The Division I-AA Football Committee developed definitive site-selection criteria for preliminary-round games during its recent meeting.

The committee, which met January 21-24 in Orlando, Florida, recommended to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet that the four top-seeded teams that meet the minimum site-selection criteria would be selected as host institutions for preliminary-round games.

In addition, for contests in which the top four seeded teams are not involved, the following criteria should be applied:

Quality and availability of facility and other necessary accommodations;

Revenue potential, which shall include minimum financial guarantees of $30,000, $40,000 and $50,000 for the first-round, quarterfinal and semifinal contests, respectively, with consideration given to revenue potential in excess of the minimum guarantees;

Attendance history and potential; and

Team performance (for example, conference place finish, head-to-head results with other teams under consideration, non-Division I schedule, etc.).

Previously, the committee seeded all 16 teams and awarded playoff sites to the top-seeded teams. However, as a result of the Championships/Competition Cabinet's September 2001 directive to seed only 25 percent of a bracket, more definitive site-selection criteria were needed.

The proposed criteria closely match the basic site-selection criteria for all NCAA championships as stated in Bylaw 31.1.3.2.1. However, the committee proposes that when nonseeded teams are involved, consideration should be given to the total value of an institution's bid, not just the minimum guarantee. In addition, a team's performance will be used as a criterion to determine if it will be a host institution.

In another important development, the committee appointed a subcommittee to review possible changes to the current playoff format. Specifically, various models will be developed that will address selection procedures and pairing policies that might include a more regional emphasis on the selection of teams and preliminary-round pairings.

The intent of the review is to ensure that the championship format is providing the best possible postseason experience for the student-athletes and institutions. The committee will review the format models and possibly submit a recommendation to the Championships/Competition Cabinet during its February 2003 meeting.

Following the 2001 championship game that was played on a Friday evening, the committee recommended that the 2002 title contest be played on Friday, December 20. The committee believes that a Friday telecast on ESPN would provide more exposure than a Saturday time slot that would compete with NFL and college basketball games.

ESPN has agreed to a starting time of no earlier than 6:30 p.m. Eastern time so the telecast will reach a more prime-time audience. The 2001 game began at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.

In other action, the committee:

* Recommended granting automatic qualification for the 2002 championship to the Patriot League and the Atlantic 10, Big Sky, Gateway, Mid-Eastern Athletic, Ohio Valley, Southern and Southland Conferences.

Recommended that when teams from the same conference face each other in the playoffs, the officiating crew shall be assigned from another league.