REPORT OF THE
DIVISION I FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP COMMITTEE
1.
ACTION ITEMS.
a.
Automatic
Qualification.
(1) Recommendation. That the following conferences receive automatic qualification for the 2008 NCAA Division I Football Championship: Big Sky Conference, Colonial Athletic Association, Gateway Football Conference, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Ohio Valley Conference, Patriot League, Southern Conference and Southland Conference.
(2) Rationale. These are the same eight conferences that received automatic qualification for the 2007 championship.
The committee received a request for automatic qualification from the Northeast Conference (NEC). While the NEC satisfies the eligibility requirements for automatic qualification (AQ), the committee agreed that the NEC did not merit one of the eight AQ positions in the bracket based on its review of AQ criteria: (1) non-conference records; (2) strength of non-conference opponents; (3) recent postseason history, and; (4) competition against FBS opponents.
(3) Estimated Budget Impact. None.
(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.
b. Hosting Penalties.
(1) Recommendation. That the committee be permitted to consider significant crowd control issues, specifically fans rushing the field, when making hosting decision during or subsequent to the championship.
(2) Rationale. The committee will make crowd control issues a significant point of emphasis for the championship next year and in the future. In addition to directing our host community to provide more engaged security support during the game, the committee is considering implementing several initiatives for the future, including (1) empowering game officials to stop the game until the field is cleared of all unauthorized individuals; (2) taking away an institution’s opportunity to host future rounds; (3) stricter monitoring of tailgating areas for violations of open-container and/or underage alcohol consumption; and (4) implementation of fan text-/hotlines for use during games to alert securing of unruly crowd behavior. If approved, the change will be reflected in the championships handbook.
(3) Estimated Budget Impact. None.
(4) Student-Athlete Impact. None.
2.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
a. Selection of Officials. The committee agreed to enhance the selection procedures for determining the officials that will work during the Division I Football Championship. Beginning with the 2008 championship only the top two officiating crews from each AQ conference are eligible to be selected to work during the championship.
b. Drug Testing. The committee informed the host institution that they will need to plan for an improved set-up should drug testing take place at the 2008 championship.
c. Awards Presentation. The committee has asked the host institution to expand on the current postgame awards presentation for the 2008 championship. This expansion should include a larger awards stage that can be moved to the bench area of the winning team at the conclusion of the game.
d. Financial Relief. The committee voted to provide the University of Delaware with financial relief from their first-round game against Delaware State University. The game was played the day after Thanksgiving which required paying certain staff working the game an unexpected “holiday” pay rate.