A public funeral service for slain Washington Redskins player Sean Taylor, a former All-American safety at the University of Miami, is set for 11 a.m. Monday -- at Florida International University.

The choice of venue immediately elicited questions from fans and mourners about why the service, which is expected to be attended by thousands, won't be at Taylor's alma mater.

A UM representative said the BankUnited Center on the school's Coral Gables campus will be occupied through Tuesday with basketball games and preparation for a Republican presidential debate.

''The building is unavailable,'' UM representative Mark Pray said. ``It's regrettable we couldn't do it.''

FIU officials said Taylor's family then requested the funeral be held at FIU. The service will be at the Pharmed Arena on the school's University Park campus in West Miami-Dade. The school's athletics director, Pete Garcia, spent 16 years at UM before going to FIU and knew Taylor from his days as a Hurricane.

Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James, one of many former UM players planning to travel to Miami for the service, said the funeral site was insignificant.

''They could have said it was in another country and the University of Miami players would make sure we're there,'' said James, who will arrive early Monday morning with NFL teammate and former Cane Antrel Rolle. ``Where it is doesn't matter to me. The main thing is being there. This is someone who was big to us, who was one of us.

``This right here is bigger than where it's at. This is about making sure you have a place to attend.''

James said he expected a large UM contingent.

''Everybody is trying to figure out how to get there,'' he said. ``Reggie [Wayne, of the Indianapolis Colts] has the sweetest deal. The owner is giving him his plane. That owner has a big heart, man.''

The entire Redskins organization is planning to attend the funeral, FIU representative Evan Koch said.

The team and front-office staff will fly down after the Redskins' home game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Redskins then must turn around for another home game Dec. 6 -- the Thursday after the funeral -- against the Chicago Bears, making the week even more hectic and emotional.

The Redskins announced the NFL will honor Taylor with a moment of silence at this week's games, and all league players will wear a No. 21 sticker -- Taylor's number -- on their helmets.

Taylor's father, Florida City Police Chief Pedro Taylor, flew to Washington to talk with Redskins players, coaches and trainers Wednesday. He was accompanied by his son's girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, and other family members, according to Richard Sharpstein, the family's attorney and spokesman.

Pedro Taylor talked with the team about his son and the love he had for his teammates, and then he returned to South Florida in the afternoon to finalize funeral arrangements here.

EMOTIONAL VISIT

The family's time at Redskins Park was emotional, according to team chaplain Brett Fuller.

'Many of these guys were wondering, `How in the world am I going to go out and do this on Sunday?' '' Fuller told The Associated Press. ``And when Mr. Taylor stood up and said go out and win these next five and make it to the playoffs, we felt a surge in the room, that he almost gave us permission to play well.''

Fuller said Taylor's 10-minute speech was followed by 10 minutes of ``hugs and thank yous.''