National Collegiate Athletic Association

The NCAA News - News and Features

June 23, 1997

Ice hockey explores common site for I, III championships

Divisions I and III men's ice hockey student-athletes may soon have the opportunity to share their championship experiences if a proposal for a combined-site championship is approved.

At its annual meeting June 9-12 in Kansas City, Missouri, the Divisions II and III Men's Ice Hockey Committee agreed to survey Division III athletics directors and coaches at institutions that sponsor men's ice hockey regarding a combined-site championship beginning in 2000.

The proposal, if approved by the athletics directors and coaches, would have to be approved by the Division III Championships Committee and the Division I Championships/ Competition Cabinet.

In discussing the proposal, the committee noted the success of the Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship title game, which is conducted on the off-day between the Division I semifinals and final.

The combined-site proposal provides for the Division I semifinals and final to be played Friday and Sunday, respectively, and the Division III final Saturday. The Division III quarterfinals and semifinals would be played at campus sites, using a two-game series with a "minigame" tiebreaker system.

Currently, the Division III championship quarterfinals are played at on-campus sites, while the semifinals and final are played at the championship site.

If adopted, a combined-site championship would result in the Division III championship being held approximately three weeks later than currently scheduled. The 2000 Division I championship is scheduled for April 7 and 9 in Providence, Rhode Island.

The sites of the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Division I championships are Albany, New York; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Buffalo, New York, respectively.

Other highlights

Divisions II and III
Men's Ice Hockey Committee
June 9-12/Kansas City, Missouri

  • Agreed to conduct the 1998 Division II championship March 13-14. The Division III championship will be March 13-14 (quarterfinals) and 20-21 (semifinals and final). All games will be played at on-campus sites.

  • Recommended that automatic qualification for the 1998 Division III championship be granted to the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Northern Collegiate Hockey Association and State University of New York Athletic Conference.

  • Agreed on the following secondary selection criteria for the Divisions II and III championships: home and away record; conference standings; accomplishments and strength of schedule over the last 10 regular-season games; and number of contests vs. teams ranked among the top 10 in the respective region.

  • Recommended Gary T. Wright of American International College and Francis T. O'Brien of the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, as chairs of the Divisions II and III committees, respectively.