ECU assistant resigns over possible NCAA violations

NCAA Football Betting Lines

07/27/2010 - Greenville, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - East Carolina assistant football coach Mark Nelson announced his resignation Tuesday after possible NCAA violations were uncovered regarding the illegal observation of voluntary summer workouts.

Nelson served as the Pirates' defensive ends coach and special teams coordinator.

A statement issued by the school said Nelson and first-year head coach Ruffin McNeill agreed to Nelson's decision.

"I notified Coach McNeill late this afternoon that our compliance office had been investigating concerns about violations of NCAA rules involving out-of- season practice - specifically a coach evaluating players during normal summer activities that were supposed to be strictly voluntary," ECU athletics director Terry Holland said. "When a coach observes these normal activities, the NCAA considers the activities to be non-sanctioned out-of-season practice.

"Coach McNeill called the coach in and they discussed these possible violations. That coach, Mark Nelson, admitted to violations which are likely to be secondary violations when a formal report is filed with the NCAA. Coach Nelson and Coach McNeill agreed that these violations would be a distraction to the team at this critical time of the year and Coach Nelson offered to step down from his position. His offer to step down was accepted by Coach McNeill pending negotiation of a severance agreement with the athletic administration and the university."

Nelson also served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League during the 2009 season.

"This is certainly an unfortunate development, but integrity will be the foundation of our program," McNeill said. "We are going to comply with the spirit and letter of NCAA rules at East Carolina. I expect my players to do the right thing, and as leaders, and I demand my coaches to do the same. As head football coach, failure to comply with NCAA rules will not be tolerated."

Gemcasino NCAA Football Betting News

<< Phillies use long ball vs. D'Backs to stay hot
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ryan Howard finished 2-for-4 with a two- run homer, three RBI and two runs scored as Philadelphia rallied past Arizona, 9-5, in the opener of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. Cody Ransom and

<< Tomlin wins in major league debut for Indians
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Josh Tomlin pitched into the eighth inning in his major league debut and bested former Indians ace CC Sabathia in a 4-1 Indians win against the Yankees. Tomlin was recalled from Triple-A Columbus Tues

<< White Sox rout Mariners, Floyd strong again in victory
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Alexei Ramirez, Paul Konerko and Andruw Jones each homered, and Gavin Floyd threw seven scoreless frames for Chicago en route to an 11-0 annihilation of Seattle in the second meeting of a four-game series.

<< Mets return home, rock Wainwright and Cards
Flushing, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jeff Francoeur and Jose Reyes each homered as the New York Mets made a successful return to Citi Field by roughing up Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals, 8-2, in the opener of a three-game series. The Mets

<< Shields follows Garza's no-hit gem with strong outing
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - One night after Matt Garza pitched the first no-hitter in Tampa Bay franchise history, the Rays used a solid outing from starter James Shields and a timely RBI double by Matt Joyce to defeat the Detroit

Myers' CG, six-run seventh gets Astros past Cubs >>
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brett Myers went the distance and Lance Berkman's grand slam capped a six-run seventh inning as Houston downed Chicago, 6-1, in the second of three between the clubs at Minute Maid Park. Hunter

Lee fans 13, Cruz hits game-winning HR in 10th as Rangers down A's >>
Arlington, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cliff Lee set a career high with 13 strikeouts over nine brilliant innings and Nelson Cruz belted a two-run, game- winning home run in the bottom of the 10th, as the Texas Rangers edged the Oakland

Memphis rookie Vasquez has ankle surgery >>
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Greivis Vasquez underwent surgery on his right ankle Tuesday to remove a bone spur. Vasquez, who starred at the University of Maryland, had the procedure performed in B

Haren likely to make next start after X-rays come back clean >>
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Haren is expected to start on Saturday when the Angels take on the American League West-leading Rangers after X-rays of his right forearm came back clean on Tuesday. Haren, acquired by Los Angeles

Pirates extend Rockies' slide in series opener >>
Denver, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Neil Walker finished 3-for-4 with a solo home run as Pittsburgh continued Colorado's second-half slide with a 4-2 victory at Coors Field. Zach Duke (5-9) started the three-game set with six solid innings,

El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

Additional baseball lines and World Series odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.