RE: And now for something entirely different..

["Ron Force" <rforce@moscow.com>]

> I'm wondering if the Vandals have a choice about remaining in the I-A
> division.  According to a 9/3/02 article by Tom Dienhart of The Sporting
> News (carried by MSNBC) new NCAA rules require an average home
> attendance of
> 15,000.  That's attendance, not tickets sold.  Does the Kibbie Dome hold
> that many?

Seating capacity is 16,500. Last year's home average in Martin Stadium, with
a couple of games in the Dome was 16,230.

>
> The other NCAA requirements that I-A schools must meet by 2004 include:
> (1) fund a minimum of 200 scholarships across the athletic department or
> spend at least $4 million on whatever number of scholarships is offered.

We spend $2.2 million on over 200 athletic scholarships.

> (2) Support at least 16 varsity sports, with a minimum of 6 for men and 8
> for women.

We're currently short one for women. Women's swimming will debut in 2004.

> (3) Play at least 5 home games against I-A foes.

Only have 4 this year. Next year we'll be "home" in Martin Stadium with WSU.

> Can the U of I meet these requirements?
> Jack
> ______________________________
> Jack Van Deventer
> jack@wsu.edu

The rules take effect in 2004.
The UI is far better off than a number of 1-A teams. Half the MAC, and about
1/4 of the WAC are far short of the attendance requirements. for example,
Kent State averaged 6,000 last year, San Jose, 10,000.

The big boys are doing everything they can to eliminate competition for the
TV dollar. They'll keep squeezing the rules until only the BCS is on the
tube.  "All Big 10, all the time".

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Ron Force	      	  rforce@moscow.com
Moscow Idaho USA
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