This from the Orlando Sentinel:

On whether Boise is still committed to the Big East: “Obviously they made a decision five months ago to join the Big East Conference and nothing has changed. We’re here at the Big East meetings and it’s great to learn a great deal about the conference and its direction.”

On whether Boise has found a home for its other sports: “We continue to explore all options. We have 18 teams in sports; with football that makes 19 sports. We want to make sure we find a good home for all of our sports. We continue to examine all of our options and continue to gather information in this changing landscape.”

On whether BCS automatic-qualification status played into Boise State’s decision to join the Big East: “No, not at all. When the decision was made, that was part of the thought process, that the AQ would go away, so that was not part of the process when we made that decision.”

Here’s the short release from West Virginia.

Rest In Peace, Bill. God Be With You.

DC

A: Thanks for sending Dave – Big 33 no joke. Real deal if you can make it. Great achievement for JH.

A: I’m sorry Dave but what are you basing this question on and what evidence do you have it’s the case? Is it because they haven’t signed 20 for the class of 2013 yet? Thanks

A: I hear ya on the QB thing but you should expect more production from the spot than you’ve seen in recent years. Again just my opinion but I think you’ve got some guys in here that can do some things QBs of the past haven’t been able to do. Of course they’ll have to prove it in games… I would never count a W against a Steve Addazio coached team before it’s played. Master motivator there.

Q: Now that we had spring practice any QB’s stand out in your mind? Ray Martineau, Steubenville, OH

A; Hey Ray you know I love ya but with all due respect I beat the poo poo out of what quarterback looked good and stood out in my mind here quite often throughout the spring. I thought I was pretty consistent in who I thought the leader was, Chandler Whitmer, the junior college transfer from Kansas and his performance in the spring game only secured what I thought. All the spring entries are in the archive section. There you’ll find how I detailed the quarterback situation as best I could through spring practice. Thanks Ray

Q: Hi Dez,  With the Spring Semester now complete, what goes on with the Coaches & Players between now and Camp?  When does Camp open? Tom, Manchester

A: Well Tom I’m sure you know school is out right now. The coaches are in the midst of an “evaluation period” through the end of the month in which they can go out and evaluate the 2013 recruits academically and athletically. The upperclassmen will return at the end of the end of the month to begin taking summer classes and  they’ll work out on their own. The freshmen will report and take classes at the end of the June and then begin working out with the upperclassmen on their own, no coaches, media etc. Camp opens the first week of August I believe on Aug.3 or Aug.4. Thanks

Former players feel free to share your memories of Memorial Stadium. Be glad to post them. Open up the history books  for the youngins

Thanks Mike….

I just read your article on line about Alumni Stadium and Saturday’s event. Thanks for making my day.

I could not make it up from NJ on Saturday because my daughter had a county championship game in Lax.

I was really disappointed I could not make it but they won the LAX game so it was worth it.

I played in the late 70’s / early 80’s with several guys that were up there and it is always a good time when we get together.

I always hear the comparison to the current UConn teams and the UConn  1AA teams and that small stadium etc. Obviously the program is on another level but  I will tell you one thing for sure we had a few guys who could have played anywhere back in the day, Matt Donovan, Dewey Raymond, Reggie Ecleston, Ted Walton,  Sweitzer, Dorsey,  Rostosky,  Ken Miller, Vern Hargraves, Domingos Carlos, Mark Flood, Pete Lamagna, Joe Marcus and Mark Correia. I am sure I missed a few. These were great guys and great teammates. Several of these guys  got a shot at the next level and a couple made it.  And as far as that small stadium goes, some of the best days in my life were spent in that stadium, small in size or not, it was a good place to play.

I will tell you one thing for certain, Sweitzer would have been a starter on this UConn team. That guy could play.

Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

Michael Ludwig

VP MRO and Facilities Services

Corbus LLC

A: I don’t know about wonderful John but thanks. Yeah you know the story was supposed to be about just that and the photos were ore-determined to reflect such but there were so many of the guys that hadn’t seen each other and they were just ripping off memories of their time in Storrs, period. It was much better stuff so I just tried to capture that because there were some great stories being told. Sometimes you can’t stay in script I guess is the short answer John.

A: Upgrading schedule is good move, yes, but there’s not going to be a football stadium built on campus. A brand new one opened in East Hartford just a few years ago. It stinks for the students and the lack of atmosphere they help create but this is a dead issue, long dead, too.,

Well, sort of, and the Florida State bolting rumors quieted down.

They’ve heated back up again in a big way.

Check out this report from Yahoo! Sports’ Dan Wetzel. More importantly, check out the quote FSU Board of Trustee chair Andy Haggard gave to Warchant.com which is included in Wetzel’s piece

A: Assuming you’re talking about the Boise State news? I think until Boise officially says it’s not coming there’s no sense in the fans getting all twisted up about it. In the meantime the Big East needs to do everything it can to ensure Boise doesn’t run out including possibly adding it as an all-sports program. The other thing to consider here is if Boise elects to stay in the MWC could it be guaranteed a bigger TV contract check than it would get as a member of the Big East? I’m saying no but if the answer is yes then thats a whole nother matter. The league is fine for now. As in today.

A: I’m going to assume you’re also talking about the elimination of the AQ status as well and how that plays for your Huskies?

Well first the resignation of Marinatto means nothing. I think it was obvious his football acumen wasn’t very well respected based on raids during his watch on top of raids he first saw happen in 2003 while working at the BE . Its too bad too because John Marinatto is a good man, a very good man. It just seemed like the job got too big for him real fast. Anyway, yes his replacement better have a football first mentality because that’s the reality. College football drives the bus in college sports. I know some Big East basketball heads hate to hear that so I apologize for waking up that crowd but these ridiculously high TV contracts we’re seeing are based on a conference’s football ability first, not basketball exciting as it is, especially in March. Yes, March Madness. Well, Football is March Madness every week in some of the conferences. The only people who don’t know that are the ones not paying attention, some intentionally. Anyway, back on topic, I think UConn needs to upgrade its schedule to look more like it will next year (Michigan , Maryland) in terms of out of conference games. It will be a huge jump and adjustment but if you’re talking about being a player and getting in the conversation you have to play them now. It’s as simple as that. I’m not looking to ding anybody but the UMass’, Buffalos of the world just aren’t going to help. Those slots need to be filled with bigger games. And UConn would need to win those games obviously. I think with the facilities upgrade/makeover on campus, along with where the school stands academically a big Frosh class coming in, I wonder if officials think they’ll be more attractive to a Big Ten or ACC? What if FSU and another team leaves the ACC? Does it get UConn? I think so but there’s no clear answer today but those are some of my thoughts my friend – thanks have a good one.

Stewart said he is transferring to UConn but now the grades and paperwork and credit stuff comes into play. Can be tricky sometimes when transferring. And…sometimes…not.

Will keep you posted

DC

According to our good friend Brett McMurphy over at CBSSports.com John Marinatto, only the third Big East commissioner in conference history behind Dave Gavitt and Mike Tranghese, has resigned today.

As we know the conference has been anything but stable the past couple of years. Marinatto had been the boss since the summer of 2009. The conference is losing two of its pillars, Syracuse and Pittsburgh, to the ACC. Many connected to the league or have followed it were and still are broken by those moves that many also believe could have been prevented had the league been more proactive when conference realignment was headlining the sports conversation.

DC

What’s goin on?

I trust you all saw my tweets this morning about Graham Stewart, the Florida reserve linebacker and former Xavier-Middletown star told me by phone he was transferring to UConn. Stewart was in South Carolina when we spoke.

A quick refresher on Stewart: stud linebacker at Xavier who allowed us here a first-hand, inside look at how he was handling the recruiting process; had UConn at the top of his list but committed Boston College. When an offer opened up at Florida, the school he really liked the most at the time, that was it. He played in 12 games for the Gators on special teams and picked up a blocked punt and raced it in for a touchdown in the Gator Bowl.

