Conferences: Northeastern University will join the Colonial Athletic Association beginning July 1, 2006. The addition of Northeastern brings CAA membership total to 12 and gives the conference a geographic footprint that stretches from Boston to Atlanta. "Northeastern has increasingly expanded its recruiting arm and admission efforts beyond Massachusetts and New England into the Mid-Atlantic region, so it's critical that our teams are represented in that part of the country," said Northeastern Director of Athletics Dave O'Brien. "Furthermore, CAA member schools cover a wide geographic footprint in the East that will expose our teams to thousands more alumni, fans and potential students." The Huskies also represent the sixth Division I-AA football team in the conference, satisfying NCAA conference requirements for potential sponsorship. Founded in 1985, the CAA includes the University of Delaware; Drexel University; George Mason University; Hofstra University; James Madison University; the University of North Carolina, Wilmington; Old Dominion University; Towson University; Virginia Commonwealth University; and the College of William and Mary. Last month, Georgia State University, a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, announced that it also would join the CAA in 2006.

Facilities: Mercer University opened a new University Center, an athletics facility that houses offices for the athletics department, locker rooms for all teams, a state-of-the-art weight room and sports medicine area. The Center also is home to a 3,200-seat arena that serves as the home court for the men's and women's basketball teams and the volleyball program. The facility also houses "Heritage Hall," which celebrates historic athletics and academic achievements at Mercer, and the student recreation center, complete with three intramural courts, indoor track and weight room ... The University of Denver broke ground on its $6 million Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium July 9. The stadium, thought to be the only stadium in the nation used solely for lacrosse, will be the home of the Denver Pioneers and provide a showcase for Colorado lacrosse, the fastest growing sport in the state. The new stadium, named for the late Peter Barton, the former president and chief executive of cable television company Liberty Media Corp., is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2005 collegiate lacrosse season. The stadium will feature stone walls with pre-cast concrete bench seating, locker rooms for men and women, public restrooms, concession area, viewing pavilion/conference room and a two-direction press box that also will serve the soccer field to the south. Laura Barton, Peter Barton's widow, committed $2.75 million to the stadium. Other pledges have brought the total raised to $5 million, and a campaign to raise the remaining funds is under way.

Miscellaneous: The Southeast Missouri State University board of regents has voted to change the university's athletics nickname to the Redhawks beginning in spring 2005. The school's athletics teams currently are called the Indians. Director of Athletics Don Kaverman told the board that 70 percent of high-school and collegiate teams with American Indian nicknames have changed their name in the last few years. Several institutions in the NCAA, including the University of Iowa, have indicated they will no longer compete against teams with Indian nicknames. "It is in the best long-term interests of our athletics program and the university," he said. "We need to re-engage our students in our athletics program. I think this can be a very positive change for this university." Glinda Ladd Seabaugh, president of the American Indian Center of the Heartland, said, "Most Native Americans don't feel honored by the (Indians) name. It's a mockery. Most Indian people feel it's time for a change." The "Indians" nickname for athletics teams evolved at Southeast Missouri State Teachers College in 1922. The use of Indian mascots at Southeast Missouri State was discontinued in the mid-1980s after many American Indian groups throughout the nation expressed displeasure at the depiction of caricatures of Native American individuals and culture at athletics events. Since that time, while retaining the "Indian" and "Otahkian" nicknames, the university experimented for brief periods with costumed mascots not related specifically to the team nicknames. But for the past decade, Southeast Missouri State athletics teams have not been supported by any mascot. Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State, appointed an ad hoc committee in February to study the issue and make recommendations ... The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, men's basketball program delivered three checks June 29 totaling $36,000 to the Interfaith Council Homeless Shelter, the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill and the school's Student Aid Fund. The money was raised through the sale of about 650 basketballs, autographed by Tar Heel players and coaches during the 2003-04 season. "This is a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to give back in a way that makes a direct impact on many people's lives," said head coach Roy Williams. "We get so many autograph requests throughout the year that I limit our players' signing to just these basketballs. But the real benefit is to help students and citizens less fortunate than us." The money for the student aid fund goes to needy North Carolina residents who attend the university. The basketball team selects the local charities on an annual basis. The team delivered food to and spent time with the Interfaith Council and Ronald McDonald House last Thanksgiving. "We were impressed by our visits during the holiday and believe we could make a positive impact," said Williams. "It's always a highlight of each season."

-- Compiled by Gary T. Brown