The NCAA Men's Lacrosse Committees recently reviewed the 2004 championships held at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium and complimented the city of Baltimore for efforts to make the event attractive for fans and players alike.

The Divisions I, II and III committees conducted a joint meeting before holding separate sessions from August 2-5. The success of the 2004 championships, which set a single-day attendance record for an NCAA outdoor championship event, dominated the joint meeting.

The three championships have been held in Baltimore for the past two years. In 2005 and 2006, the events head to Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

Bid packets for the 2007 and 2008 championships will go out in February and will be up for discussion at committee meetings next summer.

Committee members also agreed that officials will be required to attend pregame meetings for all rounds of championships competition, and be required to attend an NCAA rules clinic to be eligible for officiating championship competition.

In other action, the group is requesting that the Men's Lacrosse Rules Committee consider implementing a rule preventing a player from blocking a shot close to the goal. Committee members believe the rule would address a student-athlete safety concern.

The committee also heard a report from Kathleen Zerrlaut, associate athletics director at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and chair of the Division I women's lacrosse committee, about a proposal to include the Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship as part of the championships weekend. Though committee members discussed the issue, they did not take any action.

John Hind, associate athletics director at Butler University, was selected to chair the joint committee. He replaces Harold "Chappy" Menninger, athletics director at Mount St. Mary's College, whose term expires next month.

Division I actions

The Division I Men's Lacrosse Committee discussed committee composition now that a new rules committee has been formed. Committee members have asked the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet for permission to include at least two coaches in the group.

The committee also decided to change its selection day from Monday to Sunday, which means that selections to the 2005 championship will be announced May 8. Committee members maintain that the extra day will allow hosts additional time to prepare for first-round play and allow teams an additional travel or practice day.

In other action, the committee voted to change the time for the championship game from 2:30 p.m. to noon on Memorial Day, giving fans extra time to travel home after the match.

Hind also was named chair of the Division I committee.

Division II actions

The Division II Men's Lacrosse Committee is recommending an increase in adult ticket prices for the semifinals from $3 to $5. Students with identification would be eligible for $3 tickets. The increase would make ticket prices consistent with those for the Division II Field Hockey Championship.

The committee also is researching the possibility of increasing squad size for the championship from 28 to 30 players to allow more student-athletes to participate in the event.

The group also reviewed the championship format for 2005. Now that there are three regions instead of two, the event will consist of one team from each region and one at-large team.

Division III actions

The Division III Men's Lacrosse Committee is recommending the following dates for the 2005 championships: First round -- May 11; second round -- May 14; quarterfinal round -- May 18; semifinals -- May 21. By holding second-round and semifinal games on Saturday instead of Sunday, the committee hopes to avoid conflict with commencement exercises and religious services. The committee also will recommend that weekday games be contested at 4 p.m. and weekend games at 1 p.m.

Committee members noted that the changes enhance competitive equity since teams will have the same number of days between games.

Peter Bothner, athletics director at Nazareth College, was named chair of the group. He replaces James Zalacca, athletics director at State University College at Potsdam.