The NCAA Men's and Women's Rifle Committee recommended a new format for the championship relays at its April 10-11 meeting in Indianapolis.

In an effort to create a more exciting championship atmosphere, the committee voted to change the relay format, allowing two student-athletes from each institution to be represented as counters on each relay in both smallbore and air rifle. The coach will designate which student-athlete will be shooting in which relay during the coaches meeting at the championship. The committee hopes this will be more accommodating for the student-athletes who prefer to shoot either in the morning or the afternoon, and will create a more exciting atmosphere where the winner is not determined until the end.

After implementing a standard qualifying weekend, target and scoring gauge last year, the committee decided not to make any changes to their choices for the 2004 season. Despite concerns in the coaching community that the qualifying targets were not produced in the same run, providing an equal target to all participants, the committee voted to request all targets come from the same paper ream, along with clearer printing and a thicker paper from the target supplier, American Target. All orders for qualifying targets must be submitted by November 1, 2003. A reminder from NCAA staff will be sent in September.

The qualifying weekend for 2004 will be February 13-15. The Collegiate Rifle Coaches Association (CRCA) will be making recommendations regarding multiple qualifying dates at the 2004 coaches meeting. At that time, the committee will review the qualifying format.

While reviewing the 2003 championship, the committee created a checklist for a site evaluation that will be included in the championships bid packet and in the tournament manual to be used by the host.

Bids are still being accepted for 2004, 2005 and 2006. Submit bid information to D'Ann Keller at the NCAA national office.

In order to attract more qualified scorers, the committee is asking the Championships/Competition Cabinet to increase the statistical officer's fee from $150 to $300; increase the scorer's fee from $50 to $100; provide per diem, hotel and mileage, if necessary, to the range officer; and increase the assistant range officer's fee from $125 to $150. The committee also is proposing a maximum of two flights for scorers after every attempt is made to obtain local scorers.

The committee also is asking the cabinet to provide the following equipment to travel with the championship: six remote-operated digital clocks and five scoring boxes.

During the rules portion of the meeting, the committee voted to change the definition of exterior weights to the following: "The weight of the air rifle with exterior weights that are inside the normal maximum dimensions of the rifle as viewed from directly above, and concentric barrel weights, are allowable."

And in order to alleviate student-athletes being punished due to a manufacturer's error, the committee voted to increase the maximum thickness of the jacket and trousers to 3.0 millimeters single thickness and 6.0 millimeters double thickness.