The Division III Men's Ice Hockey Committee focused on site-selection and officiating issues at its annual meeting May 5-8 in Beaver Creek, Colorado.

The committee talked at length about how sites and officials are selected and agreed that a renewed focus in these areas will enhance the championship.

With regard to site selection, the committee recommended several points of emphasis to potential sites, including locker room space.

The group also talked about officiating and how the selection of officials and quality of officiating might be improved. While the committee agreed that the current protocol was acceptable, it would like to make improvements to the system. The biggest concern the committee has is to make every effort to secure officials who referee primarily Division III competition during the season for the championship, understanding that some officials may be asked to work Division I tournaments, which normally are played around the same time.

The committee suggested that Frank Cole, the national coordinator of officials, be given a list of quality referees during the season to assist him in assessing officials before the championship.

The group instructed Cole to select the best officials for the championship finals, regardless of geographic region. The committee also asked that Cole or another representative of the Ice Hockey Rules Committee be present at the championship to assist with officiating issues. Also, the committee would like to move the best officials forward after the semifinal round.

In other action, the committee:

Voted to retain the third-place game.

Agreed to submit a proposal for bracket expansion to the Division III Championships Committee. The committee asked for a 10-team bracket, up from the current eight-team format.

Forwarded a request to the Division III Championships Committee to expand the official travel party from 26 to 29, an increase of two players and one administrator.

Recommended the following game times for the 2001 championship weekend: March 16 (semifinals) -- 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (local time); March 17 (finals and third-place) -- 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Eastern time). The committee felt it was important to finish the championship game in time to accommodate media outlets across the country, regardless of region.

Discussed the geographic rotation of its championship. The committee agreed to make an attempt to rotate championship sites from the East region to the West region when possible.