Student-athletes attend NCAA institutions and participate in intercollegiate sports for many reasons, but perhaps the two most primary are (1) to earn a college degree and (2) to advance to the NCAA championship in their respective sport.

The Division I Men's Ice Hockey, Women's Softball and Men's Lacrosse Committees have been working hard to help student-athletes in those sports experience the latter.

For the past several years, those three committees have advocated expanding championship opportunities for the student-athletes who participate in those sports. During that time, other team sports in Division I have enjoyed expanded brackets -- most recently men's soccer (from 32 to 48 teams) and women's soccer (from 48 to 64 teams). Men's ice hockey, men's lacrosse and women's softball, in fact, are the three remaining team sports that have been asked to submit proposals for expanded brackets but have not had their requests come to fruition.

All three sports committees understand the tremendous pressures the Championships/
Competition Cabinet, the Division I Management Council and the Division I Budget Committee face when it comes to prioritizing a limited allocation of funds from year to year. We understand that not every Division I championship initiative can be granted each year. But we also believe the time has come -- and in fact the time is right -- for bracket expansion in men's ice hockey, men's lacrosse and women's softball.

The Championships/Competition Cabinet has been clear in establishing specific criteria for sports to meet in order to be considered for bracket expansion. The cabinet also has made it clear that championship opportunities should be equitable for male and female student-athletes.

The three sports committees strongly support those criteria. It is important to note, in fact, that over the past four years these three sports have made remarkable progress in meeting -- and even surpassing -- the criteria for bracket expansion.

First and foremost, bracket expansion for these three sports will not disturb the current ratio between men's and women's postseason opportunities. NCAA championship opportuni-

ties are now at 51 percent for women and 49 percent for men (not including Division I-A postseason football bowl games). Bracket expansion in men's ice hockey (from 12 to 16 teams), men's lacrosse (from 12 to 16 teams) and women's softball (from 48 to 64) actually will enhance overall championships opportunities for women.

There are other factors to consider, as well. The Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship generated more than $1 million in net revenue the past two years and expects to generate another $1 million in revenue in 2002. Further, expansion would generate additional net revenue of $250,000. The event also continues to set attendance records, and sponsorship of the sport has grown from 48 to 60 Division I programs.

Similarly, the Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship has generated $359,000 in net profits the past two years, and championship attendance over the past 10 years has averaged almost 49,000 fans.

Softball, too, continues to improve in revenues, spectator interest and television appeal. Championship attendance reached a record high in 2000, and championship-game crowds have exceeded 4,000 for the past five years.

All three championships enjoy unprecedented television success. The men's ice hockey and men's lacrosse semifinals and final are broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN, and those networks also provide coverage of the Women's College World Series.

The current bracket sizes in all three championships, however, are uneven (12 in men's ice hockey and men's lacrosse and 48 in softball), which means that some teams in each championship have the built-in advantage of a preliminary-round bye. Expansion to 16 in men's ice hockey and lacrosse, and 64 in softball, as is being proposed, would solve that problem.

The NCAA has worked hard to establish the championship experience as one that is cherished by those who achieve it. It is our role as athletics administrators to provide a quality experience to as many student-athletes as we can without disturbing the financial integrity of the championships program or the gender balance in championships opportunities. Bracket expansion in men's ice hockey, men's lacrosse and women's softball does just that. It is a fiscally sound decision, and one that will enhance the gender balance we all strive to maintain. In fact, this "trio" of brackets presents an ideal opportunity to grow the championship experience without compromising it.

I hope that members of the Championships/Competition Cabinet, the Management Council and Budget Committee agree and will put bracket expansion for these three sports at the top of the Division I budget priorities for the next fiscal year.

Not supporting additional championship opportunities for our student-athletes would be a huge opportunity missed.

Jack McDonald is the athletics director at Quinnipiac University and chair of the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee.