What would make a Championship Model Successful?

For about a year now, the NCCS committee has been discussing the concept of changing the format of our national competitions from an Open Model of competition, where any team can participate in our national championship, to a Championship Model, where teams must qualify to compete at the national tournament. In a recent conference call, the committee agreed to move forward with the concept – to look at implementing a Championship Model for all of our national championships. Within those same discussions, there was a majority opinion that a Hybrid Model might work best, where a Championship Tournament takes place alongside an open tournament, at the same facilities, at the same time. I call this the Soccer Model, because it is currently employed with great success in our Soccer Championships.

A somewhat modified format exists for our tennis championships, where teams qualify at sectional tournaments. Moreover, non-qualifying teams that have competed in a sectional tournament can sign up for the national tournament on a first come, first served basis.

That leaves volleyball, flag football and basketball. Well, volleyball seems to be the furthest from this structure, where a very successful national tournament employs an open tournament format. Let’s leave that one alone for a while. Mr. Gary Colberg will be joining us at the summit in a couple of weeks to help us understand how this might or might not work in a future NCCS volleyball tournament.

That leaves football and basketball – two traditional “extramural” events – as the most likely tournaments to be initially transitioned. But what are the issues that we need to consider in this transition? Why do it? And how do we make a National Championship Tournament successful in this format?

Let’s make the case for the transition.

· Creates a true national championship
· Emphasizes participation in our regional tournaments
· Financial support to regional winners may be only avenue for teams to compete at the national level, thus increasing interest at the regional level
· Creates a unique collegiate tournament experience
· Creates a financial infrastructure that can help support the national tournament
· This format is more attractive to corporate America, increasing the likelihood of attracting and keeping important partners in the business world.
· For some schools, this format validates their student participation in national sports programs, creating greater opportunity for institutional financial support for their participating teams.
· We have the ability and flexibility to offer a Hybrid Model

Let’s make a case against transition:

· Why change? What we have works.
· A Championship format abandons our traditional roots – our philosophy of open participation for all.
· Emphasizing regional tournament play will put a greater burden on regional tournament hosts.
· It takes a lot of money to make this work – particularly if we provide travel stipends to regional champions (and runners-up).

Now, we understand that this shift to a Championship Model isn’t enthusiastically accepted by everyone. We also understand that this model may not be the best format for all of our championships; and that, even if it is, the timeline for transitioning to this model varies greatly between our championships. That’s why we are posting it here.

The NCCS Committee is interested in your thoughts. Please feel free to provide your opinions on this topic and/or new variables to consider when its time to reach a decision. The only thing we ask is that your comments:

1. Are on task to the matter at hand;
2. Provide input based on facts and not conjecture (if you need information, please email me…I’m happy to provide what I can); and
3. Are conducive to follow up comments.

Our summit occurs July 28-30, and we will discuss this issue extensively. The committee would appreciate any perspective you can provide prior to those dates.