Conference USA commish recuses himself

The Commissioner of Conference USA is a member of the NCAA Committee on Infractions. Obviously, he would have a conflict hearing the case against Memphis, a member of Conference USA.

So Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky has recused himself from the hearing.

The Committee on Infractions consists of 11 members. A hearing must have a quorum of four members to proceed. The 11 include three attorneys who are not affiliated with a school or the NCAA, one athletic director (Paul Dee of Miami) and one other commissioner (Dennis Thomas of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).

It’s 11 a.m. and those participating in the hearing are taking another break. Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson seemed in a good mood. He went out of his way to introduce himself to members of the media he did not know.

Then again, it was noted that Johnson is typically upbeat and friendly.