Associated Press
The college football notebook …
CHARLOTTE ó Concerns over funding are coloring the tone of a report on a proposed football program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
A report posted on the university’s Web site suggests the team could play home games at a renovated track complex in the middle of campus. But that raises the specter of the school needing tens of millions of dollars for renovations and other expenses.
The study also suggests that while the school could turn a profit with football, students would have to pay $745 in athletic fees, far more than their counterparts in the UNC system.
The Charlotte Observer reports the findings from Chancellor Phil Dubois will be presented to the board of trustees Thursday. The report doesn’t recommendation for or against football, and Dubois says he isn’t leaning either way. He said an announcement would come by September.
WAKE FOREST
WINSTON-SALEMó Wake Forest’s first two football games will be televised.
The school announced Tuesday that the season opener at Baylor would be Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. and televised by Fox Sports Net. The game has been moved up two days from the original schedule.
The Demon Deacons’ home opener on Sept. 6 will begin at 3:30 p.m. and be shown regionally by ABC and ESPN2.
Wake Forest also has at least one more nationally televised game, on Oct. 9 against Clemson at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN as part of the network’s Thursday night package.
The rest of the starting times will be determined 12 days before the game.
CLEMSONCLEMSON, S.C. ó Clemson fans can start making plans for the Tigers’ early-season football games.
The ACC announced kickoff times Tuesday for the first three of Clemson’s 12 games.
The Tigers will start the year against Alabama at the Georgia Dome on Aug. 30 at 8 p.m. Their first home game will be the following Saturday, Sept. 6, against The Citadel and start at 3:30 p.m.
Clemson opens the ACC season at home against North Carolina State at 12 p.m. on Sept. 13.
Clemson’s game with Alabama will be broadcast nationally by ABC. The Citadel game won’t be on live TV, but have an Internet showing on ESPN 360. The North Carolina State game will be televised by Raycom.
FLORIDAGAINESVILLE, Fla. ó Florida will open the season earlier than usual.
The Gators will host Hawaii at 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 30, about six hours sooner than Florida typically kicks off the season in sweltering summer heat.
The early start also could pose problems for the Warriors, who will have to adjust to what will equate to a 6:30 a.m. kickoff for players and coaches making the 4,700-mile trip.