The NCAA News - News and Features

February 24, 1997

II football seeks changes in preliminary-round site criteria

The NCAA Division II Football Committee has recommended new criteria for the selection of host institutions for first-round, quarterfinal and semifinal games in the Division II Football Championship.

The committee developed the criteria during its February 9-12 meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. They are subject to approval by the NCAA Executive Committee.

Under the proposal, institutions wishing to host preliminary-round games would have to guarantee 75 percent of net receipts or a minimum of $10,000 for first-round games, $15,000 for quarterfinal games and $20,000 for semifinal games.

Among institutions that meet the minimum guarantee, the committee will apply several primary and secondary criteria to choose the hosts.

The primary criteria are, in no specific order, attendance history, revenue potential and previous playoff history of the school or its conference; geographical location, including such factors as rotation of sites, weather, accessibility and transportation costs; and the quality and availability of the primary facility or an alternate facility.

The secondary criteria, in no specific order, are seeding and final ranking in either the regional poll (for first-round and quarterfinal games) or the national poll (for semifinals).

Previously, hosts were determined by seeds, with the highest seed usually hosting. But field conditions were poor at several sites last year, and the committee believes the new criteria would ensure the best possible playing surface and facility for playoff games.

First-round pairings will be determined by seed -- No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3 -- but teams from the same conference will not be paired together, if at all possible.

The committee also approved modifications in the process for selecting teams to participate in the championship.

When evaluating teams' won-lost record and strength of schedule, the committee will consider the primary criteria, in no specific order, of head-to-head competition and performance against common opponents.

The committee also will consider the following secondary criteria, in no specific order: conference standing, late-season performance, opponents' records and records against ranked teams.

Other highlights

Division II Football Committee
February 9-12/Kansas City, Missouri