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News Nuggets, 10.29.03
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Runners to pound pavement for LeClair

An East Carolina baseball icon will be the beneficiary when a Greenville running and triathlon club sponsors a pair of competitions on Saturday, Nov. 1.

On that day, East Carolina Road Racing will stage the Third Annual East Carolina Road Race 10K and a one-mile run/walk, with proceeds from the events benefiting ECU Athletic Hall of Famer Keith LeClair.

Both events are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. The races start on Cromwell drive, beside Food Lion off Red Banks Road. Registration for the events is located at end of Lynndale Court and opens at 7 a.m. Entry forms are available online at www.ecrr.us/ECRR10K/2003/ECRR0.htm.

LeClair was baseball coach of the Pirates for five seasons from 1998 to 2002 and compiled a record of 212-96-1. His ECU teams reached the NCAA Tournament the last four of those seasons, including three times as a No. 1 regional seed. In 2002, ECU qualified as Conference USA champions.

LeClair resigned his duties following the 2002 season as a result of declining physical health associated with Lou Gehrig's disease.

For more information on the events, read this release from ECUPirates.com or contact Kip Sloan at (252) 355-3180.

Senate hearing pits Cowen against BCS

Tulane University President Scott Cowen is one of several witnesses who will testify before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focusing on the financial and competitive disadvantages imposed upon Division I-A schools without ties to the Bowl Championship Series.

The hearing, 'BCS or Bust: Competitive and Economic Effects of the Bowl Championship Series On and Off the Field,' will be conducted today (Oct. 29) at 10 a.m. in Room 226 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) will preside at the hearing.

NCCA President Myles Brand, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman, Football Bowl Association Chairman Keith Tribble and former BYU Head Football Coach LaVell Edwards will also testify.

Cowen, who is spearheading a challenge to the BCS by the leaders of 44 universities that are not part of the cartel, testified before the House Judiciary Committee on Sept. 4. He was part of a panel that included football great Steve Young, NCAA President Myles Brand and Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany.

Losman among Unitas Award finalists

Seven senior quarterbacks, including Tulane’s J.P. Losman, have been selected as finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback by the Frank Camp Chapter of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.

The finalists for the award include Losman, Eli Manning (Mississippi), John Navarre (Michigan), Philip Rivers (North Carolina State), Matt Schaub (Virginia) B.J. Symons (Texas Tech) and Jason White (Oklahoma).

The nation's top senior quarterback is selected for the award from a list compiled by a select committee of football experts from across the United States. The 2003 recipient will be announced Dec. 4, with the award presentation to be made in Louisville on December 12 at the Galt House East Hotel Grand Ballroom.

Punishment looms for riotous WVU students

MORGANTOWN — West Virginia University will discipline at least 40 students who took part in the mayhem following the Mountaineers' upset of then-No. 3 Virginia Tech, school officials said Tuesday.

After the victory on Oct. 22, students poured onto Mountaineer Field and tried to tear down the goal posts but were turned back by police who used pepper spray and force to clear the field.

Within minutes, fires were set in the streets. More than 100 were reported, but authorities said most were doused within minutes. No major injuries or property destruction occurred.

School officials said the 40 students include 14 freshmen, six sophomores, nine juniors, seven seniors and four graduate students. They were identified with the help of city, state and university police, as well as firefighters and other sources.

Some students are also facing charges filed by the city's police and fire departments. The offenses include disorderly conduct, public intoxication and illegal burning.

School officials will notify each student in writing and arrange individual meetings. Sanctions will depend on the student's level of involvement and any past brushes with the law. Punishments could range from a warning to expulsion.

News Nuggets are compiled periodically from staff, ECU, Conference USA and its member schools, and from Associated Press and other reports. Copyright 2003 Bonesville.net and other publishers. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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