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The NCAA News -- August 16, 1999

Ice hockey panel hopes numbers lead to bracket expansion

With the recent influx of ice hockey teams reclassifying to Division I, the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee hopes that bracket expansion may become reality in the near future.

At its annual meeting July 20-23 in Indianapolis, the committee reviewed recent changes in sponsorship numbers and discussed the impact such an increase may have on the championship bracket.

Within the next three years, sponsorship numbers shall increase nearly 18 percent from 51 in 1998-99 to 60, effective with the 2001-02 season. In 1999-00, 54 Division I institutions shall sponsor programs, while the number jumps to 59 in 2000-01.

In addition, the number of Division I conferences sponsoring the sport has grown from four to six in the last two years with the addition of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and the College Hockey Alliance (CHA).

While the increase in sponsorship bodes well for the sport, the committee noted that bracket expansion can only be addressed if the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet invites the committee to submit a proposal for bracket expansion.

The committee received a similar invitation from the cabinet in 1998, but its proposal to expand the current 12-team tournament to 16 teams was denied.

In addition to increased sponsorship numbers, the committee is encouraged that the expansion of the championship bracket from 12 to 16 teams can occur given that:

  • The bracket was last expanded in 1988;

  • Championship attendance has continued to grow in the 1990s;

  • The championship is one of the few that generates revenue; and

  • The number of club teams sponsoring the sport has grown steadily.

    The committee also noted that expanding the bracket from 12 to 16 teams would provide a more equitable situation for teams in that byes would be eliminated. Currently, four of the 12 teams receive first-round byes.

    In addition to discussing bracket expansion, the committee addressed championship dates and future sites.

    Regarding championship dates, the committee noted that the 2000 through 2002 Frozen Fours will use a Thursday-Saturday format, and that the 2003 Frozen Four will be held April 10 and 12. The committee also agreed that the 2003 regionals will be held March 28-30.

    The committee noted that it has started soliciting bids from prospective hosts for the 2002-06 regionals and 2004-06 Frozen Fours. Interested parties may contact Tom Jacobs at the NCAA national office. Deadline for submission of written materials for the 2002-03 regionals is December 1, 1999, while the deadline for bid proposals for the 2004-06 regionals and Frozen Fours is June 1, 2000.

    Other highlights

    Division I Men's Ice Hockey CommitteeJuly 20-23/Indianapolis

  • Recommended to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet for consideration at its February 2000 meeting that the committee be expanded from four to six members. The committee noted that with four members, it is the smallest sports committee within Division I.

  • Recommended to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet for consideration at its February 2000 meeting that officials fees for the championship be increased effective 2000-01.

  • Agreed that selection of officials for the Division I championship will be determined without regard to conference affiliation and that officials will be selected based on individual merit. Noted that individuals, not officiating crews, will be selected for the championship, and that officials will not be penalized if they work in various conferences.

  • Denied a request from the MAAC for a waiver of the two-year waiting period for automatic qualification to the championship. The MAAC is eligible for automatic qualification to the championship effective 2000-01.

  • Agreed to recommend to organizations/entities that publish weekly polls that they rank the top 20 teams. Currently, most polls rank 10 teams.

  • Voted to implement a minimum seating capacity of 15,000 for Frozen Four sites beginning with the 2004 championship.

  • Revised the championship ticket policies and procedures to state that future championship hosts cannot sell tickets until the current host attains a sellout or the current championship concludes. Also noted that future hosts must obtain approval from the committee before making tickets available.

  • Voted to implement a regional advisory committee system for the purpose of assisting the committee in evaluating and selecting teams for the championship. The committee noted that the regional advisory system will comprise East and West committees, and that monthly conference calls shall be conducted.

  • Voted to award full honorariums to 1999 regional hosts in Worcester, Massachusetts, and Madison, Wisconsin, and the University of Alaska Anchorage, host of the 1999 Frozen Four.

  • Discussed possible implementation of a lottery system for tickets similar to the Men's and Women's Final Fours, effective with the 2002 championships.