Athlete recruiting
FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, the Pac-12 logo is displayed on the field at Sun Devil Stadium during an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State in Tempe, Ariz. As the wealthiest conferences like the Pac-12 lay out plans they hope will protect athletes from contracting and spreading COVID-19, most of the schools in the second-tier of Division I football have given up on trying to play in the fall. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Pac-12 player group 'disappointed' after commissioner call

By Ralph D. Russo 23 hrs ago

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, members of the Miami of Ohio team pose on the field after the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against Central Michigan, in Detroit. The Mid-American Conference on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, became the first league competing at college football’s highest level to cancel its fall season because of COVID-19 concerns. A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press the university president’s voted to not play in the fall and consider a spring season. The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because an official announcement was still being prepared.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
After MAC surrenders to pandemic, will other leagues follow?

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 08, 2020 11:38 AM EDT

Colorado State pauses football after allegations of racism

Aug. 07, 2020 11:17 PM EDT
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Colorado State is pausing all football activities after an investigation started by the president of the university into the program...

FILE - This Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, shows the Pac-12 logo during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State, in Tempe, Ariz. The Pac-12 has set Sept. 26 as the start of its 10-game conference-only football schedule. The Pac-12 announced three weeks ago it would eliminate nonconference games for its 12 member schools. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Next in summer of player empowerment: Pac-12 players unite

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 03, 2020 01:46 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley speaks with his team before the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game against LSU, in Atlanta. Riley already has coached Heisman Trophy winners Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray along with Heisman runner-up Jalen Hurts. Now, he is hoping to build a new tradition at Oklahoma - pulling top quarterbacks to Oklahoma from the high school ranks. Caleb Williams, the No. 1 quarterback in the 247Sports Class of 2021 and ESPN’s No. 1 dual-threat quarterback for that class, has committed to OKlahoma.(AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Oklahoma coach Riley now pulling top QBs from prep ranks

By Cliff Brunt Jul. 10, 2020 02:34 PM EDT

Vanderbilt cuts at least 8 from athletics communications

Jul. 08, 2020 05:20 PM EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vanderbilt has laid off at least two people with six more forced to re-apply for their jobs as the Southeastern Conference's lone...

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher talks with his team as wide receiver Ainias Smith (17) looks on as they play Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. Texas A&M's football program was placed on probation and Fisher given a six-month show cause order by the NCAA on Thursday, July 2, 2020, after the Aggies were found to have violated recruiting and other rules beginning in January 2018. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Texas A&M, Jimbo Fisher handed recruiting penalties by NCAA

Jul. 02, 2020 03:15 PM EDT

Texas Tech again taps SEC for grad transfer in LSU's Monroe

Jun. 29, 2020 05:21 PM EDT
Texas Tech added another graduate transfer from an SEC power Monday by signing former LSU safety Eric Monroe. Monroe joined the Red Raiders...

Football players seek changes before returning to UCLA

By Joe Reedy Jun. 20, 2020 05:38 PM EDT
LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA officials say they feel good regarding answering the concerns raised by football players about returning to campus this week. ...

FILE - In this May 1, 2020, file photo, people ride down an escalator at a shopping mall in Oklahoma City as it reopens from its closure since mid-March due to coronavirus concerns. Many businesses are requiring customers and workers to sign forms saying they won't sue if they catch COVID-19. Businesses are afraid they could face lawsuits even if they follow social distancing and other government guidelines as they reopen across the U.S. after coronavirus shutdowns. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
As athletes return to campus, what are they signing up for?

