Big East trying to keep Miami

Miami president Donna Shalala said the school will decide by Monday.
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) -- Boston College and Syracuse were ready to bolt the Big East before they were spurned by the Atlantic Coast Conference. Now, the two schools are leading the effort to keep Miami from going to the ACC.
"I hope they will feel that remaining in the Big East Conference is in their best interest," Boston College athletic director Gene DeFilippo said Thursday after Miami put off a decision on whether to switch conferences until next week.
The Big East has made Miami a counteroffer to try to keep the school from leaving the league. Miami president Donna Shalala wouldn't discuss the specifics, but she acknowledged they were part of the reason why the university's trustees didn't vote Thursday on an invitation to join the ACC.
"The Big East has informally sent a proposal, or at least a list of proposals, to us and we feel a responsibility to review them," said Shalala, adding she was not ruling out any possibility.
Deadline
She said a final decision will be announced Monday -- the day Miami must inform Big East officials if they decide to join the ACC or risk doubling a penalty fee for leaving to $2 million.
"These are significant decisions that have long-term implications and we fully appreciate and respect Miami's need to thoroughly evaluate their decision," ACC commissioner John Swofford said in a statement. "We have had conversations with Miami today and will continue to be available to have any further discussions that may be necessary before making their final decision."
The 19-member executive committee of Miami's board of trustees met for more than an hour on Thursday to consider the ACC's invitation before putting off a decision.
"That's exciting that they have not decided anything yet," DeFilippo said.
The Rev. William Leahy, Boston College's president, spoke with Shalala on Wednesday night. "I think she is genuinely torn about what to do," he said.
Final push
Syracuse spokesman Kevin Morrow said his school and Boston College spearheaded the Big East's counterproposals.
"We very much want Miami to stay," Morrow said. "The Big East institutions are making a case to Miami for the Hurricanes to stay in the conference and Syracuse and Boston College are leading this conversation."
Syracuse chancellor Kenneth Shaw and Leahy are expected to have talks with Shalala through the weekend.
Earlier in the expansion process, the Big East had guaranteed Miami $45 million over five years to remain in their conference. The offer remains the same despite the ACC going with a two-school expansion instead of three.
"We think Miami would be an excellent fit for the Atlantic Coast Conference and it is certainly our hope that they will be joining us," Swofford said.
Miami could join the ACC as early as the 2004-05 academic year if it accepts.
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