REPORT
OF THE
NCAA
DIVISION I WRESTLING COMMITTEE
1. ACTION ITEMS.
a. NCAA
Wrestling Committee Composition.
(1) Recommendation. That the size of the NCAA Wrestling
Committee be expanded beginning with the 2008-09 academic year, such that there
would be 11 members from Division I instead of the current six members.
(2) Rationale. The Division I Championships/Competition
Cabinet has directed the wrestling committee to develop and implement a system,
effective with the 2009 championships, in which each eligible conference
receives automatic qualification for the champion in each of the 10 weight
classes. Each of the 220 remaining
wrestlers would be selected on an at-large basis by the committee with the
assistance of a ranking program. Such
an increase in the size of the committee would allow for one representative
from each conference and regional qualifying tournament and better enable the
committee to identify the at-large selections.
(3) Estimated
Budget Impact. The estimated
annual cost for an additional five committee members is $15,150. The NCAA administrative services group
has provided estimated transportation and per diem expenses, and this
information is attached.
(4) Student-Athlete
Impact. None.
b. Travel
Stipend for NCAA Evaluators.
(1) Recommendation. That effective with the 2009
championships, a $300 travel stipend be provided annually to each of the 10
evaluators working the Division I Wrestling Championships.
(2) Rationale. The role of the evaluators at the
championships is to provide a neutral and unbiased evaluation of the 20
officials assigned to work the championships. Their evaluations are used as the basis
for determining which 10 officials are fortunate enough to serve as a referee
for the finals. The individuals
serving as evaluators currently only receive a stipend of $300 and lodging for
the championships. They do not
receive any assistance with their travel costs, and they also do not receive
any per diem.
(3) Estimated
Budget Impact. This would have
a $3,000 annual financial impact.
(4)
Student-Athlete Impact.
None.
c. In-Person
Selection Meeting.
(1) Recommendation.
That effective with the 2009 championships, the Division I Wrestling Committee
hold a three-day (two-night) in-person meeting at the NCAA national office to
select the field of 330 wrestlers for the championships.
(2) Rationale.
In June, 2007, the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet directed the
Division I Wrestling Committee to select the field of qualifiers with the
assistance of a rankings program beginning with the 2009 championships. Due to the
intensive nature of selecting 220 at-large wrestlers to the championships, the
committee feels it is imperative that the selection meeting be held in-person.
(3) Estimated
Budget Impact. The estimated annual cost for an in-person selection meeting
is $14,135. The NCAA administrative
services group has provided estimated transportation and per diem expenses, and
this information is attached.
(4) Student-Athlete
Impact. Although no exact
measure can be placed on this, the committee feels that the in-person meeting
will help ensure that the appropriate student-athletes are selected to the
field.
d. Creation
of Wrestling Rules Committee.
(1) Recommendation. That a Wrestling Rules Committee be
created to include eight members, four from Division I, two from Division II
and two from Division III. The
committee also would seek approval for the weight management liaison to attend
the rules committee meeting.
(2) Rationale. Based on the additional responsibilities
related to the selection process as directed by the Division I Championships/Competition
Cabinet (selecting the 220 at-large wrestlers for the 2009 NCAA Division I
Wrestling Championships), the committee feels it needs to focus more time on
the championships and selection process. Therefore, the committee feels they
won’t have the necessary time to spend on potential rules changes, and it
is crucial for a separate rules committee to be formed. This would align the
sport of wrestling with virtually every other sport in the NCAA, having both
rules and championships administration committees.
(3) Estimated
Budget Impact. The estimated
annual budget impact of creating a wrestling rules committee is $12,240. The NCAA administrative services group
has provided estimated transportation and per diem expenses, and this information
is attached. The additional cost for the weight
management liaison to attend the annual rules committee meeting is $1,530.
(4) Student-Athlete
Impact. None.
2. INFORMATIONAL
ITEMS.
a. Weight Management Liaison. The NCAA plans to provide a nominal
stipend on an annual basis to an individual to serve as the weight management
liaison for wrestling referees and coaches. This stipend will come out of the
existing wrestling officiating improvement program budget, based on the weight
management liaison’s anticipated role with the officiating improvement
program. The person serving in this new role would complete the following
tasks:
(1) Assist in the preparation of the
annual officiating/rules DVD which is required for all officials to view in
order to be certified to officiate any collegiate regular season or postseason
wrestling competition. The weight management liaison will be featured in
the annual DVD production, and this should be of assistance to officials, as
well as coaches.
(2) Answer any questions throughout the
year from officials on issues related to rule three and weight certification,
classification and weighing in. The officials are responsible for
enforcing the rules contained in the rules book on these topics.
In addition to the
role with the officials in these capacities, the individual also will be able
to assist the membership with any questions they might have regarding these
same topics.
b.
Championships
Date Formula Exception. The wrestling
committee changed the date of the 2008 NCAA Division I Wrestling East Regional
site so that the East regional site competition can be conducted March 8. The hosting institution has a basketball
tournament March 8, precluding if from hosting on this date. The date change does not substantively
alter the recommendation previously approved by the cabinet’s Administrative
Committee.
c.
List of
financial priorities. The
committee established the following financial priorities for the
cabinet’s consideration:
(1)
In-person selection meeting for the Division I
Wrestling Committee, beginning with the 2009 championships. (Additional costs: $14,135)
(2)
Expand the Division I Wrestling Committee from
six to 11 members. (Additional
costs: $15,150)
(3)
Create an eight-member wrestling rules
committee. (Additional costs:
$12,240)
(4)
Provide a travel stipend to each of the 10
assigned officials’ evaluators.
(Additional costs: $3,000)
The National Collegiate Athletic
Association