[yvonne]

I am not that concerned about the Learfield thing.  I suspect Stanford will get enough points that others in the top 5 can't get that it will be OK and the relative value of placing 2nd-10th is rather arbitrary and often inconsistent between sports.  Excluding football for a moment, California, Oregon and Under Stanford Control all have had better NCAA sports results than Stanford this year.

However, I do fear that the annual NCAA team title run is in jeopardy.  And that is a string of success based on an actual set of championship accomplishments.

If either run were to end this year, it should present an excellent opportunity for our AD to really sound the alarm. There should be a passionate call for more alumni financial support and undergrad community support for all of the sports that are not played in Stanford Stadium.  Sadly, that might be a hard message for any first year AD to deliver since that person would lack the time in the community that would be needed to really personalize the call to action.

Our AD's alarm, "But we were so close..."

[yvonne]

I am not that concerned about the Learfield thing.  I suspect Stanford will get enough points that others in the top 5 can't get that it will be OK and the relative value of placing 2nd-10th is rather arbitrary and often inconsistent between sports.  Excluding football for a moment, California, Oregon and Under Stanford Control all have had better NCAA sports results than Stanford this year.

However, I do fear that the annual NCAA team title run is in jeopardy.  And that is a string of success based on an actual set of championship accomplishments.

If either run were to end this year, it should present an excellent opportunity for our AD to really sound the alarm. There should be a passionate call for more alumni financial support and undergrad community support for all of the sports that are not played in Stanford Stadium.  Sadly, that might be a hard message for any first year AD to deliver since that person would lack the time in the community that would be needed to really personalize the call to action.

Our AD's alarm, "But we were so close..."

[Farm93]

Speaking of close...
Why, why, why is the Women's Water Polo championship in Boston?

Let's review the brackets..5 California schools, 1 from Hawaii, 1 from New York, 1 from New Jersey.  I know the NCAA wants to expand interest, but this is silly and costly.

BTW - If geographic expansion is the game, then why are the Men's Lacrosse championships never outside of a small group of mid-atlantic states?  Same rules should apply bring that west.  Make them entertain us.

I will look forward to attending that Syracuse vs. Johns Hopkins final in San Diego or Sacramento in 2015!  ;)

[Farm93]

Speaking of close...
Why, why, why is the Women's Water Polo championship in Boston?

Let's review the brackets..5 California schools, 1 from Hawaii, 1 from New York, 1 from New Jersey.  I know the NCAA wants to expand interest, but this is silly and costly.

BTW - If geographic expansion is the game, then why are the Men's Lacrosse championships never outside of a small group of mid-atlantic states?  Same rules should apply bring that west.  Make them entertain us.

I will look forward to attending that Syracuse vs. Johns Hopkins final in San Diego or Sacramento in 2015!  ;)

[Robbie]

Speaking of close...
Why, why, why is the Women's Water Polo championship in Boston?

Let's review the brackets..5 California schools, 1 from Hawaii, 1 from New York, 1 from New Jersey.  I know the NCAA wants to expand interest, but this is silly and costly.

Since 2001 (the first year of the Women's championship) there have been twelve championships. All 24 teams in the championship game have come from California. But the game itself has been held in Michigan twice, Maryland once, as well as Massachusetts this year.

Likewise for the men, since 2001 all 24 teams in the championship game have come from California, but the championship was held in Pennsylvania once.

By contrast, the men's lacrosse championship has been held only in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

The women's final has been held in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Maryland. The dominant team has been Northwestern, which is from outside of that region.

(This is, I suppose, nothing compared to the Frozen Four, which was held in Tampa in 2012. That's a stupid place to play that tournament.)

Why does water polo get less deference as a regional sport than lacrosse?

[Robbie]

Speaking of close...
Why, why, why is the Women's Water Polo championship in Boston?

Let's review the brackets..5 California schools, 1 from Hawaii, 1 from New York, 1 from New Jersey.  I know the NCAA wants to expand interest, but this is silly and costly.

Since 2001 (the first year of the Women's championship) there have been twelve championships. All 24 teams in the championship game have come from California. But the game itself has been held in Michigan twice, Maryland once, as well as Massachusetts this year.

Likewise for the men, since 2001 all 24 teams in the championship game have come from California, but the championship was held in Pennsylvania once.

By contrast, the men's lacrosse championship has been held only in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

The women's final has been held in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Maryland. The dominant team has been Northwestern, which is from outside of that region.

(This is, I suppose, nothing compared to the Frozen Four, which was held in Tampa in 2012. That's a stupid place to play that tournament.)

Why does water polo get less deference as a regional sport than lacrosse?