LSC Roundup 6-25

Four schools involved in MIAA expansion talks
Joplin Globe
Jim Henry

Expansion talk has surfaced again in the MIAA, and membership could rise to 16 teams.

During the NCAA Division II presidents meeting last week in Indianapolis, MIAA presidents met and — by an 8-3 vote with one abstention — decided to pursue expanding the league to 16 teams. Current membership is 12 teams with Lincoln’s return this year, but Lincoln won’t play a conference football schedule until 2012.

Published reports in Oklahoma City say Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla., and Central Oklahoma in Edmond are leaving the Lone Star Conference to join the MIAA. The exits could occur as soon as the 2011-12 school year because they have to give the conference a year’s notice before they can leave.

Central Oklahoma athletics director Joe Muller issued a statement to the Web site lscscoop.com on Wednesday about the school sending a letter of interest to the MIAA.

“The University of Central Oklahoma has submitted a letter of interest to the commissioner of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association in an effort to learn more about the conference and its member institutions,” the statement read.

“The dialogue that will occur over the next few weeks will give UCO and the MIAA opportunity to determine what is in the best interest of both parties moving forward. Given the shifts in conference alignment in the NCAA recently, it’s important that we continue to explore opportunities which are best for UCO both academically and athletically.”

Lindenwood University in St. Charles and Nebraska-Kearney are the other two schools in expansion talks. Should Nebraska-Kearney join the league, that would leave Wayne State (Neb.) as the only former Central States Intercollegiate Conference member not in the MIAA.

Three ASU tracksters struggle at USA meet
San Angelo Standard Times


 It was a tough day Thursday at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for three Angelo State University athletes.  Andria Nussey, Celethia Byrd and James Howell all failed to qualify past the preliminary round in their three events.  Nussey ran a 2:07.82 in the 800 to take 24th place, Byrd clocked a 53.96 in the 400 to finish in 17th, and Howell ran a 46.83 to take 23rd in the 400. The top 16 times qualified for the semifinals.

Aisha Adams and Chrystal Ruiz will begin the heptathlon today with the high jump at 9:45 a.m. Adams will also compete in the 400 hurdles at 5:30 p.m.


Eldridge Small
From Fred Nuesch - TAMK
We received word this morning at Eldridge Small has suffered a heart attack and is in a Houston hospital. Eldridge is one of the all-time best wide receivers in the Lone Star Conference and played with the Javelinas in 1968-71. He was a first-round draft choice of the New York Giants. Please keep Eldridge and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

TAMC Athletic Director Named to D2 Athletic Director's Association Executive Board of Directors
At the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics meeting in Anaheim, California, Texas A&M University-Commerce athletic director Carlton Cooper was named to the Division II Athletic
Director's Association Executive Board of Directors for a four-year term.

The Board of Directors is made up of 22 NCAA Division II athletic directors representing each conference and the 282 NCAA Division II member institutions. The selection of Cooper marks the first time in the program’s history that A&M-Commerce has been represented on the executive board.

The purpose of the Division II Athletic Director's Association is that the corporation has been organized is to explore mutual problems and opportunities encountered by colleges and universities that participate in NCAA Division II athletics programs, to facilitate the administration of college and university athletics, and to promote and elevate the standards of athletic administration.

Some Tarleton State news:
Baseball still going on for many Texan players
Texans add guard 
TexAnns softball inks transfer

Goings on at Commerce:
A&M-Commerce Women's Basketball Camp for June 25-26 Has Been Cancelled
Enhancements to Memorial Stadium Begin

Off-Topic
Wimbledon's Marathon - Isner wins 70-68 in the fifth set
World Cup - How is Team USA handling its quick turnaround before facing Ghana?
NBA draft 2010: Winners and Losers
Ranger's win streak now at 11