August 21, 2025 • 41 mins
FCS representatives held a press conference on Thursday ahead of the 2025 season, giving the media an opportunity to ask questions about the FCS playoffs and championship game.
In attendance were Chattanooga AD and FCS Championship Committee Chair Mark Wharton, Nashville Sports Council President Scott Ramsey, OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche, and NCAA Director of Championships Ty Halpin.
Here is audio from the presser.
In attendance were Chattanooga AD and FCS Championship Committee Chair Mark Wharton, Nashville Sports Council President Scott Ramsey, OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche, and NCAA Director of Championships Ty Halpin.
Here is audio from the presser.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello everybody, and we want to welcome you all to
our twenty twenty five FCS preseason press conference. I'm Jin Powers,
you're moderator for today. Glad to see everybody joining us
here this afternoon as football season is upon us and
we're really really excited about a lot of the things
coming down here in the FCS. But to introduce you
(00:24):
to our group here first, and then i'll explain how
the afternoon is the questions are going to go. First off,
we have Mark Wharton, the chair of the FCS Committee
and he is the athletic director at Chattanooga. We have
Beth the Bush, Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner and membership host
for the FCS Championship Game. Scott Ramsey, the executive director
(00:46):
of the Nashville Sports Council and FCS Championship game host,
and then ty Halpen NCAA director of Championships and FCSO oversights.
So what we're gonna do is we're gonna do some
opening remarks from everybody, and then once we do that,
we'll open it up for questions. What we'd like everybody
to do is please use the race hand function on
your on your zoom and then I will call you,
(01:08):
will unmute you, and you can ask any questions that
you have for our group. So let's kick it off. Mark,
thank you for your service. Great to see you again,
and we're excited for the twenty twenty five football season.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
I appreciate it. Thanks Jim, thanks everybody for being on
the call. Obviously, the FCS Committee is focused on the
selections and team considerations, you know, to make sure we
get it right, especially the getting the seating right and
obviously getting the twenty four best seams in the tournament.
(01:42):
The first committee meeting and orientation and getting everybody adjusted
will be next week. We have seven new members this year.
We'll spend quite a time early making sure the new
committee members are familiar with the committee process. This year
obviously is adding the IVY League taking its automatic qualifications,
(02:06):
which brings us to eleven AQ spots for the bracket,
which is new. Committee puts a premium, as we do,
and we'll do early in all season, but especially early
with the non conference schedule of those conferences that play
other conferences that are considered for the committee. We'll learn
(02:27):
a lot there and we put a really premium on
watching those games. We have about four clips a week
that the committee chooses that we look at. Also, we
do not use the Media Coaches Poll as part as
any of the SCS committee considerations. And also really working
(02:51):
closely with the regional Advisory committees to make sure that
their regions are really watched in looked at. That's a big,
huge part of what we do when we put our
rankings together in their considerations. But I just really excited
about this year, really excited about going to Nashville and
(03:13):
through the process and getting to November.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Great Mark appreciate it. Ty helping with the NCAA and
a couple of notes from a ncay's staff perspective. With
the committee, this will be our second year of seeding
the top sixteen in the bracket, and certainly our weekly
committee calls once we get to get through a few
games will be really important. Those mock selections that we're
(03:42):
also going to do, especially with as Mark noted, so
many new committee members were actually going to do at
least one mock selection, likely too, just as a committee
not to release anywhere, but part of the part of
the longer term that was used last year, the top
(04:03):
ten release that we did, we are going to add
another one of those times or the dates we are
a little bit up in the air at this point,
but somewhere around the mid season, and then another one
before we get too close to our selection weekend. Really
felt like that was helpful last year, and ESPN as
(04:25):
a partnership did a nice job of helping us release
those and got some attention for FCS, and we certainly
want to continue that, so we're going to add add
another release of those during the season, so be looking
for that. We'll we'll certainly release the dates when we
have those firmed up a little bit. Our host processes,
(04:47):
so obviously the visiting teams in our tournament really try
to try to make sure they have a good experience
and travel, et cetera. We do a lot of work
with the committee and with with our travel staff to
address as many things as we possibly can well before
selection weekend to be sure we know and understand what
(05:10):
conflicts maybe a host might have. Hotel certainly is a
big part of the process, so we're working again to
get as many of those things out in front of
us so we can understand what those issues could be
with a host as we move forward, and then in
some cases, some hosts are unavailable to host in early rounds,
(05:30):
so we again try to make sure we are well
prepared in advance before we get to that point the
weekend before selections for our selection weekend. A couple other
quick things the Nashville selection and future future bids. We
do plan to get through this first season in Nashville
(05:54):
for season with the championship game, and then probably about
a month month and a half or so, we'll send
out a new a new bid selection for the future.
