NCAC Championship & Postseason Tournament Philosophy

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NCAC Championship and Postseason Tournament Philosophies
 
NCAC regular-season competition determines the conference champion in all sports that conduct a conference schedule (mainly team sports). NCAC sports without a conference schedule determine their conference champion through a championship event (mainly individual sports). 
 
In select sports the NCAC conducts additional postseason tournaments primarily to determine the conference’s automatic quali?er into the NCAA Championships. NCAC postseason tournaments provide a valuable experience and competitive opportunity for participating teams and/or individuals. NCAC postseason tournaments enhance the importance of the regular season inasmuch as qualifying for the tournament itself, securing an opportunity to host, and/or improving one’s seeding are goals that ensure that nearly every regular-season game is meaningful.
 
Under the direction of the NCAC Presidents’ Council, the Conference conducts championship and postseason tournament competition based on the following philosophies:
 
1. NCAC institutions/teams should embrace conference competition and excellence within the league.
 
2. The student-athlete experience should be paramount when determining tournament and championship formats.
 
  • Ticket revenue, fan attendance and/or media exposure are not the most critical factors in determining the manner in which an NCAC tournament is to be conducted but they can be considered, especially for logistical and safety concerns.
 
3. NCAC Postseason Tournaments are a privilege and a competitive goal. Postseason Tournaments should be highly selective events.
 
4. The culture of each sport will be considered when making any exception to championship and postseason tournament philosophies, policies, and procedures in order to treat each sport in an equitable manner.
 
  • Equitable does not always mean identical. The manner in which a sport generally contests and schedules its games (e.g., does a sport routinely play tournaments, or double header contests vs single games?), as well as considerations such as weather and regular season schedule formats, may lead to differences in tournament formats.
 
5. Championship or Postseason Tournament determinations on how a postseason event is to be conducted (e.g., bracket size, location) should be based on factors that are relatively static (e.g., missed class time and costs) and not on factors that are ?uid from one year to the next (e.g., competitive parity, etc.).
 
6. It is preferred that the NCAC conduct championship and postseason tournaments at campus facilities in order to position the events within the greater campus community.
 
  • The Conference is/has been receptive to considering off-campus venues and/or locations that will either: (a) accommodate any health and safety concerns or (b) facilitate administration and  or completion of the event.
 
Approved 12/23