The NCAA Men's Gymnastics Committee decided at its annual meeting June 19-22 in North Falmouth, Massachusetts, to create an earlier cut-off date for rules changes this season. Rules in place as of September 1 will be used for the season to avoid confusion.

The decision was made because of the fact that aligning with the International Gymnastics Federation Code of Points (FIG Code) for the first time last year led to many changes for the men's gymnastics community. The task of adjusting to the rules changes, though, never really ended, as new rules interpretations were being tweaked and clarified up until February 1.

"Last year, we had a cut-off of February 1, and it was extremely difficult," said Doug Van Everen, chair the Men's Gymnastics Committee and coach at the U.S. Military Academy. "There were significant changes to routines throughout the season. It was tough because we would have kids working on various skills in a routine because it was worth a bonus. All of a sudden, the skill would be devalued, and it could be devastating. It was a pretty trying year to get through, but we had committed to go with the FIG Code."

A panel was appointed to make any necessary interpretations during the season if previously unknown skills needed to be assigned a scoring level. Van Everen will be joined on the panel by Stanford University head coach Sadeo Hamada, U. S. Air Force Academy head coach Lou Burkel and NGJA representatives Butch Zunich and Dave Juszczyk.

The panel may be called upon in November after the world championship competition. If adjustments are made to the FIG Code before or after the international competition, the panel will have to consider whether to include the changes in the collegiate ranks immediately or wait until the 2002-03 season.

"If there is a significant change and a majority of people want to go with it, we will do so," Van Everen said. "If they are small changes, we may not do it right away. If there are changes that make sense, we will probably get everyone together again to discuss it."

Vault equipment

The new FIG vaulting apparatus will be used in NCAA competition this year. The new vault is shorter and wider to provide more stability for competitors. Nearly every men's gymnastics institution has purchased the apparatus, so Van Everen said the committee voted to implement the equipment.

"We're going with the FIG Code, and this is what they are using," Van Everen said. "They used it in qualifying in Santa Barbara, and they are going to have to use it for any national or international competition. We needed to follow suit, and introduce it at our national championship and during the regular season."

One championship format question that plagues the committee annually will be eliminated this year. Each competing team will be limited to 12 student-athletes on the roster. Alternates will be eliminated and the 12-man roster must be declared before the start of competition.

Although the format for the 2002 championships will remain the same, the qualifier format will be changed so that all six events will be conducted simultaneously. The reduced length of the qualifying round, which does not have television coverage, will allow student-athletes more rest for the subsequent team and individual championships.

"Our format at the national championships is excellent," Van Everen said. "To do it twice in a row probably wasn't necessary. We wanted to showcase our athletes, which we do during the Friday competition, but this will chop off about an hour. There was no doubt what the coaches and the athletes wanted. It doesn't affect television, and it will keep our athletes fresh."

In another matter, the committee voted to allow an individual who is in the team's regular lineup for at least five events during regular-season competition to compete in the sixth event in order to get an all-around score to qualify for the championships. This allows a student-athlete who is weak in one event to still have an opportunity to qualify for the championships, although he may not be in the top six on his team for one event.

Other highlights

Men's Gymnastics Committee
June 19-22/North Falmouth, Massachusetts

Voted to delay adopting the FIG color requirement for light-colored pants only to be worn in competition. The rule will be enforced starting with the 2002-03 season because some teams already had purchased uniforms for the upcoming season. Lighter pants allow the judges a better view of leg position during competition, whereas darker blue, green and black pants don't give judges the ability to determine a student-athlete's leg position. This international rule will level the playing field.

Agreed to increase the number of credentials for championship teams for 2002. For teams with up to four participants, four credentials will be provided for coaches, athletic trainers, doctors and other support staff. Teams with five to 10 student-athletes will receive five credentials, and a squad of 11 or more will have access to six credentials.

Recommended that Temple University host the 2003 championships. It will be the first time since 1976 that Temple has hosted the event.

In an effort to limit missed class time during the championships, the committee will forward a recommendation to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet to adopt a Friday-through-Sunday format for the 2004 championships. The current format is Thursday through Saturday.