The NCAA News - News & Features

Women's lacrosse seeks expanded fields for championships

The committee met June 4-7 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

If the recommendation is approved, both the National Collegiate and Division III championships would expand to 12-team fields. Last year, six teams were included in the National Collegiate championship field; eight formed the Division III field.

Under a recommendation that was approved in December 1995, the National Collegiate championship already is scheduled to expand to eight teams next year.

A recommendation similar to this year's to expand both fields to 12 was declined last year.

In other actions, the committee recommended that the officials' fees be increased from $125 per game to $225.

It also recommended increasing the traveling party for both championships to 35 (including 28 players in uniform).

Currently, the National Collegiate championship traveling party is 30 and the Division III party is 29. Both championships allow for a maximum of 24 players in uniform.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Women's Lacrosse Committee
June 4-7/Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

* Agreed to a modification in the playing field for championship play. A broken line that is to be a different color from the other field markings will be added to restrict where coaches are permitted to be. This restricted area will not be used during the regular season.

* As part of an Association-wide plan for all championships, discussed the committee's work with 1997 National Collegiate and Division III championships host Lehigh University to put together an intense marketing plan that will seek to include to the entire sport's community. The goal is to make the championships weekend more of an event. For example, a program to invite former champions and members of the Lacrosse Hall of Fame to the championship is planned.

* Discussed efforts to improve officiating. The committee recommended that it be allocated funds to create a position for an officials coordinator. That person would assist the committee with selection and assignment of officials for championships and be in charge of in-season evaluation of officials. Ratings cards for use in that process are being developed by the committee.