The NCAA News - News & Features

Modifications discussed in formats of tennis tourneys

During the committee's annual meeting, the Divisions I and II men's and women's subcommittees discussed changes in championships-advancement formats. Any changes in format are subject to approval by the NCAA Executive Committee.

The Division I men's subcommittee is considering changes beginning with the 1998 championships that would provide for a 64-team championship field, increase by one day the length of the individual championships and -- depending upon feedback from coaches -- provide for automatic qualification for conferences.

Under the proposed format changes, the team championship would feature 16 four-team regional tournaments. The regional champion at each site would advance to the championship finals site. Teams would not be granted automatic berths at the finals site, regardless of rank.

Currently, the Division I men's team championship final includes the nation's top eight teams as selected by the Division I men's subcommittee and the champion of each of eight regional tournaments. The regionals include from a minimum of four teams to a maximum of eight teams (depending on strength of the region).

In addition to the changes in championship advancement, the Division I men's subcommittee discussed increasing by one day (from five days to six) the length of the individual championships. The subcommittee is considering the additional day to limit to two the maximum number of matches a student-athlete is required to play on a single day. Currently, a student-athlete competing in the individual championships may be required to play three matches in a day.

The Division I men's subcommittee also discussed granting automatic qualification to conferences for the team championship, but delayed action on the issue until the spring of 1997.

Division I women

The Division I women's subcommittee also is considering championships format changes for 1998 that would provide for a 64-team championship field.

Under the proposed changes, the team championship would feature 16 four-team regional tournaments. The regional champion at each site would advance to the championship finals site. Teams would not be granted automatic berths to the finals site, regardless of rank.

Currently, the Division I women's team championship final includes the nation's top eight teams as selected by the Division I women's subcommittee and the champion of each of six regional tournaments.

In order to implement any of the proposed changes in 1998, both the men's and women's subcommittees must present recommendations to the Executive Committee in May 1997 because of the financial ramifications.

Division II men and women

The Division II men's and women's subcommittees recommended changes in their respective advancement procedures.

The men's subcommittee recommended that six of the 16 teams that compete in the championship final be selected by the men's subcommittee. The remaining 10 teams would advance via regional tournaments.

The proposed change would not alter the number of regional berths currently provided; however, the number of teams advancing to the finals site via automatic qualification or regional tournament berths would change. Currently, nine teams are selected by the subcommittee and the remaining seven teams advance via regional tournaments.

The Division II women's subcommittee considered a proposed change in selection and advancement procedures for the 1998 championship. The subcommittee would select teams for regional play based upon a formula that considers, among other criteria, success in tournament competition during the three preceding years and the number of schools in each region.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Men's and Women's Tennis Committee
July 7-10/Kansas City, Missouri

* Revised championships uniform apparel language to state that all players on each team are expected to wear the same team uniform at the start of each match.

The Division I men's subcommittee took the following action:

* Realigned the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and New Mexico State University from Region VIII to Region VII, effective with the 1997 championships.

The Division I women's subcommittee took the following actions:

* Recommended to the NCAA Executive Committee that the championships scoring format be revised as follows: six singles matches (best of three sets) worth one team point each, followed by three eight-game, pro-set doubles matches worth one team point each.

* Voted that, for championships selection purposes only, matches played to completion will be considered unless both coaches agree not to complete the match.

* Recommended to the Executive Committee that the championships date formula be revised so that the championships finals begin on Thursday eight days before the last Sunday in May, and that regional competition begins one week before the championships final.

* Recommended to the national office staff that the team championship final be televised. Currently, the singles and doubles championships finals are televised.

The Division II men's and women's subcommittees took the following actions:

* Recommended to the Executive Committee that the championships scoring format be revised so that each pro-set doubles match is worth one team point. Currently, the three pro-set doubles matches are worth one combined point.

* Met with John Bryant of Southwest Baptist University to discuss championships policies and procedures related to the 1997 Division II Men's and Women's Tennis Championships. Southwest Baptist will serve as host of the 1997 championships.

The Division III women's subcommittee took the following actions:

* Recommended to the Executive Committee that Claremont McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps Colleges serve as host of the 1997 Division III Women's Tennis Championships.

* Recommended to the Executive Committee that the championships team squad size be reduced from eight to seven and that the positions created by the reduction be allotted to the individual championships.