Sports briefs for August 10, 2004

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004 | 9:37 a.m.

Big Sky Conference considers expansion

The Big Sky Conference could expand with one to three schools, or none at all.

Members of the league's Presidents Council, meeting Monday in Salt Lake City, discussed developing a set of expansion criteria and formalizing an expansion process.

The Presidents Council moved to proceed by first accepting official letters of interest from schools desiring membership.

Institutions that become possible expansion candidates will then be evaluated using a set of criteria approved by the Presidents Council.

Some of the established criteria will include academic quality, athletic competitiveness, commitment to gender equity, commitment to student-athlete success and geography with regards to cost of travel and travel time.

No list of potential expansion targets was announced.

Following the evaluation period a committee will be put together to visit the campuses of expansion candidates in the spring.

The traveling committee will be comprised of at least one president, one athletic director and one faculty athletic representative from the Big Sky along with Big Sky Commissioner Doug Fullerton.

A final decision regarding expansion is expected to come late next spring.

Rison faces arrest

A judge in Decatur, Ga., ordered the arrest of former star receiver Andre Rison for failing to pay $107,350 in child support. Rison hasn't paid his $3,500-a-month child-support payment for his 16- and 18-year-old children since August 2002, the order said.

Button rebuffed

Formula One driver Jenson Button's plan to switch to the Williams racing team next season was argued by his current employer, BAR racing, which says it has a valid contract for his services in 2005.

Shug enters Hall

Trainer Shug McGaughey, jockey Kent Desormeaux and 1998 Horse of the Year Skip Away were inducted into thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame at Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Phillies get help

Trying to bolster a rotation depleted by injuries, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired starting pitcher Cory Lidle from the Cincinnati Reds for two minor leaguers and a player to be named.