FB: Northwest Conference

[bluenote]

Either that or make the final regional rankings public so that there isn't this big veil of secrecy involved in the process.  Done on this topic...Whitworth got screwed, there's no way around it...

Well.....I'm not sure that the issue is dead. Not when I heard that Redlands coach...Mr. Maynard is on the selection committee.    I'm sure the Whitworth people will be looking into this further......

[criswyly]

Not everyone who wrote Mr. Burrows wrote the same question...I just plainly asked...what is fair about excluding the NWC rep when the WIAC was already in?

Without the AQ it's all subjective anyway.

[(509)Rat]

I can't keep quiet on this particular subject but I will limit this post to two points/topics...

1.  From what I've heard (and this came from two staff members who were on the west regional committee) when everything was all said and done Saturday night, Whitworth was ranked 6 in the west...UWEC was 8.  Both of these people have ties with the Whitworth staff and would have no reason to lie to them.  It also goes without saying that both of these people were very surprised to learn that Whitworth didn't make the playoffs.  Knowing this brings me to point number...

2.  It is seemingly becoming more and more obvious that more than just "numbers" were at play here.  I mean, according to the NCAA's own regional rankings, and according to the statement made year after year that in-region winning % is one of THE main criteria in playoff selection...Whitworth should have gotten the bid.  What I want from the NCAA at this point is a statement to be released to Whitworth University stating that the real reason they were left out was due to money.  Does it suck?  Absolutely, but the NCAA is a business and it does lose money on D III athletics...I get it.  But for them to hide behind some supposed magical formula that left an 8-1, conference champ at home is cheap.  Look, these kids at this level are VERY intelligent and I think every one of them can see behind that front that you as a selection committee continue to hide behind.  Just be honest with these kids, they deserve to know the truth no matter what that may be.

[criswyly]

(509) Rat gets points from me from now until the beginning of next season.

[Foss]

Interesting post that caught my eye, particularly the last line:

I could make that call because Whitworth went undefeated thru a good conference and lost to the #5 team in the first week.  In-region 7-1 is as aggressive a schedule at they could reasonably have in the NWC.  They schedule the home-and-home with UW-Stout for '06 and '07.

These are inflammatory words, but I think that Ithaca got the old "eastern bias".   Three from the E8, and none from the NWC! 

(Whitworth was actually 8-1 in-region, but that's not my point). I think it's safe to say that this opinion/observation comes from a very respected poster, one who isn't even from the NWC. Granted, one of the E8 conference teams received an auto bid, but two received Pool C bids. One of their Pool C teams was very deserving. The other, Ithaca, had two regional losses, including a 21 point drubbing at home. This was another team that was on the bubble that the committee chose to take to the dance (the third team from one conference, as Ralph points out) while a one loss NWC champ stays home.

[bluenote]

Thanks for pointing that out Foss. It kind of turns your stomach when you think about how pathetic that is. They need to come out with a statement that proves their position as to why UWEC and this Ithica team made the playoffs ahead of Whitworth.... or they have absolutely no credibility as far as I am concerned.

[Olinemom]

I don't think that 1 conference should have 3 in if the NWC champion doesn't even get a smell.  That stinks.  And I've seen the names and associations of the people on the committee.  Things become clearer when you do. 

Like we say in the south, the Cats will rise again!!!  Phone it in!  Text it!!  Fax it!  But the CatDome will rock next year!!!

[bluenote]

Thanks Onlinemom...can you tell us where to find the list? Hope all is well with you!

[Wildcat'64]

(509) Rat,

If your "inside" source is correct, and as you say they have no reason to lie, this is absolutely a deplorable situation.  An
investigation of this committees conduct needs to be opened by someone or some entity.  Unless the committee can issue a statement that identifies why this decision was reached and that makes any rationale sense, the issue should not be dropped.  For a team that had 2 regional losses be invited and a team from a tough conference with 1 regional loss to stay home.....just does not pass the smell test.

+Karma for your efforts in doing a little "homework".....These boys have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar!

[Pat Coleman]

The national committee is permitted to overrule the regional committees in terms of rankings at any time, and I think this actually may happen fairly regularly, for what it's worth.

[D O.C.]

I will NEVER forget the Lew Alcindor rule that those august gents at the NCAA came up with so this c*** floats too.

DOC Chapman would be nice don't you think?

AGAIN, to quote Neil Young "Shoulda been done long ago"

I'm sure there are plenty of them out there that are at least as good as Puget Sound.

