Georgia Tech Bows Out of Game

The Black Coaches Assn. Classic, postponed Sunday night by heavy rain and severe lightning, might be played Dec. 1 at Virginia Tech. If so, the Hokies will have to face a different opponent.

Georgia Tech said Wednesday that it won’t take part in a makeup game against the No. 11 Hokies.

Athletic Director Dave Braine said the Yellow Jackets only wanted to play a 12th game if it came at the beginning of the season. They had no desire to play Virginia Tech at the end of the regular season, a week after meeting rival Georgia.

“We did not [schedule] the game for money,” Braine said. “We end up losing money, but we’re doing what we think is best for our kids. To bring them in a week early to prepare for this game, then ask them to practice an additional week after the Georgia game, is not fair.”

Bob Minnix, incoming president of the BCA, said, “The Black Coaches Assn. is very disappointed and frustrated by Georgia Tech’s decision. We expected to raise approximately $300,000 from the BCA bowl to help promote our mission of assisting minority coaches and athletic administrators. We expected all parties to act in good faith to reschedule this game for Dec. 1.”

ESPN or ESPN2 will televise a rescheduled game.

*

Vanderbilt suspended All-SEC linebacker Jamie Winborn and starting cornerback Jimmy Williams for the first two games of the season.

The two could face additional penalties from the NCAA for receiving free financial planning advice and help with getting individual lines of credit from a bank.

Athletic Director Todd Turner said a routine check of car registrations on Aug. 14 uncovered a possible NCAA violation. The check revealed two Vanderbilt alumni had guaranteed the credit lines--without the players’ knowledge, according to Turner.

The suspensions come three days after another Vanderbilt player, freshman linebacker Luke Hammond, was critically injured when he fell 100 feet down a dormitory elevator shaft.

*

Gary Crowton, the Chicago Bear offensive coordinator, is the top candidate to succeed retiring LaVell Edwards at Brigham Young, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Philadelphia Eagle Coach Andy Reid said he was also contacted about the job but said he wasn’t interested.