The NCAA News - News & Features

Five all-star football games, exempted basketball events are certified by committee

The recommendations are subject to review by the NCAA Council but could be approved by the Administrative Committee before the Council's next meeting to give sponsors adequate preparation time.

The committee recommended the recertification of three all-star events: the Kelly Tires Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic, December 25, 1996, in Montgomery, Alabama; the East-West Shrine Football Classic, January 11, 1997, in Palo Alto, California; and the National Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star Basketball Game, March 28, 1997, in Indianapolis.

In addition, two all-star football contests were recommended for initial certification: the Snow Bowl, a Division II all-star game, January 11, 1997, in Fargo, North Dakota; and the Hula Bowl All-Star Football Classic, January 19, 1997, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The committee tabled a request for initial certification from the Freedom Bowl, a proposed all-star football game for student-athletes from historically black institutions, until it receives additional information from event sponsors.

The committee recommended the following basketball contests for exemption from the participating institutions' maximum number of contests or dates of competition: the Great Alaska Shoot-Out, November 26-30, 1996, in Anchorage, Alaska; the Big Island Invitational Tournament, November 29-December 1, 1996, in Hilo, Hawaii; the Northern Lights Invitational Tournament, December 19-21, 1996, in Anchorage; the Hilo Holiday Shoot-Out, December 28-30, 1996, in Hilo; and the men's Postseason National Invitation Tournament, from March 12 through March 27 at various sites.

The committee turned down an appeal of its previous rejection of an exemption for the women's Postseason National Invitation Tournament because the event did not meet NCAA legislative requirements regarding game expenses. It also tabled a request for certification from the San Juan Shoot-Out until it receives additional information on event finances.

In addition, the committee recommended granting American University of Puerto Rico a one-year exemption from NCAA legislation requiring Division II teams to compete in exempted contests hosted by their institutions. If the recommendation is approved by the Council, the school will host the Puerto Rico Holiday Basketball Tournament December 30, 1996, through January 1, 1997, in San Juan while its men's basketball team is on the mainland playing a previously scheduled game.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Special Events Committee
August 16/Kansas City, Missouri

* Received an application for initial certification from the Motor City Bowl. The proposed game would begin after the 1997 season. The committee will formally consider the request at its April 1997 meeting.

* Agreed to require both institutions competing in a bowl game to provide game video to the supervisor of a bowl's officiating crew, so the supervisor can conduct a full evaluation of the crew and forward it to the committee. This action is part of a response to the NCAA Football Rules Committee's concern about lack of enforcement of unsportsmanlike conduct in a few high-profile bowl games after the 1995 season.

* Received a report from the newly certified Haka Bowl that it had entered into a one-year agreement to host the No. 3 teams in the Western Athletic and Pacific-10 Conferences. Previously, the No. 3 Pacific-10 team was to play an at-large selection.

* Approved a list of duties for standby officials.