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The NCAA News -- April 26, 1999

Football committee approves two-year contract extension

After issuing a positive review of the 1998 championship game and receiving a report concerning stadium improvements, the Division II Football Committee voted to renew the contract with the Shoals National Championship Committee to hold the 2000 and 2001 championship games in Florence, Alabama.

The football committee, which met April 13-16 in Kansas City, Missouri, commended the Shoals group for its commitment to the event. It also complimented the local organizing committee, especially for such events as the airport welcome and championship banquet. The committee believed such events made for an outstanding experience for the participating institutions and fans.

Stadium improvements due for completion August 1, 1999, include a new press room and press box, along with new bleachers, restrooms and concession areas. Seating capacity also has been increased to 14,215.

The football committee requested that the Shoals committee add signage directing visiting fans to the stadium from the major highways leading to Florence. The group also felt that the possibility of conducting an NCAA Youth Education through Sports (YES) clinic in conjunction with the title game would be another positive step in the championship marketing plan.

The two-year contract extension includes the same financial arrangement as the current agreement.

Another major development during the meeting was the development of a policy regarding the assignment of officials for the championships.

Officiating crews will be assigned based upon the following criteria (in order):

  • Fiscal responsibility will be practiced while trying to provide opportunities for all conference officiating crews;

  • The committee will attempt to ensure that each conference will be represented by its top-rated officiating crew, as determined and reported by the conference commissioner, every two years; and

  • Crews will not be assigned to a game if they are affiliated with either of the participating teams.

    The committee also recommended that Marv Kay, athletics director at Colorado School of Mines, be named as chair, effective September 1, 1999.

    Other highlights

    Division II Football Committee
    April 13-16/Kansas City, Missouri

  • Agreed to open discussion at the 2000 American Football Coaches Association convention regarding the possibility of realigning the Northeast region in order to balance the number of teams among all regions.

  • Noted that a preseason ranking call will be held August 23. Weekly ranking calls will be-gin September 20 and continue through November 8.

  • Voted not to reseed after each round of championship competition and to utilize current criteria for site selection.

  • Reviewed the comment forms from the first round, quarterfinal and semifinal playoff games, and asked that an evaluation of the officiating crew be included in the future.

  • Requested that the average expenses from host institutions in 1998 be provided in the proposed budget mailing for the 1999 championship.