The Men's and Women's Fencing Committee voted to add playing rules responsibilities to its duties at its recent meeting.

The committee, which met April 12-15 in New Orleans, acted on the recommendation of a subcommittee that reviewed the current U.S. Fencing Association rules over the past year and determined that an NCAA rules committee is needed.

Under the proposal, members of the fencing committee would carry out the rules function as well as administer the championships. The Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet must approve the additional duties.

The committee also forwarded a recommendation to the cabinet to have regional competitions be considered the first round of the championships beginning in 2005 and to provide a stipend for the regional hosts.

Other recommendations made by the committee that will require approval by the cabinet include the hiring of a data specialist to track all of the seeding criteria and produce a rank-order list to assist with championships selections, and allowing one coach who does not meet the criteria of being employed 50 percent by a member institution to serve on the committee every four years.

The committee also recommended Jeff Cohen of Brandeis University as chair for the 2002-03 academic year.

Other highlights

Men's and Women's Fencing Committee
April 12-15/New Orleans

Reviewed the 12-strip format used for the first time in the 2002 championships, and agreed to use it in future championships if host sites can accommodate it.

Voted to use regional finish to break ties for selection to the championships.

Asked Ralph Zimmerman to continue as head official for the championships.

Voted to have armorers conduct logo checks of all equipment and uniforms during the apparel and equipment check one day before competition at the championships.

Set the dates and sites for the 2003 regionals as follows: Midwest -- March 8 at Ohio State; West -- March 8 at UC San Diego; Northeast -- March 9 at New York University; and Mid-Atlantic/South -- to be determined. The 2003 championships will March 20-23 at Air Force.

Approved the following regional allocations for the 2003 championships: