Dropped By Cal, Idaho Fights On For Full I-A Status
Idaho, which continues to push the NCAA for Division I-A football status, has been dropped from the University of California’s 1997 schedule.
“If I was in their position, I’d do the same thing,” UI athletic director Oval Jaynes said Tuesday. “The contract was null and void” because Idaho is classified I-AA, though it plays in the I-A Big West Conference and abides by I-A rules.
The rub? Games against Idaho don’t count toward the six-win bowl requirement.
Idaho is scrambling to find an 11th opponent. Jaynes is identifying schools, preferably I-As, that have an opening. If nothing can be worked out, the Vandals will be left with 10 regular-season games for the second time in three seasons.
Idaho apparently won’t receive any compensation from Cal, Jaynes said, leaving a reported $125,000 budget void.
“That’s part of the things you’ve gotta go through,” Jaynes said.
Meanwhile, Idaho, citing inconsistencies in the rules, has asked the NCAA for relief from the I-AA label that impairs its football scheduling.
Big West commissioner Dennis Farrell reviewed notes from the 1978 NCAA convention, which passed the rule allowing I-AAs to play under I-A regulations. Farrell said Idaho meets the spirit of the rule.
“The rationale was to allow schools to play I-A, maybe because of geographical reasons or maybe because they just wanted to play at a higher level of football, even if they didn’t meet the (I-A) criteria,” he said.
“The question is, if a school elects to abide by the 1978 rule, can they be considered a I-A opponent? Idaho is the first school I’m aware of that has elected to use the 1978 rule and there were no time constraints on it.”
The hangup is that another rule passed at the ‘78 convention set attendance and stadium-seating requirements that prevent Idaho from being classified I-A.
The purpose of the 1989-mandated, sixwin bowl requirement was to prevent I-As, which can offer 85 scholarships, from loading their schedules with I-AAs, which can offer up to 63 scholarships. Idaho offers between 75-78 scholarships, more than many I-A schools.
Farrell said the bowl rule was adopted by the NCAA council and not the full membership. “Does the council have the authority to pass a rule that is potentially contrary to a (1978) rule passed by membership?” Farrell asked.
Idaho’s administration and Farrell have discussed the issue with the NCAA in hopes of a favorable rules interpretation. The NCAA is likely to refer the matter to its council or an administrative committee.
“We’re not trying to go around I-A rules. We’re not trying some hanky-panky that allows Idaho to become a I-A without meeting legislation,” Farrell said. “What we’re asking is a good, honest question. Idaho has agreed to play under I-A rules, so why shouldn’t they be considered a I-A opponent?”
Cards move up
North Idaho College’s men’s basketball team swapped places with College of Eastern Utah in the latest NJCAA rankings after beating CEU last week.
NIC (21-3) moved up to No. 14 while CEU (21-4) dropped to 16th.
The NIC women (23-2) climbed from No. 16 to No. 15. Salt Lake (19-7) is rated 24th.
There wasn’t a new wrestling poll because teams competed in regional tournaments last weekend. NIC, No. 2 in the previous poll, qualified 10 wrestlers to the national tournament. Top-ranked Lassen, the defending national champions, qualified nine.
Wendt hurt
Idaho men’s basketball player Jarrett Wendt separated a shoulder during practice Monday and won’t play in this week’s road games against Utah State and Nevada.
Senior guard Reggie Rose, who had missed five weeks with a knee injury before returning last Tuesday, reinjured his knee Monday.
“It doesn’t appear to be anything major,” trainer Barrie Steele said.
Rose practiced Tuesday.
, DataTimes MEMO: Cut in Spokane edition