DI C/C Cabinet 9/07
NCAA DIVISION I
MEN’S LACROSSE COMMITTEE
ACTION ITEMS.
1. Automatic Qualification.
a. Recommendation. That the following conferences receive automatic qualification for the 2008 NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Championship: America East Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, Eastern College Athletic Conference, Lacrosse America, Ivy Group, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the Patriot League.
b. Rationale. These conferences are eligible to receive an automatic qualification and have submitted appropriate applications.
c. Estimated Budget Impact. None.
d. Student-Athlete
Impact. None.
2. Minimum Guarantees.
a. Recommendation. That there be a minimum guarantee to host the first rounds and the quarterfinals and that these minimums are as follows:
First round................... $2,500 (effective 2007-08 academic year)
Quarterfinals................ $25,000 (effective 2009-10 academic year)
b. Rationale. Currently the top eight ranked teams host a first-round game, as long as they meet the minimum facility requirements. The NCAA Division I Men’s Lacrosse Committee feels there needs to be a financial responsibility to encourage the host to promote and sell tickets. With these events taking place a week after selections there is the feeling that sites just settle for the crowd they get and do not bother to work on ticket sales.
c. Estimated Budget Impact. None.
d. Student-Athlete Impact. None.
3. First-Round
Site Format Change.
a. Recommendation. That the first-round site format
consists of four predetermined sites with four teams at each site (effective
2008-09 academic year). The current
format is eight non-predetermined sites with two teams at each site.
b. Rationale. The change in the first-round format
would create more of a championship atmosphere and a better student-athlete
experience. This would allow the
host a year to prepare verses four days.
One of the concerns with the current format is attendance. With the proposed format the committee
feels that attendance would increase by showcasing two games at each of the
four sites and thus minimizing geographic proximity of the host sites. There would be less home-field
advantages and it would create more neutral sites, which the committee feels
would make the games more exciting.
c. Estimated Budget Impact. See Attachment A.
d. Student-Athlete Impact. None.
4. Squad Size.
a. Recommendation. To increase the squad size from 32 to 36
and the travel party from 40 to 44.
b. Rationale. The nature of the men’s game has evolved to more ‘specialists’ and substitution groups leading to teams carrying more individuals on the roster. In addition, the growth of lacrosse in youth leagues and high schools across the country has resulted in more and more quality players competing for a limited number of scholarship/roster opportunities. With the parity of Division I teams, it has caused coaches to have to use more players during contests.
d. Student-Athlete Impact. None.
Staff
Liaison: John Williams,
Championships