The Division III Ice Hockey Committees explored expanding hosting opportunities and evaluated predetermined sites at their annual meetings June 6-9 in San Diego.

The Division III women’s committee recommended that it have the ability to expand allowable travel to provide a region with the opportunity to host the finals if that region has not hosted the championship within the past three years.

The change would bring the championship to the West region at least once every four years, which the committee believes would create more equitable hosting opportunities and allow for growth and development of the sport.

Since its inception in 2002, the Division III Women’s Ice Hockey Championship has taken place in the East to accommodate Division III’s geographic-proximity requirements, though there is an emphasis on placing the championship in the West when possible.

Currently, a West region conference receives one automatic bid to the championship, and all the teams in Pool B are located in the West region as well. Based on that current sport-sponsorship composition, at least two teams from the West always will be represented in the bracket.

The committee intends to start the "clock" with the 2006-07 championship, meaning that if the West region does not host the championship in 2007, 2008 or 2009, it will host in 2010.

In response to a request from the Division III Championships Committee, the group also discussed male practice players. The committee believes that coaches need to learn more about the rules regarding the use of male practice players, specifically certification of the male practice players, certification of insurance coverage for them and the impact on seasons of participation.

The committee also decided to let fans access championship practices the day of the competition to give them greater access to the championship experience. The practices the previous day will remain closed.

The men’s committee evaluated the first Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Championship held at a predetermined site. Overall, members believed the championship was a positive event, and they thought Elmira College and the surrounding community provided an excellent experience.

The 2006 championship was the first of a three-year trial of predetermined sites. The concept will be evaluated after the 2007 championship, hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Superior. The Division III Championships Committee will consider any recommendation about the future of predetermined sites after the ice hockey committee evaluates the second of those championships.

The committee also elected a new chair, Vincent Eruzione, athletics director at Curry College.