“Man, you know what? I’m so excited and happy. This is the most excited and happy I’ve been in awhile,” Stewart said when asked about coming back home to play.

Stewart said his decision is final, no one else is getting involved. He is scheduled to visit UConn, unofficially, next week to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts on this but there shouldn’t be any reason why the transfer won’t go through.

The issue issue is whether Stewart will be able to get a hardship waiver to play this season which he wants to do.

You see, Stewart decided to leave Florida after one season for personal reasons, he said, required he be close to home. He reiterated that Saturday (Stewart is all about his family so him transferring to be closer to them isn’t really a surprise).

Now, to be clear, these hardship waivers are awfully hard to get – but not impossible.

From the good deeds department Florida coach Will Muschamp, looking out for the kid, has already written a letter to the NCAA on his behalf. Now Stewart is going to have write to the governing body of college athletics also – and UConn will have to write one as well to help Stewart’s cause.

“I’m hoping, keeping my fingers crossed,” Stewart said.

In the event the waiver doesn’t happen it’s still a win-win for Stewart. He’ll be at home and be a redshirt sophomore when he is eligible in 2013.

Allright let’s hear from Graham.

On leaving Florida:

“Actually it’s something that’s out of my hands. It’s something back home I need to take care of and be there for my family, help them out a little bit more, so I mean I just need to be closer to home,” Stewart said. “It would solve a lot of problems. I was having a great time down there, was doing really well but some things are more important sometimes and you have to re-evaluate what you’re really doing somewhere.”

Everybody at home ok?

“Yeah everybody’s allright. Everybody goes through their little struggles but they’re allright. You know, I missed them. It was hard for them to come to a lot of stuff [at Florida]. I know it was hard on them…”

Were you happy at UF?

“No,” Stewart said flatly. “It wasn’t about playing time or anything. I think just being homesick and stuff like that. I’m a patient guy so it wasn’t about playing time. I had some stuff having to deal with my family that made me feel like being up there would be best; to be closer and help out with things that were going on..”

On what it will mean to be playing college ball at home:

“It feels great to be back home where I’ll be able to have my parents at games, see them afterward, going out to eat with them. It just feels good, you know?”

DC

;

;

A: I’m aware of it MG and I have reached out to Graham and as of this morning he tells me he is transferring to UConn. He needs to be closer to home and pretty much for that reason wasn’t happy at Florida.

Kicker Dave Teggart. safety Harris Agbor and tight end Corey Manning receive honors from the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame’s Hampshire Honor Society.

The full release from the school…

STORRS, Conn. (May 3, 2012) – University of Connecticut football graduating seniors Harris Agbor (Mesquite, Texas), Corey Manning (Tyrone, Ga.) and Dave Teggart (Northborough, Mass.) have been named to the 2012 National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame’s (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society.

The society is comprised of college football players from all divisions of play who maintained a cumulative 3.2 GPA or better throughout their college career. A total of 721 players from 232 schools qualified for membership in the society’s sixth year, making this year’s class as the largest since the program’s creation in 2007.

Agbor was a four-year performer for the Huskies at defensive back and on special teams. He made 13 starts during his career, including five in 2011. He appeared in 38 career games and all 13 as a senior. Agbor had 53 career tackles with 26 in 2011. Agbor graduated as a finance major in the School of Business.

Teggart was the most successful kicker in the history of the UConn football program as he is the school career leader in field goals (74), extra points (128) and points (349). Teggart was a First Team All-BIG EAST and All-ECAC selection in both his junior and senior years. Following his senior year, he took part in the NFL Combine and played in the Players All-Star Classic, Teggart graduated with a degree in social science of sport major.

Manning was a tight end at UConn and played in 33 games over his collegiate career. He graduated with a degree in health care management.

