John Haeussler posted the URL on INFO-HOCKEY-L for news about the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee meetings, held back in July. For those of you not on the info list, here it is: > http://www.ncaa.org/news/19970804/active/3429n11.html Some interesting stuff in this press release, or whatever it is, including the two highlights John mentioned. >The major news is that the NCAA selection criteria will remain >unchanged for 1998, although the committee agreed to >evaluate alternatives to the "results of the last 20 games" >criterion. > >Also, games versus emerging programs (i.e. new) will not be >included when calculating the rating percentage index (RPI). The actual text is "... the committee also voted that games against emerging programs (institutions starting new hockey programs that are not eligible for championship competition) would not be considered. The action was taken in an effort to assist the institutions with emerging programs in establishing quality schedules." So playing games against a "new" Div. I program will not adversely affect your RPI. I wonder what "new" means... is Niagara, starting their second year of Div. I competition (playing in the Div. III ECAC West and not scheduling enough games against Div. I foes to be eligible for the Div. I tourney) still considered "new"? I assume a game against a team like Canisius, which is also Div. I but not eligible for the postseason, *would* count in the RPI, since Canisius has been around for several years. When is a "new" program not a "new" program? It's not like the NCAA to be so vague :-) A few other notes: the committee "...agreed to implement a detailed effort to educate coaches and the public about the selection process." Well, a tip of the hat to them if they follow through with this. The effort is long overdue. Maybe they could contract with certain HOCKEY-L gurus to handle the education process :-) "Reiterated its policy that, whenever possible, conference matchups in the first round of the championship should be avoided." In other words, avoid the rush and start griping now, 'cause your team is going to get shafted. All four conferences will receive two automatic berths to the postseason in 1998. Also, "...the committee noted the establishment of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for hockey." I confess I'm not sure what that is. Has this been around for a while and is just coming to the attention of the committee? Or is it a for-real new conference, perhaps the long-rumored fifth Div. I league? (I think I've heard of the MAAC in basketball/football) -- Disclaimer -- Unless otherwise noted, all opinions expressed above are strictly those of: Bill Fenwick Cornell '86 and '95 LET'S GO RED!! DJF 5/27/94 "They're multi-purpose. Not only do they put the clips on, they also take them off." -- Defense contractor, explaining why his company charged the Pentagon $1,000 for a pair of pliers (from "The 776 Stupidest Things Ever Said") HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to [log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.