We have Bad Math when it comes to NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball post-season opportunities. The NCAA lists DI Women's Volleyball as a Head Count sport, along with DI FB/WBB/MBB (I am upset, so those other sports just get initials in today's post). It is my understanding that there may be another sport or two on the women's side which is also a Head Count sport, yet these tend to be individual oriented sports; golf, tennis, etc.
Some conferences and schools are brave enough to actually provide the label Flagship Sport to DI Women's Volleyball - that is like getting the Golden Ticket (but better the ticket comes from the school, as opposed to the conference because I have been at schools where they said no ticket for you!).
Let's return to Bad Math class:
NCAA Football lists 119 NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision teams (top level of Division I football) and there are 34 bowl games. 68 teams make the post season, which represents 57% of the sponsoring institutions.
NCAA Division I Men's Basketball has 343 schools. The NCAA Championship accepts 65 teams, while the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) accepts 32 teams. 97 teams play in a championship tournament representing 28% of sponsoring institutions.
NCAA Division I Women's Basketball has 340 teams. The NCAA Championship accepts 64 teams while the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) accepts 48 teams. 112 teams play in a championship tournament representing 33% of sponsoring institutions.
NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball has 329 teams. The NCAA Championship accepts 64 teams; there is no other event for Women's Volleyball (there used to be a National Invitational Volleyball Tournament (NIVT) but this was eliminated by a NCAA scheduling rule). 64 teams play in a championship tournament representing 19% of sponsoring institutions.
Bad Math - I call it March Madness for another reason.
Instead of Division I Women's Volleyball advocating for more posteason opportunities for a sport which carries one of the top graduation rates in the NCAA, we are actually reducing playing opportunities for female athletes because of the new scoring system.
I have a headache and I am going to bed - May you have a restful evening and a wonderful day.
