Out of conference rules

[Hugh Nunn]

While I will grant the point that southern teams enjoy an advantage in the above respects, I would hope that the BOD stops short of legislating mandatory travel for At-Large bid qualification. Without the benefit of any research in this matter, I would guess that the majority of those in line for such a bid already comply. Those that aren't a threat to go to nationals wouldn't benefit from this rule anyway.

I mean, even GA Tech has travelled in recent years! Isn't that a sign of the Apocolypse, for gosh sake?

The thing is, even travel south isn't a guarantee. In 2003, FSU hosted CSU, VA Tech, and Florida only geting in half the games due to heavy rains (I STILL feel bad about that, Flip). Teams with the facilities that say, GA Tech has, are going to host a disproportionate anount of games for that reason alone. Are we now in business to penalize teams whose schools have a squared away club sports program?

My suggestion is this. Use the unofficial MDIA motto: "If you build it, they will come."

Timbalaned had it right in his post. Take care of business, and you won't have a terrible problem getting home and home agreements. There are enough teams out there that it should not be a herculean task to schedule an out of conference game. Here's a tip: Don't wait until the last minute to try to get these games scheduled. I was turning down ten to fifteen games a year because our league scheduling deadline had passed. Get it done as soon as possible after your league meeting, and keep in periodic contact with the teams.

I didn't mean for this to come out as a novel, but let's be realistic about the effects of adding even more to the budgets of teams, in the name of what smacks of some exercise in politically correctness.

[John Paul]

Don't worry. I can't see us mandating travel. It's never even come up. The warm weather teams have an advantage because teams will always come to them, but those teams that are coming are getting a real benefit as well - warm weather games in February and March.

Plus, what's been said already is true - if you build a tournament level team, you'll get OOC home games no matter where you are. Everyone wants quality games.

[Zeuslax]

I agree with both your statements. However, whether it was unintentional or not. The requirement for the B side to have 2 OOC games to qualify for an at large bid, has alleviated some of the travel issues. It has now created an atmosphere where teams want and need to get out on the road.