program behind him. "He added a lot of stability to the program the last three years and we wish him nothing but the best in the future and hope he can take care of these health issues quickly," Hamrick said.

Switzer stars at Thorpe Banquet

OKLAHOMA CITY — The night was meant to recognize college football's top defensive back, but the honoree shared the spotlight with a tribute to former Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer.

Last week's Jim Thorpe Awards Banquet recognized Derrick Strait, who started in 53 games for Oklahoma, more than anyone else in the team's history. Strait, who was introduced by present OU coach Bob Stoops, thanked various people for the honor, including Switzer for helping establish the school's rich sports heritage.

But he saved his biggest thanks for his mother, Brenda. "I'm a strong person," Strait said to her. "Thanks for being strong for our family."

Terence Newman, a Dallas Cowboys cornerback who won the 2002 Jim Thorpe Award, helped present awards, including Football Writers Association of America All-American honors to Strait and 2003 teammates Jason White, Mark Clayton and Antonio Perkins.

Former OU athletic director Donnie Duncan agreed to present Switzer the Lifetime Achievement Award, skipping out on his 42nd wedding anniversary Monday night.

Sally Duncan jokingly told her husband, "You love Barry more than me.

"Yes," said Donnie Duncan, "but I love you more than Billy (Tubbs)."

Duncan, now the Big 12 associate commissioner, spoke of the impact Switzer made on people. "He made an impression. He went into homes that had no hope and gave them hope. He lifted people," Duncan said.

At Duncan's request, two of Switzer's three children, Doug and Kathy, joined 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims on stage. Switzer spoke of love of his players, joy at beating Texas then and now, and how Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Tulsa had successful football seasons.

Gov. Brad Henry also presented the members of the 2003 Oklahoman All-State team their awards.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2004 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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