NCAA Attendance Rule

[Zippy989]

15k paid or actual every two years..

Also, 1A's can count a 1AA win for Bowl Eligibility EVERY YEAR..

Never again will 5 MAC teams go bowling...

Story below --

NCAA set to allow 12 football games

Attendance requirement is revised

The NCAA will allow football teams to play 12 games per year, but it won't enter the postseason playoff fray.

The board of directors approved proposals on Thursday that would add a 12th game to Division I-A schedules -- starting in 2006 -- allow schools to count one victory over Division I-AA schools each year toward bowl eligibility, and loosen the requirements to qualify for Division I-A status.

``The season will not be elongated, it just means the bye week would be taken out,'' NCAA president Myles Brand said. ``Nor will it lead to any additional midweek games.

``But I seriously suggest you take up the tournament situation with the BCS.''

Brand has supported academic reform since taking over as president in January 2003 and said Thursday that an additional football game each season won't create a problem.

Board chairman Robert Hemenway, the chancellor at Kansas, said schools could make more money with an extra game but he insisted that wasn't the only reason why the proposal passed.

``There was also a feeling that if you had another game, that it does give you some flexibility in your scheduling,'' he said. ``A school like Oklahoma State, for instance, could possibly play a game in Tulsa or Oklahoma City and play to that fan base.''

Brand said the extra money could also be used to help fund athletic departments that are losing money.

The board also adopted a resolution that strongly urged schools not to adopt the new Title IX Internet-based surveys, which the U.S. Department of Education said in March could be used to scientifically gauge whether schools must expand or create women's teams to meet demand.

``We felt that it was not true to the principles that have been in effect,'' Hemenway said.

The board also asked the NCAA executive committee to propose a comprehensive policy on alcohol advertising during college telecasts. Hemenway said the committee took that action after a lengthy discussion to include Division II and III events under any new standard.

Besides the 12th game, the NCAA will allow schools to count one victory over a I-AA opponent each year, starting this fall. Previously, schools could count one win every four years.

And smaller football programs, such as those in the Mountain West and Mid-American Conferences, also got good news. The NCAA will now allow schools to qualify for Division I-A if they average 15,000 in paid or actual attendance once every two years. Previously, schools had to have 15,000 in actual attendance.

[Kangaroo Craig]

Hopefully that MAC gets that third bowl in Toronto that they have been talking about. With the new rules it is going to be the only way our conference gets at least three teams bowling every year. Maybe an outside shot at a fourth at large, but only if a similar scenario like last year presents itself again. Counting that 1AA win is going to make it very difficult now.

[Dr Z]

from ESPN page 2

Let's play "Pimp My Athlete!"

In stunning chutzpah, the NCAA added a 12th game to college football's regular-season, then insisted its reasoning "was not just money."

Like Moe Szyslak: Whaaaaa?!

It's impossible to claim to be about the "student-athlete," then turn around and sell them out for an extra week's ticket and TV revenues.

And don't even get started on the ludicrous "12th game is OK, but a one-game playoff is NOT" flaw in reasoning....

The 12th game itself isn't even as bad as the institutional hypocrisy behind it. The group is treading awfully close to "Abolish the NCAA" time.

[Zipsrifle]

I read about this over on the BBS. IMO, we are still going to get screwed by this. Here's my take.

1) 12 games means that instead of the BCS guys getting 6 home games and 5 away, they will now get 7 home games and 5 away. The Non BCS guys will most likely have 6 home games MAX!

2) The rule change allows for 1 game against a DI-AA team that WILL COUNT towards a bowl. In other words, all of those BCS Schools that didn't make it this year will pick a DI-AA school to beat up and pad their record. No way we're going to get into a bowl easier.

3) It looks like they are going back to Paid attendence like before. This means that as long as someone pays for a seat, it will count. Isn't this what we were doing before so that we could meet requirements.

So, in a nutshell, everything is back to the way it used to be, but the big schools will now get MORE money and have an easier time making a bowl. Bottom line....Money talks, Bull$#!t walks.

[Wally B]

I see the change to the attendance rule as potentially bad. Yes, MAC teams will no longer have to worry about making the attendance mark, but then again, they don't have to worry about it.

Attendance to our beloved Zips games suffers for several reasons, and the location or condition of our rubber isn't one of them. Don't believe me check the attendance over at Can't's on campus stadium.

As I've stated before, the city agreed to cover ticket sales when the Zips went D1a. It was thought this would cover us over the lean years until we became established, then attendance would return to or exceede D1aa levels. Add to that a change in Deans office(happened at Can't too) and the focus was taken away from developing a quality program. I'm not absolving Faust (Solich Sr. ) , but I'm saying he had help. Very quickly, 1 win seasons and 2,000 yes 2,000 fans at some games were no longer a problem, the city had our . BTW I attended a McKinley -v- Massillon state playoff game at the bowl following just such a game. The announced attendance that evening was just over 44,000 . Standing room only, turning people away at the gate, came down to the last play, an awesome site except the Zips weren't playing. Nobody complained about the conditions either.

As I see it, the attendance rule needed tweeking, but not in this way. It served to put the MAC on notice and got the ball rolling. I only hope fast enough. Alas, our new found coverage on ESPN and the like will either keep us going, or depend on us keeping attendance up by ourselves!

To the naysayers on the MACbbs, this is where history and rivalries come into play. I am pleased to here that M(o) and Toledo had no interest in leaving the MAC. IMO The MAC is a tight and well designed league, and I see great things ahead. Reagrdless of the Date, I see the MAC rivalry week as a GREAT thing for us and the league. (Hope it works just as well in Michigan).

1last comment. Check out the stadium pictures over at the MAC bbs. Look for a packed Rubber bowl in the early 8o's. Remember, we were D1aa and . This is what tradition can and will do for us in the future!

M2C

[Wally B]

Another Topic!

The new D1aa policy totally screws every mid-major including the MAC . I only hope they will all wise up and band together.

I would like to see a Big East (They'll be out of the BCS shortly) MAC challenge every year sort of like the ACC/Big10 basketball version. Imagine what would happen if the BCS teams were forced to schedule 2 or 3 D1aa teams each year or substitute w/ other BCS teams . Some of those big boys would go down Hard! Football is a game about position and power. The same hold true for the schedule. What if a Big 10 team like Mich or tOSU started 1-2 in their OOC every year. w/ a 3-0 start their season like the coaches job is OVER!

Only then will the mids get a fare shot!

I'll drink to that

[Zipsrifle]

Wally,

You couldn't do this this day in age, but I was able to drive right up to the gate at the RB during that game. WOW, THAT was it a sight. The place was PACKED. I was at the UA game prior and they were waiting for that crapply little DI-A College game to get over to watch some REAL football.

Instead of everyone heading over to the BBS to take a look at the pics, I'll attach them below.

This one is my favorite photo OUTSIDE of the RB.

This is my favorite photo (and memory!) INSIDE the RB!

[RACER]

i have to agree this only helps the big boys. now they play 7 home, and five away.

most of the mac shcools will be lucky to get six home games. with the 12 games and counting 1 aa schools will only hurt mac schools chances at bowl bids. we could not get in last year; so unless we win the mac(or runner up) we may never see a bid.