Arizona State head coach Herbie Behm proposed a new idea on NCAA Championship qualifications, with dual meet wins giving teams three individual spots. Only the fastest 270 men and 322 women would still make the meet though.
A more detailed breakdown on Behm’s idea would have all Division I schools compete in six dual meets during the “regular season.” Under the current model, some schools compete in as little as two “dual” meets where others compete in upwards of ten. After the dual meet season would be a conference championship and NCAA championship.
NCAA rosters would be built off of dual meet wins, with a dual meet win giving a team three individual athletes added to an NCAA roster. Loses do not add any NCAA roster spots. This would allow an undefeated team to build a roster of up to 18 athletes, which is the current NCAA limit. With this idea, Behm also emphasizes the importance of still taking the top 270 men and 322 women, meaning the overall number of athletes would stay the same.
Behm addressed some questions in the comment section. One comment asked “Would this lessen the importance of conference championship meets? Would there be qualifying opportunities at conference champ meets? Also, would qualifying times still be in place?” but Behm replied, “Same qualifying procedures as currently in place (must hit time & be in top 270/322) but roster limited by dual meet record. Times at conference championship will count so current importance will not be lowered.”
Another commenter asked, “Like the idea. However, won’t top teams be discouraged from racing other top teams in season? Losing to a NCAA rival at a dual meet would mean certain loss at nationals (being down three roster spots), so teams wouldn’t risk having exciting schedules.” Behm replied, “I think we should require 3 in-conference meet and 3 “equally ranked opponents.” So team within 5 places of last year’s finish. NCAA should dictate the schedule and require head-to-head competition all season long.”
As far as mid-majors vs Power 4 goes, one person asked, “Is this Just Power 4 teams? What about Mid Majors?” Behm replied, “I think 3 in-conference meets and 3 out of conference meets with some type of strength of schedule requirement but yes, all D1 teams having the same season requirements.”
With dual meets giving NCAA roster spots in this idea, Behm also addressed the fact that some dual meets end in a tie which means a tiebreaker would need to be addressed.
