The Division II Men's and Women's Soccer Committees focused on the format for the 2002 joint men's and women's championships during their February 5-7 annual meeting in Indianapolis.

The committees recommended two different formats for the Division II Championships Committee to review. The first option includes a Tuesday arrival with a practice day and the banquet being conducted on Wednesday. The men's semifinals would be held on Thursday afternoon, and the women's semifinals on Friday afternoon. After a day of rest on Saturday, both championship games would be conducted on Sunday.

The second option is a Wednesday arrival with the banquet on Thursday. All semifinals would be played on Friday, alternating each year, beginning with the men's session in the morning and the women's session in the evening in 2002. Saturday would be a day off, with the championships concluding on Sunday.

Both committees also forwarded recommendations for changes in the selection criteria. The women defined the following selection criteria, in no preferential order: in-region won-lost record, in-region head-to-head results, in-region strength of schedule, in-region results against common opponents, and the eligibility and availability of student-athletes for the championship. When teams under consideration are tied on all criteria, the following criteria, in rank order, will be used: head-to-head results, in-region strength of schedule, results against common opponents in the region, results against teams within the region outside your conference, and results against teams already selected.

The women's committee also forwarded a proposal recommending that if all other items are equal, the quarterfinal host sites will alternate between regions. Provided the minimum site-selection criteria are met and the field is made playable, the committee recommends alternating quarterfinal sites between two regions. Beginning in 2002, the quarterfinals will be paired and hosted as follows, with the host listed first: New England vs. Northeast, Midwest vs. Far West, Southeast vs. South, and Great Lakes vs. Central. In 2003, the pairings will be Northeast vs. New England, Far West vs. Midwest, South vs. Southeast, and Central vs. Great Lakes.

Men's criteria changes

In order to create a performance-based system, the men's committee proposed modifications to the selection criteria, eliminating the secondary criteria and incorporating those items into the primary and tiebreaker criteria.

Under this proposal, the primary factors would include the in-region won-lost record, in-region results against common opponents, in-region strength of schedule, in-region power rating system, in-region results against teams already selected, and in-region results against common opponents, other than teams under consideration. All those factors would hinge on the eligibility and availability of student-athletes for the championship.

When the teams under consideration are tied on all other criteria, the criteria, in rank order, will be reviewed, including head-to-head results, results against common opponents other than those under consideration, the power rating system, in-region strength of schedule, results against Division II opponents outside the region, and in-region results against teams already selected.

In another action, the men's committee recommended a format change for the championship (after reviewing comments from others), where the No. 2 seed and the No. 3 seed would play at the No. 1 seed's site. The thought is that if bracket expansion is approved for the 2003 championship, each region would increase from two to three teams selected. With that in mind, if the No. 1 seed in a region was approved to host, the No. 2 seed would play the No. 3 seed on Friday and the winner would play the No. 1 seed on Sunday. The original proposal was a mid-week game matching the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds with the winner traveling to the No. 1 seed for a weekend match.

This recommendation will go to the Division II Championships Committee in June.

Other highlights

Division II Men's and Women's Soccer Committees
February 5-7/Indianapolis

Women's highlights

Recommended that beginning in 2003, a minimum of 10 in-region matches must be played for championship selection, and that beginning in 2004, a minimum of 12 in-region matches must be played for championship selection.

Reviewed plans to expand the championship bracket from 24 to 32.

Men's highlights

Evaluated the 2001 championship, including the officiating and financial reports.

Made modifications to the championship handbook.

Reviewed plans to expand the championship bracket from 16 to 24.