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News Nuggets, 09.17.04
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Compiled from staff reports and electronic dispatches

Storm refugees invited to FSU-UAB game on the house

TALLAHASSEE — Football fans chased from their homes by Hurricane Ivan are invited to attend No. 8 Florida State's home opener against Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday free of charge.

Schools officials said Thursday evacuees would be admitted on a first-come basis.

"We believe that we can accommodate everyone and also offer the entertainment value of a college football game as a possible diversion from the hardship evacuees are dealing with," Florida State President T.K. Wetherell said.

Additionally, evacuees unable to find a hotel room can find shelter and food at Tully Gym and other campus locations if necessary.

"We will work with hotels and motels to accommodate every evacuee who wants a room," said Mike Bristol, president of the Tallahassee Convention and Visitors Bureau. "There will be plenty of shelters for anyone who can't afford a room."

The school said many seats and hotel rooms became available when out-of-town ticket-holders canceled reservations, most likely over the uncertainty caused by Ivan.

Coaches ditch plan for 5th year of eligibility

OVERLAND PARK, KS — The National Association of Basketball Coaches on Thursday dropped a proposal that would have allowed men's college basketball players five seasons of NCAA eligibility.

"Although the committee still believes that such a proposal offers a viable solution to furthering its goal to increase graduation rates in the sport of men's basketball," a statement from the NABC read in part, "it recognizes that there are some potential unintended consequences that warrant additional consideration."

The NABC's Special Committee on Recruiting and Access said it would continue to review the proposal in the coming year.

NCAA athletes are generally allowed four seasons of competition, barring exemptions such as medical redshirts.

The NCAA Management Council had agreed to advance a package of proposals from the NABC that focused on recruiting, retaining and graduating Division I basketball players.

In addition to the five years of eligibility, the package included allowing coaches to talk with players outside the traditional player-coach environment and to hold tryouts to evaluate prospects.

The package was to be examined by member schools, with an initial vote expected in January 2005 and a final vote in April.

CSU cracks down on alcohol in wake of death

FORT COLLINS, CO — Following the death of a female student and two off-campus riots, Colorado State University officials on Thursday said alcohol sales for most of its football stadium would be suspended until at least Feb. 1.

University President Larry Penley halted the sales at Hughes Stadium until a task force examining alcohol issues among students releases its report, expected early next year. Alcohol will still be served in premium club-level seats.

"While there are no simple solutions to this issue here or anywhere in the country, we are sincere in our desire to address the issue of substance abuse head on," Penley said.

The suspension comes as the stadium's food and beverage contractor won approval for this season to sell wine, hard liquor and beer with alcohol percentages over 3.2 percent.

A 19-year-old student was found dead at a fraternity house Sept. 5. Police suspect drinking contributed to her death, though an official cause of death is pending.

Afterward, leaders of the Greek system adopted rules barring alcohol from sorority and fraternity houses and some parties. Police Wednesday cited 19 men and women for providing alcohol to minors.

Two weeks earlier, off-campus parties erupted in mayhem on two consecutive nights. Rioters overturned cars, uprooted signs and threw eggs, rocks and bottles. Six people were arrested; the university expelled seven students.

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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