2014 D3 Season: National Perspective

[PaulNewman]

Does the provision to allow the Fri/Sat option ALSO apply to the sectionals and final four?  I don't recall Fri/Sat set-ups for either and the dates on the bracket for later rounds do not suggest Fri/Sat as an option.  If this is correct, how could a school with a faith-based rule to not play on Sundays then do so in later rounds, or does that indicated 'preference' as opposed to 'requirement'

[Mr.Right]

I thought since 2004 when the Final 4 left for neutral sites it has always been Friday and Saturday

[Gregory Sager]

The religious accommodation rule is what it is, NCACNE. My understanding is that the championships committee would try to "work with" (i.e., strongly attempt to persuade) a member school that exercises a no-Sundays policy (e.g., Calvin, Wheaton IL) in order to make the schedule work without throwing the tournament into turmoil and costing everybody a lot of money -- money, incidentally, that is not earned back by this tournament but which is a product of D3's being the recipient of D1 football and men's basketball tournament revenue.

But the religious accommodation rule is actually pretty stringent in terms of which schools are qualified to invoke it. Even evangelical Christian schools that frown upon Sunday play -- and please note that not all of them do (North Park, for instance, plays on Sundays) -- may find themselves outside of the various requirements that the NCAA put into effect in order for a school to invoke the religious accommodation rule. This policy statement by Messiah is a good example of what I'm talking about.

[Mr.Right]

back to the Calvin pod at Hope. Why would these 4 teams still be playing at night in this weather? It looks to be below freezing out there and most likely would have been a little warmer with some sun out. The night game is for your home fans for the most part and since there really are not many home fans here why bother with the night games?

[KnightFalcon]

back to the Calvin pod at Hope. Why would these 4 teams still be playing at night in this weather? It looks to be below freezing out there and most likely would have been a little warmer with some sun out. The night game is for your home fans for the most part and since there really are not many home fans here why bother with the night games?

That's a great question ... was wondering myself as I ponder heading to Holland, MI Saturday to watch the game in the frigid weather.  Would have been nice to play it early afternoon. Calvin may still get a decent turnout as Hope is not that far away.

[KnightFalcon]

The religious accommodation rule is what it is, NCACNE. My understanding is that the championships committee would try to "work with" (i.e., strongly attempt to persuade) a member school that exercises a no-Sundays policy (e.g., Calvin, Wheaton IL) in order to make the schedule work without throwing the tournament into turmoil and costing everybody a lot of money -- money, incidentally, that is not earned back by this tournament but which is a product of D3's being the recipient of D1 football and men's basketball tournament revenue.

But the religious accommodation rule is actually pretty stringent in terms of which schools are qualified to invoke it. Even evangelical Christian schools that frown upon Sunday play -- and please note that not all of them do (North Park, for instance, plays on Sundays) -- may find themselves outside of the various requirements that the NCAA put into effect in order for a school to invoke the religious accommodation rule. This policy statement by Messiah is a good example of what I'm talking about.

Wow - I like what Messiah put together ... well thought out and acknowledges both sides of the issue as well as the fact that they had already set a precedent about playing on Sundays. I think it is a good resolution without discounting the values/beliefs of other institutions that may not agree

[Ryan Harmanis]

Calvin stuck in a tough one with Rose-Hulman, 0-0 at half. R-H looks better than they did last year against OWU - Calvin just saved one off the line at the end of the half.

[PaulNewman]

So have any sectionals been on Fri/Sat in recent years or not?

[PaulNewman]

Btw, regardless of how decision was made to move pod to Hope, seems pretty evident it was the right call.  The conditions are tough enough to not have a decent playing surface.

[wchandy22]

So have any sectionals been on Fri/Sat in recent years or not?

Yes . . . every sectional which has featured either Calvin or Wheaton (IL) have been played on FRI and SAT.  All other sectionals have been played on SAT and SUN.

[Mr.Right]

Btw, regardless of how decision was made to move pod to Hope, seems pretty evident it was the right call.  The conditions are tough enough to not have a decent playing surface.

See if Calvin base agrees with you..They are in a tight one with a team they should be beating

[PaulNewman]

Mr.Right, the better field totally favors Calvin in this one.....against OWU not so much.

So if Wheaton or Calvin are in Final 4 it will be Fri/Sat?

[Ryan Harmanis]

So have any sectionals been on Fri/Sat in recent years or not?

Yes . . . every sectional which has featured either Calvin or Wheaton (IL) have been played on FRI and SAT.  All other sectionals have been played on SAT and SUN.

I know I'm beating a dead horse but OWU has done it and there's no religious affiliation. The 2011 sectional was Friday/Saturday. But Hope was in that sectional so maybe that was the reason.

[Ryan Harmanis]

And Calvin vs. R-H is in overtime.

[Mr.Right]

soon to be PK's and a possible easy road for OWU to the elite 8