Weather software clears up championship administration

As the spring championships season heats up, the NCAA will rely on cutting-edge technology to help dodge the whims of Mother Nature.

The Association will employ the MxVision WeatherSentry software package at 217 spring championships events scheduled from May 1 through June 30.

Developed by Meteorlogix, the software will provide championships personnel with up-to-the-minute weather information such as the start and stop times for various precipitation occurrences and real-time lightning data. The system also will gauge rainfall and generate an alarm when severe storms are approaching or when lightning strikes in a protected area.

Meteorlogix's Chris Whittinghill said the system will help NCAA officials to determine when to suspend play and when it can be safely resumed.

"This product offers advanced warning of specific weather events allowing for greater use of officials' time while ensuring players' and spectators' safety," he said.

Chris Schneider, NCAA assistant director of championships, said the new software, which automatically updates each minute, is easier to use because all officials need is a computer to access information. He also said that it is more user-friendly than the previous system.

Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska also currently use the system.

Meteorlogix is the world's largest commercial weather services provider with a client roster that includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Union Pacific Railroad, US Airways and the city of Orlando.

WCSTV provides athletes with televised education

College Sports Television (CSTV) is launching a new programming initiative aimed at aspiring athletes.

This educational "CSTV U." programming will help would-be athletes reach their full potential through instruction, demonstration and motivation. A curriculum encompassing 100 original 30-minute shows will be featured, along with new installments of the "Nike Training Camp" and "Coach" original series.

The programs will be available on CSTV and also will be offered to affiliates on video-on-demand.

"CSTV U. will feature the 'best of the best' of college coaches and student-athletes sharing the secrets of their success, and the best part is that the tuition is free," said CSTV President and CEO Brian Bedol.

CSTV's existing "faculty" through its "Coach" and "Nike Training Camp" series include: University of Connecticut women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma; St. Joseph's University men's basketball coach Phil Martelli; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance; and Stanford women's volleyball coach John Dunning.

The new programming comes on the heels of CSTV's one-year anniversary, which was celebrated April 7. The first 24-hour college sports network is now available to about 20 million households nationwide, with more markets scheduled to be added in the coming months.

Librarian recognized for hitting NCAA books

NCAA staff member Lisa Greer Douglass recently was honored with the Indiana Library Federation's 2004 Outstanding New Librarian Award.

Douglass received the award during the federation's awards and honors banquet April 13.

The honor recognizes a recent graduate who is making contributions to his or her library and to librarianship at large.

Since joining the NCAA as a technical services librarian in December 2001, Douglass has been responsible for developing the library's Intranet Web page; providing research services for NCAA staff, membership and the general public; processing special collections and cataloging acquisitions; and promoting the services of the NCAA library.

-- Compiled by Leilana McKindra

Number crunching

Looking back

Two shining moments

The University of Connecticut made Division I history earlier this month when its men's and women's teams won basketball championships. Though no other Division I school has reached that milestone, here's a look back at some that have come close:

In 2003, the University of Texas at Austin men's and women's teams both made the Final Fours. The men's team lost, 95-84, to Syracuse University in the semifinals, while the women's team fell, 71-69, to Connecticut in the semis.

In 2002, the University of Oklahoma men and women both made it to the Final Four, with the women advancing to the championship game. There they lost to Connecticut, 82-70. The men were stopped in the Final Four by Indiana University, Bloomington, which beat the Sooners, 73-64, to advance to the championship.

In 1999, the Duke University men and women both advanced to their respective championship games. The men beat Michigan State University, 68-62, to make the final but lost, 77-74, to Connecticut. The women defeated the University of Georgia, 81-69, to advance to the title game where they lost to Purdue University, 62-45.

In 1983, the Georgia men and women both made it to the national semifinals. The men lost to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 67-60, while the women fell to the University of Southern California, 69-67.

Others championships in which both teams have made it to the Elite Eight (not including those in which both teams went on to the Final Four):

2004 -- Duke

2003 -- Texas

2002 -- Connecticut

1998 -- North Carolina, Connecticut, Duke

1995 -- Virginia, Connecticut

1994 -- Purdue

1990 -- Texas

1987 -- Iowa

1986 -- LSU

Note: 1982 was the first year for an NCAA women's championship. The men's championship dates back to 1939. In the first men's championship, only eight teams participated. In the first women's championship, 32 teams took part.