More Championship participation for Student-Athletes in Division 2

The NCAA Division II Management Council has approved recommendations to the division's 2004-05 and 2005-06 operating budgets, which will create more than 1,400 additional championship participation opportunities for its student-athletes.

The 2004-05 championships budget is slated to increase by $1.4 million, with funds to be used for bracket expansion in football, women's volleyball, field hockey and men's and women's track & field, while the 2005-06 championship budget will increase by $1 million, with funds to be used for bracket expansion in baseball and softball. The additional funding will cover expenses resulting from the increased participation opportunities, and other costs related to general operations for these specific Division II championships.

Important increases include:

The playoff bracket in football will expand from 16 to 24 teams beginning in fall 2004, which amounts to approximately 480 additional participation opportunities for student-athletes.

The postseason bracket in volleyball will expand from 48 to 64 teams beginning in fall 2004, which will result in approximately 224 additional participation opportunities for student-athletes.