The NCAA News - News and Features
The NCAA News -- July 19, 1999
Automatic-qualification issues top men's basketball meeting
The Division I Men's Basketball Committee has recommended to the Management Council that the Western Athletic and Mountain West Conferences receive automatic bids to the championship beginning with the 2001 tournament.
Meeting in Monterey, California, June 28-July 2, the committee also gave its support to the intent of a Management Council subcommittee appointed to evaluate automatic-qualification issues, particularly as they apply to the migration of non-Division I teams into Division I and the continuous reorganization of Division I conferences. The subcommittee, appointed by the Management Council's administrative committee in April, is scheduled to submit a report at the Council's July 26-27 meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The men's basketball committee also discussed the logistics of a play-in, which would be implemented if more than 30 conferences are eligible for automatic qualification. The committee generally supported the following concepts: that institutions participating in the play-in receive the same revenue unit as teams participating in the first round; that the play-in receipts and expenses be part of the tournament financial report, and that the NCAA provide travel and per diem to participants. The committee also agreed to discuss additional logistics in upcoming meetings.
In other action, the committee responded to the President's Advisory Team's recommendation that sports committees review instances where the names of championships include "men's" or "women's." The committee noted the equity that has been built over many years with the "Final Four" term and the term's value to the organization, and suggested that both the men's and women's Final Four be permitted to use that mark.
The committee noted that there are instances where the inclusion of the words "men's" or "women's" would be appropriate, particularly in publications, but that the men's Final Four mark should continue to say "Final Four."
Other highlights
Division I Men's Basketball Committee
June 28-July 2/Monterey, California
Voted to revise the Final Four "clean zone," which establishes commercial-free areas within at least a two-block radius of the selected hotels, the convention center and the competition venue, to stipulate that the sale of officially licensed merchandise by the NCAA or its official designee be permitted within the zone.
Replaced language in the championship handbook that prohibits the issuance of media credentials to representatives of any organization that regularly publishes or otherwise promotes the advertising of "tout sheets" or "tip sheets" or other advertising that is designed to encourage gambling on college sports events," with language that reiterates the NCAA's opposition to all forms of sports wagering.
Adopted a policy whereby, in an off-campus facility where the playing floor does not include the host logo for all games, the host institution or conference may place a maximum of two decals of its logo on the floor. The total area of each decal cannot be more than four feet by four feet. No letter of a word in the decal may be larger than 36 inches high.
Increased from 30 to 35 the number of participating institution representatives who may be issued credentials to attend practice.
Approved a proposal to air NCAA public service announcements on video systems at the competition venues.
Received a report from Host Communications, Inc., regarding the NCAA Radio Network, NCAA Championships.com and other promotional entities it administers.
Met with representatives of CBS Sports and agreed to attempt to release the start times of the first- and second-round tournament games earlier on the day after selections. Noon Central time has been the target release time.
Discontinued the coaches/media reception on the Sunday evening before the championship game, noting that the National Association of Basketball Coaches plans to conduct a function for its members that evening and will invite selected media representatives.
Received the Indianapolis Local Organizing Committee's report on the progress of activities surrounding the 2000 Final Four. The basketball committee will encourage institutions whose teams are competing in the Final Four to conduct pep rallies at Hoop City.
Established ticket prices for the 2001 and 2002 Final Fours of $160, $140 and $120. The prices for 2000 are $120, $100 and $80.
Revised the preliminary-round ticket price windows as follows, effective with the 2001 tournament: First/second rounds: currently $25 to $40, new $30 to $50; Regionals: currently $30 to $45, new $40 to $55.
Eliminated the opportunity for the display of corporate identification on streetpole banners at the Final Four.
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