In the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States, the Big East Conference has suspended league competition in all sports through Sunday, September 16. Included in the postponement are six football games involving Big East teams:

Big East Commissioner Michael Tranghese made the announcement after consulting with the league’s athletic directors and Executive Committee. He also spoke with Dr. Francis Lawrence, the President of Rutgers University and chair of the Big East Presidents.

"Our football athletic directors voted unanimously to postpone Saturday’s games," said Tranghese. "In memory of the victims and their families, our football teams will wear American flags on the back of their helmets for the rest of the season." 

"The overwhelming feeling throughout our institutions is that we must move on with our lives and terrorist actions will not stop us from doing that," said Tranghese. "But the suspension of league competition through the weekend allows us an appropriate period of reflection and mourning." 

Participation in non-conference competition in each sport will be left to the discretion of each institution. Big East competition will resume Monday. 

SEC to Play, but the PAC-10 Won't

According to a Tuesday press release on the PAC-10's official web site, the PAC-10 will not play this weekend, either.

"In light of the tragic events which occurred in our nation today, it would be inappropriate to continue our scheduled Conference competitions," said PAC-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen. "The safety and welfare of our student-athletes is our first priority, along with the safety of our fans. We will continue to monitor national events and directives of the federal government. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the immense tragedy that unfolded today."

The Southeastern Conference (SEC), on the other hand, will move forward with Saturday's games, according to AP wire reports.

SEC officials said in a statement Wednesday the conference also will donate $1 million from weekend receipts to help victims of the attacks. There will be a pre-game ceremony honoring the victims at each venue.

"The members of the Southeastern Conference mourn the tragic loss of lives, bodily injury and condemn the acts of destruction which occurred yesterday in this nation,'' the statement said. "Each of our institutions has been personally touched by these events.'' 

The games, however, "present a meaningful opportunity to bring our people together in a common expression of sympathy and mourning,'' the statement said. 

Tech Cancels JV Game

Virginia Tech's JV football game against Fork Union Military Academy, originally scheduled for this Friday at 2:00 pm, is postponed.

Suggs Scheduled for Surgery Friday

In other news released by Virginia Tech on Wednesday, injured running back Lee Suggs will have his knee operated on this Friday. Suggs is expected to be on crutches for several days but will begin rehabilitation Saturday.

"We're going to go in and repair the ACL and evaluate the medial meniscus to determine what to do with it," head athletic trainer Mike Goforth told hokiesportsinfo.com. "Our two main goals for post-operation are pain control and swelling control."

The surgery is expected to last about an hour. If all goes well, Goforth said he expects Suggs to be "around 90 percent for Spring ball and at or near 100 percent for fall practice."

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