Offensive Coordinator Matt Cavanaugh will be inducted into the Youngstown Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame tomorrow. You know, I lived in Y-town for 2 years and never heard of this group. I have no idea where they put the plaques.

My first thought was that they had resurrected the “Youngstown Walk of Fame.” Apparently at some in the early 90s they had various “famous” people and athletes from Youngstown on one of the once busy streets. What they had used though was that stuff you see around swimming pools usually looking like feet, to make the starts. So by the time I got there in ’97, most of the stars were ripped or unreadable. I didn’t recognize most of the names I could make out. The only one I knew then was Dave Dravecky. A mediocre starting pitcher in the 80s. Most might remember the clips of his arm breaking while pitching.

The other thing, is just an amusing piece of delusion from a sportswriter for East Carolina. They still like to think they will make the jump to the Big East someday.

There is also speculation that the addition of a 12th game could bring new discussions about expansion of the Big East, a conference now with just eight football schools. Adding a game will bring scheduling opportunities and challenges for those schools.

The new Big East football conference is comprised of Cincinnati, UConn, Louisville,
Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse , South Florida and West Virginia.

The status of the Big East in the Bowl Championship series has become tenuous since the exodus of Miami, Boston College and Virginia Tech. There’s no question the Big East has lost some glitter as a major football conference, in terms of perception.
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Would adding ECU help or hurt in that regard? There is no question that the Pirates’ recent football woes have come at a very bad time. In fact, timing could not be worse.

Looking ahead, however, there is a renewed sense that ECU could be back on track in the near future. At the very least an argument can be made that the commitment is there.

Bringing in national names like Terry Holland and Skip Holtz have raised some eyebrows around the country. This should be helpful if, indeed, the Big East makes a move anytime soon.

Having South Florida move ahead of ECU in this sweepstakes the first time around is still a bitter pill for many Pirate faithful. Perhaps there is another opportunity around the bend. And it could be rushed along a bit by this 12-game schedule.

I realize the pickings are slim for finding more football schools when the Big East splits in about 5 years and the football schools need to pick up some other teams. East Carolina, though, is way down on the list. Memphis, Southern Miss., Marshall, Central Florida are all in front of ECU.