By Ralph D. Russo Jun. 20, 2020 12:22 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Texas players sing "The Eyes of Texas" after an NCAA college football game against Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas. A group of University of Texas football players and athletes across several sports on Friday, June 12, 2020, urged the school to rename several campus buildings, change the traditional school song and donate a percentage of athletic department revenue to organizations supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson, File)
Texas athletes: Rename buildings, drop 'The Eyes of Texas'

By Jim Vertuno Jun. 12, 2020 05:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 25 2020, file photo, Georgia Tech head coach Josh Pastner calls a play in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State, in Atlanta. In the wake of nationwide protests over police brutality, Georgia Tech wants to make sure its athletes take time to vote in November. The school said Thursday, June 4, 2020, that nine teams will cancel all mandatory activities on the Nov. 3 to recognize the importance of casting a ballot. Pastner said George Floyd’s death has given everyone a chance to evaluate “the way we treat each other as human beings and what we can and should do to back up our words.”(AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Georgia Tech athletes get day off to vote on Election Day

By Paul Newberry Jun. 04, 2020 11:35 AM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU quarterback Joe Burrow throws a pass against Clemson during the second half of the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. No. 1 overall pick Burrow and the rest of the rookie class will begin preparing for their first seasons in the NFL at home instead of at minicamps and team facilities this month. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
AP Top 25 Podcast: Looking for 2020's Burrow or Baylor

By Ralph D. Russo May. 29, 2020 01:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this May 23, 2016, file photo, Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey poses in Birmingham, Ala. There are 130 major college football teams, spread across 41 states and competing in 10 conferences, save for a handful of independents. The goal is to have all those teams start the upcoming season at the same time — whether that's around Labor Day as scheduled or later — and play the same number of games.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
SEC, Big 12 to allow football workouts on campus next month

By Stephen Hawkins And Steve Megargee May. 22, 2020 03:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this March 12, 2020, file photo, John Swofford, commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference, announces the cancellation of NCAA college basketball games at the ACC tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The Power Five conferences spent $350,000 on lobbying in the first three months of 2020, more than they had previously spent in any full year, as part of a coordinated effort to influence Congress on legislation affecting the ability of college athletes to earn endorsement money. “In this particular case, the (Power Five) conferences are working together on this so that there’s less confusion, not more, in terms of the messaging to congressional leaders that helps explain NIL (Names, Images and Likenesses) and what the concerns are, and how it might work,” Swofford told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown, File)
AP Exclusive: Power Five spend big on lobbying Congress

By Ben Nuckols May. 19, 2020 11:52 AM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) plays against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, in Glendale, Ariz. These times amid the coronavirus pandemic have brought an extra level of anxiety for current college players hoping for a stellar season or at least one that will raise their profile with NFL scouts. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Virus has NFL prospects pondering threat of a lost season

By Mitch Stacy May. 18, 2020 01:43 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 1972, file photo, UCLA quarterback Mark Harmon, left, son of former Michigan Heisman Trophy winner Tom Harmon, works out with coach Pepper Rodgers, right, in Los Angeles. Rodgers, a colorful personality who helped Georgia Tech to an unbeaten season as a player in 1952 and went on to coach the Yellow Jackets as well as Kansas, UCLA and in the United States Football League, died Thursday, May 14, 2020, at the age of 88. His alma mater announced his death. A statement from Georgia Tech said Rodgers died in Reston, Va. No cause was given. (AP Photo/GB, File)
Colorful player, coach Pepper Rodgers dies at age 88

By Paul Newberry May. 14, 2020 11:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2019, file photo, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. The coronavirus is preventing prospects from leaving home to visit campuses and is keeping college coaches from traveling to evaluate players across the country. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Virus sparks debate on whether more prospects will stay home

By Steve Megargee May. 12, 2020 02:20 AM EDT

Newly independent UConn signs deal with CBS Sports Network

May. 11, 2020 03:03 PM EDT
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — UConn has agreed to a multi-year television deal that will put most of its home football games on CBS Sports Network, the school announced...

FILE - In this Sunday, May 6, 2018 file photo, the English Premier League trophy is displayed on the pitch prior to the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad stadium in Manchester, England. Steve Parish, the chairman of Crystal Palace, says the Premier League could face years of legal challenges if this season is not completed due to the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, File)
The Latest: UVA president predicts no normal football season

By The Associated Press May. 10, 2020 11:59 AM EDT