Got some Penn State coaches including the new head football coach stopping in state for a visit – an announced visit, too, next Thursday…check it out

** MEDIA PLANNING TO ATTEND A PENN STATE COACHES CARAVAN EVENT OR MEDIA AVAILABILITY ARE ASKED TO PLEASE CONTACT SANDY WATSON (szw6@psu.edu or 814-865-1088) FROM PENN STATE ATHLETICS WITH YOUR AFFILIATION AND THE EVENT(S) YOU PLAN TO ATTEND.
PLEASE CONTACT JEFF NELSON WITH ANY QUESTIONS. HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

MEDIA AVAILABILITIES FOR COACHES CARAVAN WEEK 2 – May 8-10

(Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Woodbridge, N.J.; New York City, Hartford, Scranton)

Wednesday, May 9, media 11:00-11:30 am, Hilton Woodbridge, 120 Wood Ave, South Iselin, N.J. Luncheon begins at 11:30 am

**Media availability in Room 208, 2nd Floor

Coaches available: Bill O’Brien (Football), Coquese Washington (Lady Lion Basketball), Greg Nye (Men’s Golf)

Wednesday, May 9, media 4:30-5:00 pm, Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers, 811 7th Avenue 53rd Street, New York, NY.

Reception begins at 6:00 pm; Program begins at 7:00 pm

**Media availability in Central Park East

Coaches available: Bill O’Brien (Football), Coquese Washington (Lady Lion Basketball), Russ Rose (Women’s Volleyball), Greg Nye (Men’s Golf)

Thursday, May 10, media 11:00-11:30 am, Farmington Marriott, 15 Farm Springs Road, Farmington, Conn. Lunch begins at 11:30 am

**Media availability in Massachusetts/Rhode Island Room

Coaches available: Bill O’Brien (Football) and Greg Nye (Men’s Golf)

Thursday, May 10, media 4:30-5:00 pm, Genetti Manor, 1505 N. Main Avenue,

Dickson City, Pa. Reception begins at 6:00 pm; Program begins at 7:00 pm

** Media availability – Room TBA

Coaches available: Bill O’Brien (Football) and Greg Nye (Men’s Golf)

Q: Any news on Dave Teggart?  Sound like anyone who would be picked up in free agency from Uconn has signed on, Eric, Ohio.

A: Yes, he’ll be getting an opportunity in mini-camp with the Chicago Bears.

Q: Des, I love your work, I check every day even in the off-season. My question involves UMass.  The first game this year is aginst UMass at the Rent. I believe that this year UMass has technically made the move from the FCS to the FBS, though I don’t think they are officially in the MAC until next year. Does this mean that UConn is playing 12 FBS teams this year compared to 11 FBS and 1 FCS team? Usually for power rankings and so on the FCS teams are usually excluded or discounted in the rankings. In the end it probably would only make a small difference one way or the other unless UConn loses, but in your opinion is this good, bad or indifferent for the Huskies? Is there a return game next year at Gillette, UMass new home away from home? – Rick, North Easton, MA

A: The UMass game will count as an FBS. It really doesn’t matter if it was FCS because it would have been the only such game on the schedule so it would have counted. You can schedule an FCS count it toward your record for bowl purposes. You can schedule two but only one result will be recognized.  No,  there’s no return game scheduled for next year as of right now. Thanks.

Q: Hey Dez, You posted my question on season ticket numbers a month or so ago and I was on the fence about renewing. Renewed our 3 seats last week, I’d miss it too much! Stay good! Steve K, Plantsville.

A: Good deal.

Q: Des, Do you know of any updates on the status of Marcus Easley? When he was shut down last year, there seemed to be hope that this could be fixed and that he could return to the field at some point. Is that still possible? If so, how soon? Thanks! – Tim, Lebanon

A: Hey Tim. Yeah, from everything I’m hearing and read from up there the young man is a go right now. Man I hope so cuz I’m a Bills fan. They could use his help, especially on deep balls.