Not one hundred percent sure yet how many years will
we will put that out for. But we are in
Nashville for the next two seasons, so the twenty six
championship game, in the twenty seven, twenty seven championship game,
(06:19):
and then we'll be out for bid for twenty eight
and beyond. But from that perspective, I'm gonna turn it
turn it to Scott here shortly. The only other thing
to note, tickets will go on sale for the general
public on Saturday, September sixth, and it's w The website
(06:40):
to go to is NCAA dot com slash tickets. You
can sign up to be on that list if your
fans fans in the general public can sign up now
to be on that list and get an opportunity to
purchase before the general public sale. So I want to
make sure that's reinforced on the call, But Scott, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Thanks Tye, and thanks Mark. And I think from a
national perspective, just a couple of comments, we're extremely appreciative
and very I guess appreciative of the opportunity that the
Committee afforded us and TIE to be able to host
this event. And we really understand as a national Championship game, uh,
(07:29):
the importance that this is to to FCS football. And
you know, I think as a host city, we uh,
we've done a lot of different events that we're going
to really uh kind of draw upon that experience and
and try to create an environment not just for the
players primarily, but also for the fans and the administration
uh and everybody uh that comes along with the FCS
(07:51):
National Championship Game to to have a great experience in Nashville.
You know, I think three or four things that we're
we've kind of focused on and our opportunity to host
an event that's been widely successful in Frisco is how
do we kind of build on that success and I
think some of those things for us is to how
do we use the Nashville assets to to you know,
(08:13):
to improve upon maybe some opportunities that we thought we
had a better situation for in Nashville than maybe some
of the other benning cities, which is pretty common when
you're looking at an event that's been somewhere for a
long time. So you know, first of all, I think
the player experience is something similar to to our Music
City Bowl, and that we have a hotel facility in
(08:35):
galeord opu Land that that can really not only host
both teams but really kind of hosts them with all
the amenities necessary for the coaches and the players to
really kind of focus in on the game, with separate entrances,
to separate transfer portals and in separate meeting space at
the same time, an indoor water park and some things
(08:56):
that that really allow the players have a great experience
while they're here. From a fan standpoint, we certainly want
to utilize downtown Nashville and connect that to Vanderbilt. We're
very appreciative of Vanderbilt's partnership and allowing us to use
a stadium. It's been newly renovated, so I think the
fan experience at Vanderbilt, with the new end zones and
the club seats and the improvements there will be noticed
(09:20):
and and certainly a chance maybe hopefully to grow attendance.
And then certainly we want to kind of take some
of the things that that the NCAA wants to wants
to build upon, and hopefully build a community around uh
FCS football and really make this a great showcase we're
not just FCS, but for Nashville as well during the
(09:41):
national media broadcast, So you know, we're excited about it.
We uh, we don't get the opportunity to really chase
many national championship events, either a due to our facility
availabilities on some of the spring events, or just simply
from the standpoint that that our city may have some conflicts.
(10:01):
So you know, the chance of hosting national championship, which
would be our first one and only one since we
hosted the twenty fourteen Women's Final four, is something I
know our city and our community is very excited about,
and we look forward to welcoming all the fans and
players to our city this year. I guess I can
introduce Beth not only a great friend, but a great partner,
(10:24):
and we're fortunate to have the o High Valley Conference
based here in Nashville as well, and we've had a
long time working relationship on many fronts, including the twenty
fourteen Women's Final Four that we partnered on. So I
can say that we're very attuned and knowledgeable and FCS
due to the partnership with the OBC and look forward
(10:47):
to making this a special few days for everybody involved
with the National Championship game.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Well, thank you Scott again. It is a lovely partnership
and it's fun to be able to work with you
again in the Nashville community staying this really cherished championship
on behalf of the Ohio Valley Conference membership and our
Football Association. We are absolutely thrilled to be able to
serve in this role as the host conference, working with
the Sports Council. With our lawn track record of being
(11:15):
friends and partners, we certainly have a level of football
expertise and experience in hosting championships that will bring to
the forefront for this event. Most importantly, there's a sincere.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
Love and knowledge of football.
