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Coalition/BCS Press Conference Opening Statement Press Conference
Opening Statement Coalition/BCS Meeting in Miami We would like to thank everyone for your interest in today's meeting. Allow me first to thank NCAA President Myles Brand for facilitating this meeting. Today after substantial discussions, we have an agreement on a framework for a significant, positive change in Division I-A postseason play. We are extremely pleased with the level of collegiality and accommodation that has led to the conclusions we announce today. We have substantially increased the opportunities for Division IA colleges to participate in BCS bowl games. We have adjusted revenue distribution formulas to recognize the participation of those institutions not presently in the BCS conferences. We have agreement in principle to eliminate any adverse consequences of branding that may have unintentionally resulted from the present contractual arrangements. And we've agreed in principle to broaden significantly the involvement of all Division IA conferences in the design and administration of the BCS. There will be the addition of a fifth bowl game, if the market supports it. There was no active discussion of a championship playoff. And we are convinced that this set of arrangements will lead to greater participation of a larger number of student-athletes in the BCS bowls, and will help all Division IA institutions. Details of the plan are being worked out and will be released after the full concurrence of the conferences. But we are confident that we have created a framework for discussion that will benefit all the institutions and students. This arrangement begins at the end of the current BCS contracts. The following presidents and chancellors participated in today's meeting: Representing the Bowl Championship Series Presidential Oversight Committee were: President David Frohnmayer, University of Oregon; Chancellor Harvey Perlman, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, North Carolina State University; President Graham Spanier, Pennsylvania State University; President David Hardesty, West Virginia University; Chancellor Robert Khayat, University of Mississippi; and Father Edward Malloy, Notre Dame President. Representing the Coalition Presidents were: Scott S. Cowen, President of Tulane University; Kermit Hall, President of Utah State University; Stephen Weber, President of San Diego State University; John Welty, President of Fresno State University; John Peters, President of Northern Illinois University; and Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University. NCAA President Myles Brand - Facilitator For more information contact: Mary Griswold Deborah Grant Mike Strecker |