ESPN.com's Myron Medcalf reported several influential individuals and groups "have asked Pac-12 officials to consider a version of the NFL's Rooney Rule that would, potentially, diversify candidate pools for future job openings." Civil rights advocate Sam Sachs said that he has "talked to prominent organizations about expanding" an Oregon statute requiring public universities in the state to interview a minority candidate for all head-coaching vacancies "throughout the Pac-12 and beyond via the passage of state laws or NCAA/conference policies." Oregon and Oregon State are currently "subjected to the provision under state law." Sachs said that the "ultimate goal is to create a Rooney Rule" across college sports. Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott in July said that he would "back a Rooney Rule in collegiate athletics." Medcalf noted among all FBS schools, only "11 football coaches are black" (ESPN.com, 9/1).
ONE FOR ALL: In Birmingham, Natalie Williams noted the SEC has announced it will "continue a league-wide initiative focused on improving the fan experience at home games for all 14 of its schools." The conference last season became the "first major conference to provide in-stadium replays for fans, while officials are still reviewing a play." Concessions, connectivity and restrooms "remain three of the highest areas of concern in SEC stadiums, based on research that the SEC Fan Experience Working Group conducted after" the '14 season. Meanwhile, LSU on Monday announced that rock band OneRepublic will "provide halftime entertainment for the LSU-Florida game at Tiger Stadium this fall." The school added that "'a second world-renowned act' will soon be announced as halftime entertainment for a different SEC home game" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 9/1).
NOT MY CALL: In Des Moines, Randy Peterson noted Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany in '13 mandated that the conference's football "must wean themselves from FCS opponents," but that is "not happening in the Big 12." Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said, "I'm not going to say who teams can play. That's for the athletics directors and presidents. ... I trust that the schools will continue getting representative competition." Peterson wrote Big 12 football schedules "are hard enough without someone who rarely even steps on a campus trying to make it harder" (DES MOINES REGISTER, 9/1).
MAC ATTACK: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps notes the "MACtion" slogan for the Mid-American Conference "now has a microsite -- getsomemaction.com" -- designed by Philadelphia-based 160over90. MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said that it took a "year of work," but the slogan now has a "clear identity." Kleps notes there is a 60-second PSA "emphasizing that 'MACtion speaks louder than words,' stories on notable alumni who have achieved success away from the fields and courts, and a 'MACTALK Generator' that produces memes, along with opportunities for smack talk between rival schools" (CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS, 8/31 issue).
