REPORT OF THE
NCAA DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE
1.
ACTION ITEMS.
a.
Automatic
Qualification.
(1) Recommendation. That the following conferences receive automatic qualification for the 2007 NCAA Division I Football Championship: Big Sky Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, Gateway Football Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, The Patriot League, Southern Conference and Southland Conference.
(2) Rationale. These are the same eight conferences that received automatic qualification for the 2006 championship [note that the entire football-playing membership of the Atlantic-10 Conference moves to the Colonial Athletic Association effective with the 2007 football season].
The committee received a request for automatic qualification from the Northeast Conference (NEC). While the NEC satisfies the eligibility requirements for automatic qualification, the committee agreed that the NEC did not merit one of the eight AQ positions in the bracket. The committee also decided not to recommend that the maximum number of automatic qualifying conferences in the bracket be increased from eight to nine. However, the committee agreed that given the membership growth and changes on the horizon within the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) it may be necessary to expand the championship bracket from 16 to 24 teams. The committee is supportive of the concept and will spend the next several months researching the issues and developing a recommendation for Cabinet consideration in the next NCAA budget cycle.
(3) Estimated Budget Impact. None.
(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.
b.
Squad Size.
(1) Recommendation. That the squad size for the final game of the Division I football championship be increased from 60 to 70.
(2) Rationale. Last year the Division I Board of
Directors approved several FCS enhancement items, one of which increases the
travel party by 30 persons during each round of the championship. As part of this initiative, the squad
size within the travel parties was increased from 56 to 60. While this is an appropriate number
during preliminary rounds (130-person travel party), when the travel party
increases to 145 persons for the championship game, student-athletes should
reap a portion of this benefit through an increased squad size (70 of the
145-person travel party). The championship game continues to be an experience
different from both the regular season and preliminary rounds of the
championship and, thus, merits a different standard of student-athlete
inclusion.
(3) Estimated Budget Impact. None.
(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.
c.
Committee
Chair.
(1)
Recommendation. That John McCutcheon,
(2) Rationale. Mr. McCutcheon has been a member of
committee for two years and will assume the chair responsibilities upon the
departure of the current chair,
(3) Estimated Budget Impact. None.
(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.
2.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
a.
Misconduct. The committee issued a public reprimand
to the head coach at
b. Instant Replay. The committee agreed to explore the use of instant replay as an officiating tool during the semifinal round of the championship. Instant replay has been used during the championship game the last two years. Associated costs for increased use will be absorbed by the current budget.
c. Home Team Environment. The committee agreed to place a greater emphasis on ensuring the home team environment created by hosts during preliminary rounds is consistent across sites and better produces an NCAA championship atmosphere. Details will be communicated to all prospective hosts during the bid process.
d. Rating Percentage Index (RPI). The committee explored the use of the NCAA RPI or some other mathematical resource to evaluate teams during the selection process. The committee concluded that the limited number of games in FCS football (sample size) and the lack of competition between teams in different regions limits the effectiveness of such tools and may even be misleading in some cases.
e. Facility Requirements. The committee agreed to develop and circulate a document to the FCS membership that details expectations for hosting preliminary rounds of the championship in future years. These expectations will include requirements to press box arrangements, space for instant replay equipment/personnel and stadium lights. The memorandum is designed to provide the membership with ample notice before such requirements go into effect (not earlier than 2008).