Lauren Silberman has scant chance at making the NFL.

Silberman never kicked anything more than a soccer ball in an organized game and she just started practicing long-range field goals.

Even so, the first female kicker scheduled to try out at an NFL regional scouting combine would like to see where her new hobby will take her. In an era where Danica Patrick can contend against men in motor sports, Silberman is about to take a big kick forward for female athletes, even if the odds are clearly stacked against her. The 28-year-old Silberman will kick Sunday at the New York Jets' training facility in Florham Park, N.J.

“I am working hard to prepare but I am also realistic about my chances,” she wrote in an email. “I hope my willingness to put myself out there inspires others to seize opportunities and challenges. The support from around the world has been so heartening.”

NEW YORK — The breakup of the Big East's football and basketball schools appears to be on the fast track.The major college football members will meet in Atlanta on Friday to discuss the departure of the seven basketball schools that are planning to leave the conference and create a new league.According to media reports Thursday, the basketball schools plan to have their new conference up and running for the 2013-14 school year and will pay the football schools to keep the Big East name and play its conference tournament at Madison Square Garden in New York.Big East Commissioner Mike Aresco told the AP in a phone interview no deal has been completed between the two groups, but “some of this stuff is clearly coming down to the wire.”

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — With one great shot, Camilo Villegas turned a solid round into his lowest start in more than a year.Villegas drilled a 3-wood to 8 feet on the par-5 18th hole and made the eagle putt for a 6-under 64.That gave him a one-shot lead over Rickie Fowler, Branden Grace, Graham DeLaet and Robert Streb after the first round of the Honda Classic.Defending champion Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods each had a 70.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — The New York Islanders say they are aware of goalie Rick DiPietro’s comments about depression and suicide, and plan to handle the matter internally.DiPietro, placed on waivers and then sent to the minors last week, said in an interview with News 12 Long Island that he has fought depression and pondered suicide because of his history of injuries, the weight of a giant contract and the team’s constant losing.The 31-year-old goalie later told reporters his comments about suicide shouldn’t be taken literally because he simply intended to credit the support of his wife during his trying time with the Islanders.