The committee also reviewed the results of the rules survey that was sent to all head rifle coaches last October.

To avoid a possible tie in selecting championship participants, the committee created additional criteria to determine a qualifying score among two or more athletes who have accumulated the same overall points in a given discipline. The new language will be included under Rule 4-2-11a in the 2002 Rifle Rules book.

In rules actions, the committee further defined a "miss." The following language was added to Rule 4-2-5 to prevent confusion about what constitutes a miss: "After the command to start shooting has been given, any release of the propelling charge without a pellet hitting the target, regardless of whether a pellet has been loaded, will be scored a miss."

To enhance the student-athlete experience, the committee recommended that trophies be awarded to the top three finishers in the individual aggregate. Also, it was recommended that a trophy be awarded to institutions that win either of the team disciplines. Currently, only student-athletes who contribute to a team win in smallbore or air rifle receive trophies, not the institution.

Starting with the 2002 championships, the committee will request contact information be made available to the host and the committee to expedite the notification-of-participants process. The committee hopes the move will result in more lead time for media to cover the athletes selected for the championships.

The committee expressed satisfaction with Ohio State University, the 2001 host, and currently is accepting bids for the 2002 championships. The committee would like to arrange hosts several years out to better prepare for the championships. Interested institutions should contact Mike Miller at the NCAA national office (317/917-6222).