Pac-10 Reaffirms Stance Against Proposed Playoff

Also against 'plus one' structure

June 7, 2007

Courtesy of Pac-10

WALNUT CREEK, Calif.--Support for a proposed new NCAA governance structure, adoption of a program of diversity leadership initiatives and opposition to any form of playoff system in college football were among the positions adopted on issues addressed at the recently concluded summer meeting of the Pacific-10 Conference Presidents and Chancellors and Council.

The Pac-10 supported the proposed new NCAA governance structure for Division I, which provides for smaller, more issue-oriented cabinets and a Leadership Council charged with more effectively advising the NCAA Board of Directors.

The Conference adopted several proposals from the Pac-10 Diversity Leadership Initiative Committee chaired by professor Myles Lynk of Arizona State.  Funding of more than $88,000 annually was approved to enable participation by individuals from Pac-10 institutions in two NCAA programs dedicated to leadership development among ethnic minorities and females and for ethnic minorities and females from Pac-10 institutions to participate in the Sports Management Institute program.  Ten individuals will be sponsored each year.  In addition, the Pac-10 Constitution was amended to include "Diversity among student-athletes, coaches and sports administrators" among the Conference values in its Statement of Purpose.

The Presidents and Chancellors reaffirmed their strong opposition to any form of football playoff for the Football Bowl Subdivision, including any so-called "Plus One" structure, noting support for the current Bowl Championship Series structure for college football's postseason, along with the other bowls which provide postseason opportunities for many teams and student-athletes.

The Presidents and Chancellors also supported new NCAA legislation adopted in April to enhance student-athlete academic performance in the sport of baseball, and urged the NCAA Board of Directors to oppose any attempt to change its priorities in the area of academic performance.

The Conference selected USC's Galen Center as the site for the 2009 and 2010 Pac-10 Women's Basketball Tournament, which will make Los Angeles the site for both the men's and women's tournaments in those years.  The women's event will be conducted at San Jose's HP Pavilion in 2008.

New Conference officers were named for the 2007-08 academic year.  Don Morrison of UCLA will serve as Conference President, with Sandy Barbour of California and Kathleen "Rocky" LaRose of Arizona serving as Vice Presidents.  Stanford University President Dr. John L. Hennessy has succeeded V. Lane Rawlins, recently retired president at Washington State University, as Chair of the Conference's CEO Group.