W.Va. judge refuses to stay Big East lawsuit

Published Feb. 1, 2012 12:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

A judge has refused to stay West Virginia University's lawsuit against the Big East while the conference's countersuit plays out in Rhode Island.

Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Russell Clawges says staying the lawsuit until Rhode Island's courts decide the other case won't promote the interests of justice.

In a ruling issued Tuesday, Clawges also denied the Big East's request to dismiss WVU's lawsuit. He had rejected a different dismissal motion in December.

WVU is challenging the Big East's bylaws in a bid to join the Big 12 in time for the 2012 football season.

The Big East is countersuing in Rhode Island. That lawsuit argues that WVU breached its contract with the conference and should remain in the Big East for 27 months, as required by the bylaws.