Bell rings for latest round of Leavitt vs. USF

Posted Jun 9, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jun 9, 2010 at 06:05 AM

The Jim Leavitt vs. USF legal battle returns to the courtroom this morning.

Click here for a short preview story I wrote for today’s Tampa Tribune.

This morning’s hearing is interesting mostly from a legal perspective considering Leavitt’s attorney, Wil Florin, is seeking to make materials USF gathered during its four-week investigation that led to Leavitt’s firing public record.

USF doesn’t want those records released. Sound familiar?

In Florida State’s recent lawsuit vs. the NCAA, the university wanted the NCAA to make all materials related to its investigation into FSU’s academic cheating scandal public record. The NCAA opposed. However, last month the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear the NCAA’s appeal related to the case.

According to the Associated Press, “the justices did not explain their unanimous decision, but a trial judge and lower appellate court earlier ruled the files were covered by Florida’s public records, or ‘sunshine,’ law because the university is a public institution.’’

“If the NCAA hadn’t interfered with FSU’s ability to control and release public records in the state of Florida, the NCAA probably wouldn’t have been a party to the lawsuit,” media lawyer Carol Jean LoCicero told the AP. “They stepped in and frustrated our (public records) act. That got them where they are today.”

Check back in later today to find what came out of today’s hearing.

In other USF sports news from Tuesday:

—-Three USF players were selected on the second day of the MLB draft: OF/LHP Stephen Hunt (15th round, Reds), LHP Andrew Barbosa (15th round, Giants) and RHP Randy Fontanez (23rd round, Reds).

Four USF signees were also selected: OF Kyle Waldrop (12th round, Reds), LHP Kyle Ryan (12th round, Tigers), OF Ozney Guillen (22nd round, White Sox) and LHP Nick Gonzalez (Phillies, 30th round).

The final day of the draft is today. Click here to follow live starting at noon.

Check back later for more news and analysis once the MLB draft concludes.