Back in 2003 I believe it was, the TISAC put forth the proposal of bringing all the basketball championships to a single location. The reasoning was two-fold: 1. Create an "event" for the fans of NCISAA basketball, and 2. to give the NCISAA leverage with the host city/region in terms of economic impact.
Other considerations included the reality that having all the championships in one region permitted one group of schools to deal with the event on a rotating basis. The old system of having the three championships in three different regions often put a strain on every group of schools every year and created situations in which ADs and coaches were expected to host an event in one region but also participate in another event in another region. The logistics were tough.
Another consideration were the legitimate complaints from schools west of I-77 and east of I-95. These schools were often travelling over 5 hours just to play a basketball game. Costs were high and fan support suffered. Indeed, the casual fan was not going to drive from Rocky Mount to Asheville, but he/she might drive from Rocky Mount to Greensboro or from Asheville to Greensboro.
The original proposal tried to address all these issues: The combined championships were to be played in a corridor stretching from I-77 east to I-95. No championships were to take place east of I-95 or west of I-77. Additionally, the combined championships were to rotate among three regions: Raleigh-Durham; Charlotte; and the Triad.
Soon after the proposal went into effect with the first combined championship hosted in Raleigh by the TISAC, Asheville was added to the list of regions published in the handbook. I don't know who made that change or why that change was made, but since I was in Wake County at the time it didn't really bother me. Additionally, the likelihood of the team I coached at that time making it to the championship weekend was slim to none. Thus the issue sailed over my head. I had bigger issues to deal with, like explaining to our administration why schools with 8 basketball teams had later practice times than public schools with only 4 teams. But, I digress.
Now that I'm back east of I - 95 the travel distances in this large state have become more relevant to me as I once again hear the complaints of travelling all the way to Asheville for a basketball game. A game that will be sparsely supported by the small schools that have to make that trek.
Thus, I am calling for a return to the original proposal of using the three central locations: Raleigh-Durham; Charlotte; Triad.
If that is not feasible, and I'm sure someone is already gnashing their teeth about it, then I think it is only fair that the combined championships be moved east of I - 95 for the 2015-2016 school year and that the east be added in the rotation going forward.
I know the TIC would take up the challenge, but other conferences (the CRC for example) would surely be an option as well.
Just something to think about on this cold February day.
Other considerations included the reality that having all the championships in one region permitted one group of schools to deal with the event on a rotating basis. The old system of having the three championships in three different regions often put a strain on every group of schools every year and created situations in which ADs and coaches were expected to host an event in one region but also participate in another event in another region. The logistics were tough.
Another consideration were the legitimate complaints from schools west of I-77 and east of I-95. These schools were often travelling over 5 hours just to play a basketball game. Costs were high and fan support suffered. Indeed, the casual fan was not going to drive from Rocky Mount to Asheville, but he/she might drive from Rocky Mount to Greensboro or from Asheville to Greensboro.
The original proposal tried to address all these issues: The combined championships were to be played in a corridor stretching from I-77 east to I-95. No championships were to take place east of I-95 or west of I-77. Additionally, the combined championships were to rotate among three regions: Raleigh-Durham; Charlotte; and the Triad.
Soon after the proposal went into effect with the first combined championship hosted in Raleigh by the TISAC, Asheville was added to the list of regions published in the handbook. I don't know who made that change or why that change was made, but since I was in Wake County at the time it didn't really bother me. Additionally, the likelihood of the team I coached at that time making it to the championship weekend was slim to none. Thus the issue sailed over my head. I had bigger issues to deal with, like explaining to our administration why schools with 8 basketball teams had later practice times than public schools with only 4 teams. But, I digress.
Now that I'm back east of I - 95 the travel distances in this large state have become more relevant to me as I once again hear the complaints of travelling all the way to Asheville for a basketball game. A game that will be sparsely supported by the small schools that have to make that trek.
Thus, I am calling for a return to the original proposal of using the three central locations: Raleigh-Durham; Charlotte; Triad.
If that is not feasible, and I'm sure someone is already gnashing their teeth about it, then I think it is only fair that the combined championships be moved east of I - 95 for the 2015-2016 school year and that the east be added in the rotation going forward.
I know the TIC would take up the challenge, but other conferences (the CRC for example) would surely be an option as well.
Just something to think about on this cold February day.
