REPORT OF THE
NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S SOCCER COMMITTEE
1. ACTION
ITEMS.
a.
Official
Travel Party.
(1) Recommendation. The committee recommends
that effective with the 2008 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship, the
official travel party for men's soccer be increased from 27 to 28 individuals
and the squad size be increased from 21 to 22 student-athletes.
(2)
Rationale. At its September 2005 meeting, the NCAA Division I Championships/
Competition Cabinet recommended to the NCAA Division I Budget Committee that
the official
(3)
Estimated
Budget Impact. $48,650. (Attachment)
(4)
Student-Athlete
Impact. None.
b.
National
and Regional Assignors of Officials.
(1) Recommendation. That
effective with the 2008 championship, funding be provided to establish the
positions of national and regional assignors for officials to assist the
committee in the selection and evaluation of officials for the championship and
coordinate educational efforts.
(2)
Rationale. Currently, both the men’s and women’s soccer
committees select officials for all rounds of the championships. In their
selection process, the committees rely on recommendations by conferences,
regional advisory committees and various officiating organizations, as well as
written evaluations. Creating these positions would streamline the process and
provide for consistency and quality control. It would also provide an
opportunity to develop national educational strategies for officials throughout
the country and assist in the recruiting of new officials.
(3)
Estimated
Budget Impact. $12,000 ($24,000 total for men’s
and women’s soccer).
(4)
Student-Athlete
Impact. None.
c.
Increased
Fee for Officials.
(1) Recommendation.
That effective with the 2008 championship, fees for championship officials be
increased as follows: middle
referee from $180 to $240; assistant referee from $135 to $160; alternate
referee from $80 to $100; and the flat fee paid for officials at the finals
from $450 to $600.
(2)
Rationale. The committee believes that an increase is warranted
at this time since fees have not been increased since 2000. In 2000, fees were increased by
$20. Information also was gathered
from sponsoring conferences that indicated their payment for regular-season
fees ranged from $175 to $260 for the middle referee; $125 to $170 for the
assistant referee and $60 to $95 for the alternate official. Although the committee feels that
officials selected for NCAA championship competition should be compensated at a
higher rate than they are during the regular season, the recommended
adjustments would minimally serve to align the fees with the current market.
(3)
Estimated
Budget Impact. $6,620.
(4)
Student-Athlete
Impact. None.
d.
Committee
Composition.
(1) Recommendation. That
NCAA Bylaw 21.7.6.3.3.5.3.16 (soccer committee, Division I men’s) be
amended to state that the Division I Men’s
Soccer Committee shall consist of 10 members, including one member from each of
the eight men’s soccer regions in Division I and two members selected at
large from any region. Of the 10 members, at least four must be coaches.
(2) Rationale.
The committee feels that a change in committee composition is warranted for
men’s soccer since more than half of NCAA institutions sponsoring the
sport are Football
Championship Subdivision (FCS) or Division I institutions and such sponsorship
numbers justify flexibility for the committee to appoint new members. The committee already has authority (per
NCAA Constitution 4.8.1.1) to appoint more than 50 percent of its members from
one subdivision.
(3)
Estimated
Budget Impact. None.
(4) Student-Athlete
Impact. None.
2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
a. List of Financial
Priorities. The committee
established the following financial priorities for the cabinet’s
consideration:
(1) Increase
in official travel party (additional costs: $48,650).
(2) Creation
of national and regional assignors of officials (additional costs: $12,000).
(3) Increase
in officials fees (additional costs:
$6,620).
b. Game Postponements. The committee discussed at length the
impact of inclement weather on game postponements. It was agreed that in the event of
severe weather the committee shall have the flexibility to cancel games up to
three hours before game time. Currently,
the decision on playability of a game is made shortly before game time. Having
the flexibility to cancel a game up to three hours in advance would allow all
parties involved (television, host staff, student-athletes, fans, etc.) to adjust
their planning with sufficient notice, rather than having to remain on
“standby” up to the last minute.
The
National Collegiate Athletic Association
August 13, 2007 DK:kh