There are, by fact, not. LINFIELD has played them all. (hmmm, except Chapman, I believe) The NCAA looks at the west coast as one 15-team league it appears. That's right, only 15 teams west of the Rockies. (It's late, if I miscalculated)

I'm thanking God that our 4-year starter is gone after this year.  After 4 years, he still plays like he did during his 1st year.  He holds a lot of records because he's played in so many games and he's a great kid and a nice kid but I don't see us going all that far with him under center.  I think we'll at least beat Redlands. – chewey

It does seem just like weeks ago you folks were doubting him when he took over the team. Four years, eh?

Still no answer from Pat or Keith......I thought they had connections?   

If you haven't already you are going to receive "got better things to do than your beck and call."

OH! There it is now that I've gone back to read the pages I'd missed while away from my terminals.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

So here is the bottom line on the Rat issue.  Commitee rules are not really rules they are guidelines.  As in the corporate world, guidelines are just that, guidelines and can be changed if you know the right people that are positioned up the ladder.  It goes on like this day in and day out, ie national committee VS regional committee. So in that case why even have rules or in this case guidelines.  As I stated in an earlier post it is about the reputation and the money (NCAA income potential) of the program under consideration, not in all cases just some.  It is now crystal clear. 

This will get spun many different ways but there will be no statement issued, no apology for mistakes made.  What is done in the back room by the NCAA power players is a done deal.  All we can do is FLUSH IT, BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT SMELLS

As for me Im behind Redlands to make a statement for all of us out west.

Gig  out. 

I have to get in to my corporate office and work on guidelines and such !!!  And all of you thought that I was an unemployed redneck that lives in a single wide with my hound doggie Mojo !!!!

[Touchdown Tommy]

So here is the bottom line on the Rat issue.  Commitee rules are not really rules they are guidelines.  As in the corporate world, guidelines are just that, guidelines and can be changed if you know the right people that are positioned up the ladder.  It goes on like this day in and day out, ie national committee VS regional committee. So in that case why even have rules or in this case guidelines.  As I stated in an earlier post it is about the reputation and the money (NCAA income potential) of the program under consideration, not in all cases just some.  It is now crystal clear. 

This will get spun many different ways but there will be no statement issued, no apology for mistakes made.  What is done in the back room by the NCAA power players is a done deal.  All we can do is FLUSH IT, BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IT SMELLS

As for me Im behind Redlands to make a statement for all of us out west.
Gig  out. 

I have to get in to my corporate office and work on guidelines and such !!!  And all of you thought that I was an unemployed redneck that lives in a single wide with my hound doggie Mojo !!!!

Don't hold your breath GHC...

BTW: 11 tells me you are gonna do some furniture shopping on Saturday!!!

Also, Dens you've been acknowledged on the MIAC board.  Appreciate your concerns for Touchdown T.  My official rankings for the top posters in the NWC will be released in a few weeks...

[George Thompson]

I can't keep quiet on this particular subject but I will limit this post to two points/topics...

1.  From what I've heard (and this came from two staff members who were on the west regional committee) when everything was all said and done Saturday night, Whitworth was ranked 6 in the west...UWEC was 8.  Both of these people have ties with the Whitworth staff and would have no reason to lie to them.  It also goes without saying that both of these people were very surprised to learn that Whitworth didn't make the playoffs.  Knowing this brings me to point number...

2.  It is seemingly becoming more and more obvious that more than just "numbers" were at play here.  I mean, according to the NCAA's own regional rankings, and according to the statement made year after year that in-region winning % is one of THE main criteria in playoff selection...Whitworth should have gotten the bid.  What I want from the NCAA at this point is a statement to be released to Whitworth University stating that the real reason they were left out was due to money.  Does it suck?  Absolutely, but the NCAA is a business and it does lose money on D III athletics...I get it.  But for them to hide behind some supposed magical formula that left an 8-1, conference champ at home is cheap.  Look, these kids at this level are VERY intelligent and I think every one of them can see behind that front that you as a selection committee continue to hide behind.  Just be honest with these kids, they deserve to know the truth no matter what that may be.

(509)Rat,

Good points.    Please email the NCAA at: m:   "Burrow, Wayne" <wburrow@ncaa.org>

It of course won't help this year; but, the NCAA needs to know that the NWC is a strong one and excluding our conference champion, for any reason, was absurd.   

We all must remember, that next year or later, our 2nd best team might be excluded, even with just one loss.    We must let the NCAA know we were abused this year.

George
A Linfield fan

[wildcat11]

ADvantage Catdome has obtained some footage of the NCAA playoff committee smashing Whitworth's playoff bid.

Video: NCAA trucking the Rats 20007 Playoff Bid