Air Force Academy grad Ben Garland talks to reporters Sunday after minicamp workouts in Denver. (US Presswire photo by Ron Chenoy)
A few service academy-related football notes to start off your week:
1. Praise from high places: We promised you updates on Air Force 2nd Lt. Ben Garland’s quest for an NFL job with the Denver Broncos, so we pass this along from Frank Schwab at The (Colorado Springs, Colo.) Gazette. Denver head coach John Fox offered some short remarks on Garland’s stellar work ethic during a post-rookie workout news conference late last week. Judging from the picture in that first link, the Air Force Academy grad’s strength and conditioning won’t be an issue.
2. Conference calamity: Speaking of early outs, they’re not just for academy grads anymore — the University of Pittsburgh is suing the Big East to escape the league a year earlier than planned. Pitt wants to join the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013 instead of 2014. According to The Associated Press, Pitt will argue that it shouldn’t have to adhere to the league’s 27-month waiting period before shifting conferences because the Big East recently allowed West Virginia to bolt for the Big 12 without a wait. Syracuse is slated to leave for the ACC with Pitt in 2014; the results of Pitt’s case — a school spokesman told AP the goal still was to settle the matter out of court — could alter the Orange’s plans.
Also, CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy, who has been breaking all kinds of news on the changing college conference landscape, reports that Boise State hasn’t pulled the trigger on its departure from the Mountain West Conference — something it must do by the end of next month to join the Big East as a football-only member as planned in 2013. Instead of explaining the move away, a school spokesman simply told McMurphy: “We are actively monitoring the changing landscape in college athletics and remain committed to making the best long-term decisions for Boise State.” Navy will enter the Big East as a football-only member in 2015.
3. Documentary deluge. Did you miss “Army Spring Football Mission: Fort Benning,” a documentary on CBS Sports Network that traces the Black Knights on the road to their historic spring game? Well, get the DVR ready or just find CBSSN on your local cable provider; the documentary is in heavy rotation. When you can catch it this week (all times Eastern, per the CBSSN website): Monday at 4 p.m.; Tuesday at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Wednesday at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; and Thursday at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
