In addition to selecting preliminary-round sites for future championships, the Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Committees used their summer meetings to make several championship-administration adjustments.

The committees, which met last month in Avon, Colorado, chose future sites -- the men's committee for the 2007 and 2008 first and second rounds and regionals, and the women's committee for the 2005 and 2006 first and second rounds (see the July 19 issue of The NCAA News).

Both committees also agreed to adjust ticket prices for future championships. Effective with the 2006 men's championship, the price range for first and second rounds will increase from a $30 minimum and a $55 maximum to $35-$60. For regionals, the range increases from $40-$60 to $45-$70.

Effective with the 2005 women's championship, the minimum price for an all-session ticket for first and second rounds and regionals will be $35 for adults, and $20 for all children, high-school and college students. Single-session ticket prices will be $20 for adults, and $15 for all children, high-school and college students.

Committee members noted that the host at each site determines the prices, subject to approval by the NCAA staff.

In other men's committee actions, the group agreed to select Final Four sites for 2012, 2013 and 2014 in July of 2007.

"The committee believes that timetable is the most appropriate to give prospective host cities sufficient time to reserve hotel accommodations and make other plans," said University of Iowa Athletics Director Bob Bowlsby, who chairs the men's committee.

The men's committee also reviewed the financial report from the 2004 championship, noting that attendance at first- and second-rounds sites was 97.3 percent capacity, the highest percentage since 1994. Also, the 2004 regional sessions at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, established all-time records for net receipts.

In another action, the committee agreed to expand the video replays in arenas to include replays showing game officials' calls. That practice previously had been prohibited.

Women's committee actions

The women's committee recommended to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet that effective with the 2007 championship, regional sessions of the tournament be conducted at neutral sites. Participating institutions would be precluded from playing in a facility where they played more than three regular-season games (excluding conference tournaments). Further, if an institution serving as a regional host was selected to the tournament field, it would be bracketed in another region.

Committee members rationalized that moving to neutral regional sites is the next step in providing a more fair and equitable bracket. The format would be similar to the one currently used for the Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

The committee also recommended to the cabinet that effective with the 2007 championship, regional bid specifications include the opportunity for a host to bid for one year or two consecutive years. The committee believes that allowing a site to host for two consecutive years will provide the opportunity to enhance marketing efforts and encourage local support of the event.

"The committee feels these recommendations are the best next steps to continue the growth of the championship," said University of Memphis Associate Athletics Director Lynn Parkes, who chairs the women's committee.

In other action, the committee agreed that effective with the 2005 championship, the format for first and second rounds will be four games (two two-game sessions) on one day for the first round and two games (one two-game session) for the second round.

Committee members also agreed that effective with the 2005 championship, the names for the first- and second-round and regional sites will be changed from region designations (East, Mideast, Midwest and West) to city name designations (for example, Dallas First and Second Rounds, Philadelphia Regional).

In addition, the committee designated the competition dates for the 2005 regional sites. Games at the Chattanooga and Tempe sites will be Saturday, March 26, and Monday, March 28; games at the Kansas City and Philadelphia sites will be Sunday, March 27, and Tuesday, March 29.