Nero Becomes America East’s Caesar: Maine athletics director Patrick Nero will resign his position at the school to become commissioner of the America East Conference. He leaves his Maine post July 23 and will begin commissioner duties Aug. 8. In three years at Maine, Nero has made Maine a complete program for student-athletes. He raised the standards, and the students responded, claiming the school’s first America East Academic Cup. The program also finished second to Boston University in 2004 in the conference’s All-Sports trophy. [6/27/05]