"We feel like we've made a pretty strong case for expansion," said Jack McDonald, director of athletics at Quinnipiac University and incoming chair of the committee.

Part of the group's rationale relates to fairness with the bracket. With the current format, four teams receive a bye in the first-round games.

"What we have right now makes selecting the top four teams extremely important," McDonald said. "It would be much more fair to have an equal number of teams and a balanced bracket."

"During these past four years, we have been committed to the criteria and priorities set forth by the Championships/Competition Cabinet, as well as the directive from the NCAA to balance the Division I championship opportunities for men and women," McDonald said. "We strongly support these priorities and directives. It is important to note over the past four years our sports have made remarkable progress in meeting and surpassing the criteria and directives set by the cabinet and the NCAA."

The success of women's hockey could end up assisting the men's championship. The 2002 championship season will include a Division III Women's Ice Hockey Championship for the first time, in addition to the National Collegiate (Women's Frozen Four) event.

One form of expansion -- the number of committee members -- was approved. The current committee has four members. With five conferences receiving automatic qualification and another applying, the committee will grow to six members. The expansion also will assist with administering the championship.

Other highlights

Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee
July 17-20/Indianapolis

Discussed officiating with Frank Cole, national coordinator of officials. The group reconfirmed that the selection of officials will remain the same. The best officials will be selected and assigned regardless of conference affiliation. Assistant referees will continue to work as teams.

Set game times for the 2002 Men's Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota, for 12:30 and 6:30 p.m. (Central time) Thursday, April 4, for the semifinals, and 6 p.m. Saturday, April 6 (tentatively), for the final.

Voted to award automatic qualification to each of the five leagues that received bids in 2001. Also noted that College Hockey America will be eligible to apply for a bid as soon as it has six Division I members. The committee anticipates the CHA to be eligible to receive an automatic bid in 2003.

Noted that there will be 59 Division I institutions sponsoring men's ice hockey in 2001-02 and 60 in 2002-03.

Moved the University of Alabama, Huntsville, from the East region to the West.

Agreed to meet jointly with the Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules and Division III Men's, National Collegiate Women's and Division III Women's Ice Hockey Committees in summer 2002 in order for all groups to discuss issues together at one site.

Asked the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet for an increase in the size of the travel party from 31 to 40. If approved, the increase would be effective for the 2003 championship.

Met with the commissioners of the six Division I conferences and the National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Committee.

Reconfirmed the team ticket policy for regional play. Teams that are placed in their natural region will be allotted 250 tickets, while those that are out of region will be allotted 100 tickets. The tickets are in books for each regional and may not be split.

Recognized outgoing chair Bill Wilkinson of Wayne State University (Michigan) for his dedication and work on the committee. Jack McDonald of Quinnipiac University will replace Wilkinson, effective September 1.