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DI soccer to retain separate championships

By Gary Brown
NCAA.org

After a two-year exploration of whether to combine the Men’s and Women’s College Cups at a single site in the future, the Division I Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committees have decided it is in the best interests of each championship to keep the Cups at different sites and on separate weekends.

The decision comes after the soccer committees studied the feasibility of creating a festival-like atmosphere by combining the two championships at a single site beginning in 2012. But after taking into consideration a number of factors, including membership feedback, logistical concerns, broadcast windows and the effects of a combined championship on the regular season and conference tournaments, the committees opted to retain the current approach.

“As directed by the NCAA, we did our due diligence in looking at the combined Cups as a way to possibly grow the championships,” said men’s committee chair John Diffley, senior associate athletics director at St. John’s (New York). “But after hearing from the membership and gathering all the information we could about the logistics, possible benefits and some valid concerns, we decided it would be best to build on the current momentum the events are experiencing as separate championships.”

The proposal to combine the Cups was attractive primarily because of the economy-of-scale efficiencies that a single site affords and the potential marketing power of a mega-soccer event rather than two separate championships. Supporters also thought that a festival-type event would appeal to a broader fan base.

But surveys to the NCAA membership revealed lukewarm interest at best in combining collegiate soccer’s pinnacle events. Concerns included field conditions, since the wear and tear on the championship playing surface would be greater with two tournaments rather than one. Poor weather would exacerbate those concerns, though weather is an issue even with the separate championships, especially in mid-December.

Other membership concerns were how two sports previously on separate playing-season paths would interact on the same track, especially since identical date formulas could affect conference tournaments and NCAA preliminary-round games.

Some feedback also indicated concern about whether a combined College Cup – as attractive as it might be – would diminish the identity or brand that each gender has worked to develop over time. Even if the events are held at the same site, the risk is that one gender’s event might be perceived as more “marquee” than the other.

“We indeed heard those concerns from the membership and re-evaluated whether combining the Cups was in either championship’s best interests,” said women’s committee chair Lisa Campos, senior associate athletics director at UTEP. “Going forward, we want to focus on future site selection as a way to grow our game, perhaps giving sites the opportunity to bid on multiple years as a way to enhance the championship.” 

The 2011 Men’s College Cup is Dec. 9 and 11 at Regions Park, in Hoover, Ala. The University of Alabama, Birmingham, and the Alabama Sports Foundation are the hosts. The 2011 Women’s College Cup is Dec. 2 and 4 at Kennesaw State University.

Both committees will begin soliciting bids to host the 2012 finals within the next few months.

Women’s soccer date formula

Given that the Women’s College Cup will continue to be on its own weekend, the women’s committee at its February meeting took steps to ensure that the women’s finals will always be the weekend before the men’s.

Committee members proposed a “standardization of date formula” that puts the Women’s College Cup on the first full weekend in December – Friday to Sunday – even if Dec. 1 should fall on a Saturday, as it does in 2012.

That Division I Championships/Sport Management Cabinet will consider that recommendation when it meets in June. Assuming approval, the relevant dates for the next three seasons would be as follows:

The women’s soccer committee also is recommending that the cabinet approve a 1-2-1-2 game schedule for the tournament. That puts first-round games at 32 campus sites the first week, followed by second- and third-round games at eight sites the second week and quarterfinal games the third.

The previous format was a 2-1-1-2 schedule, and the committee – anticipating possible combined College Cups for 2012, recommended a 1-1-2-2 format to begin in 2011, which had been approved last June.

With the combined Cups no longer on the table, though, and with the current first-weekend-in-December formula for women proposed, a 1-1-2-2 slate would put the third-round and quarterfinal games at four sites over the Thanksgiving holiday. That was an undesirable outcome not only because of timing, but coaches didn’t like the fact that teams advancing to the finals would face the prospect of playing four games in nine days.

In addition, having two games at one site that third weekend introduces the possibility of the host losing in the first game and reducing the crowd – and the experience – for the two teams vying to get to the Cup finals.

“We’ve had discussions before about a 1-2-1-2 format, but when it looked as if we were heading toward the combined College Cups, the committee thought that the 1-1-2-2 worked better for that format,” said Campos. “Obviously, though, with the combined Cups no longer in the picture, the original 1-2-1-2 is the best approach for our separate championship on the first full weekend in December.”

The Championships/Sport Management Cabinet still has to approve that formula, too.

In other action, the women’s committee appointed Meredith Jenkins, senior associate athletics director at Auburn, to succeed Campos as chair beginning in September.

Men’s committee actions

The Division I Men’s Soccer Committee, meeting the same time as the women’s committee, clarified requirements regarding officials who work NCAA tournament matches.

Committee members decided that to be selected for any NCAA postseason game, officials must have experience working NCAA soccer matches during the regular season. In addition, consideration may be given to experience in other soccer competition [for example, Major League Soccer, the US Soccer Federation and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)].

The committee also will deploy a standard officiating crew of four officials during the semifinals and final of the Men’s College Cup. In the past, all six officials had a role during each game, with two officials assigned to each bench. 

“The committee believes that these two officials need to be prepared for the second semifinal,” committee chair Diffley said. “Also, the committee will recommend bringing seven officials to the Men’s College Cup that will provide a blend of experience in the positions of center referee and assistant referee.”

The committee also clarified policies for the 2011 tournament and beyond regarding coaches, players or other bench personnel who must sit out the next tournament game due to a (by red card or otherwise). Committee members voted not to allow those individuals to be on the team bench or the field at any time (they may join the team in the locker room during postgame, however). 

Further, a coach, player, or other bench personnel removed from a game shall be escorted from the playing field to a predetermined location away from the spectator area and field of play that is not in view of the game (such as the locker room or team bus). 

In both instances, the offending individual is prohibited from any communication or contact with the team, coaches, and bench personnel from the start of the pregame warm-up to its completion, including all overtime periods and penalty kicks.

In other action, the men’s committee:

• Recommended an increase in the squad size from 21 to 24 and an increase to the official travel party from 27 to 30 (the women’s committee is making the same recommendation).
• Considered various adjustments to the Rating Percentage Index to balance bonus and penalty structures. Members agreed to not make substantial changes to the RPI for 2011; however, they are encouraging teams to play on the road more and are exploring a reduction in penalties imposed to teams.
• Made sportsmanship a point of emphasis for 2011 and beyond. Also agreed that coaches should cordially greet officials before the start of the match but not carry on additional conversation with officials at that time or during half time and after the match (to avoid the perception of impropriety).
• Appointed Al Albert, the associate athletics director of development at William and Mary, to succeed Diffley as committee chair for 2011-12.