Nats 2010...in December

It'll be an interesting national championships next fall, as Louisville hosts yet another NCAA Division II social engineering experiment, the National Championships Festival.

Last held in Houston (where some rasslers rioted) and previously (I think) in Tampa, Fla., next year's festival should prove problematic for some due to its date: Nov. 30 - Dec. 4. Unless the powers-that-be do something really whacky, like race in the middle of the week, the championship will be on Saturday, Dec. 4. That would be two weeks after this year's traditional weekend.

Aren't the D2 presidents trying to limit the length of season through their "Life in Balance" initiative? Other thoughts?

'Cross nats return to Evansville

While Albuquerque gets the D2 indoor meet for the next two years, cross will return to Evansville, Ind., for 2009.

I was there for the 2004 meet -- hosted by Southern Indiana -- when Western State again defeated their in-state rivals during the Mountaineers years of dominance (it was their fifth title in six years). A flat start and finish is interrupted by some sharp hills in the woods. It was one of those particularly sharp ones that Western flexed its muscle and won handily.

As you may recall, the NCAA has proposed another fall sports "festival" in 2010 -- and may push the championship race into December.

Festival

I see the NCAA is touting its "festival" concept again, which includes D2 indoor nats. Do they feel like wrestling, swimming and indoor track and field aren't compelling enough to stand by themselves?

I especially like this comment from the chairman of some committee: "I hear from colleagues and administrators who also tell me that the festival has created a state of mind in which student-athletes set the event as a team goal."

Hmmm. I just remember wanting to compete.

Perhaps the Olympic-like atmosphere will inspire. Best of luck to all.