The Division II Championships Committee reviewed a number of important budgetary items during its January 29-31 meeting.

The committee noted that the Divisions II Management and Presidents Councils have tentatively approved the parameters for the new budget initiatives, which include an increase in the brackets for the men's and women's basketball championships to 64 teams each beginning in 2002-03. The Councils also approved recommendations to increase the men's soccer championship from 16 to 24 teams and the women's soccer championship from 24 to 32 teams.

A recommendation to reimburse institutions for travel to both the indoor and outdoor track championships also received tentative approval, along with a recommendation to pay per diem expenses (but not travel) for regional competition in tennis.

An increase in championships per diem from $65 to $70 for 2002-03 also was tentatively approved. The Councils approved another $5 increase for 2004-05, but the Championships Committee subsequently recommended that increase be delayed until 2005-06 to help fund other championships initiatives.

The committee also noted steps that are being taken to assure fiscal stability for Division II championships administration. At its January meeting, the Presidents Council approved a recommendation from the Division II Budget and Finance Committee to require a $1 million annual budget surplus. The Budget and Finance Committee also is building a 5 percent annual inflationary adjustment into its budgeting process to protect the division against unexpected spikes in travel expenses.

Other business

The committee reviewed strength-of-schedule standards for championships selection. The committee asked all sports committees to evaluate current strength-of-schedule criteria with newly established guidelines by fall 2002. Those guidelines include the following principles:

Nonconference play within an institution's region should be rewarded.

Competition against quality opponents should be rewarded.

Credit should be given for wins on the road against opponents within an institution's region.

Effective in fall 2003, sports in which strength-of-schedule criteria may be used will be required to use schedule strength as at least 50 percent of the determinant for choosing championships participants.

Sports committees that have not yet developed their standards have until March 1 to submit information to the Championships Committee.

Other highlights

Division II Championships Committee
January 29-31/Indianapolis

Increased the size of several sports committees to provide for equal representation from all regions. Field hockey, women's lacrosse and wrestling were increased by one member each, while men's golf was increased by two.

Agreed that each conference will select two representatives to serve on regional advisory committees. The Championships Committee also agreed that should the national selection committee want to reverse a recommendation from a regional committee, it will be required to consult with the regional committee before making a final decision. The final decision for selecting teams for championships will continue to rest with the national committee.

Reviewed a draft of the request-for-proposal (RFP) form that will used in selecting a site for the Division II spring sports festival in 2004. As of February 1, five cities had expressed interest in hosting the event. The RFPs will be mailed later this month, and responses will be due June 1. Sports committees then will review the proposals and forward their recommendations to the Championships Committee, which will make a final decision on the site in September.