Speaker 5 (11:29):
Nashville as a community has proven itself time and time
again to be a wonderful host city. It's the community
with this Middle Tennessee region that really rallies around big events.
And again, the leadership of the Sports Council plays such
your dramatic role in that. It is our commitment, as
Scott has noted, to build on the success of FRISCO
(11:51):
to make this event even greater than it has been before.
The goal of this championship event is to make it
a celebration of FCS and to bring our community together,
our coaches, athletics, directors, commissioners, and an opportunity for donors
and fans alike.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
As a long time.
Speaker 5 (12:09):
OFCs commissioner, I deeply understand on a personal note how
important this Championship is to the subdivision. This FCS game
isn't just a one and only It is the celebration
of what this subdivision is all about, and we are
committed to making it special. It also excites me, due
to the leadership of the Committee and of the NCAA
(12:31):
staff and working with our partners here, that we're going
to try different and unique ways to bring members of
the FCS community here to really make this our hallmark
event within this subdivision.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
This Championship will.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
Be a celebration of a commitment to making sure that
our student athletes make memories of our lifetime along with
our fans. We are committed to elevate this championship and
we are completely honored and humbled to be able to
serve in this role. So Jim, I'll turn it back
to you for questions, and again, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Awesome, Thanks so much everybody. We appreciate the great comments
to get us kicked off here. So what we will
do is we will open it up for questions once again,
use the hand raise function and once I call on you,
we'll go ahead and on mutube. Please say your name,
your affiliation, and also who you would like to ask
a question for. Let's first start off with Sam Herder. Sam,
(13:27):
go ahead, you're up.
Speaker 8 (13:32):
Hello, Sam Herder with Hero Sports question. A couple of
questions for Tye. As far as like the TV windows,
we know the championship game will remain on Monday night.
Has there been any discussion about where the semi finals lands?
Obviously a couple of times it's been Friday Saturday or
both games on Saturday.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
Any discussions about the semi final TV windows?
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Yes, and those haven't been one hundred percent finalized. We
were anticipate them being on Saturday, but not not one
hundred percent final until we get a little closer.
Speaker 8 (14:06):
M Then second part for me with this being, you know,
on Vanderbilt's turf, is there expected to have the ability
to have FCS championship logos and also have you know,
like the team design end zones for this championship game.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Good question, Sam, Yes, that that was actually part of
the part of the bids to to have the midfield
uh and the end zones take take Basically, our are
our opportunity to use our our marks, et cetera. And
that really was a big deal for for anybody that
bid to have that be part of it, and and
(14:44):
that was mandatory on our end.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
Awesome, Thank you, Thank.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
You, Sam. Let's go to Donezo don Euro.
Speaker 9 (14:57):
Thanks Jim. This question for tie tie off, the TV
part has a kickoff time and network being established for
the championship game yet.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Yeah, good question, Dom. It's not finalized yet. It is.
It is an evening kickoff last year was six o'clock
Central time, seven o'clock Eastern. We anticipated being around then,
but once once we're final with the ESPN, we will
certainly make that announcement.
Speaker 9 (15:27):
This thanks ty for Scott. North Dakota State is coming
to Nashville in a couple of weeks. Is that a
dry rod?
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Would you like to say?
Speaker 9 (15:36):
If the Bison are able to make it back, are
you going to take the game in to see what
potential Bison fans are going to be in your talent
in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
I've already connected with Matt Larson and looking forward to
kind of get together with them and certainly talk about
some of the things that we went through the bid process.
As you know, Matt was preceded Mark as committee chair
through the bid process, and we talked a lot about
not only fan engagements but player engagement. So I've reached
(16:07):
out to Matt and offered to kind of just kind
of connect if he wants to see and based on
his his schedule of travel here.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
But a little bit different.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
They're playing at Tennessee State, which has the opportunity to
play in Nissan Stadium, which is our Titans home stadium,
so to be a little different than playing at Vanderbilt.
But we'll certainly connect and hopefully, you know, get get
the fan base excited should they you know, kind of
(16:37):
navigate through the playoffs and come back in early January.
Speaker 9 (16:42):
Scott, last thing for you just on the chance to
make this a permanent home. How big a deal is
to make a good first impression. Frisco did that and
certainly one out. How big do you think this is
an opportunity for you guys to do that in January?
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Yeah, I think it's a huge opportunity. And we talked
to Tay about that and Mark and I think anytime
you move an event around, it's an opportunity to showcase
your city. And there are always events that you think
that fits your city really well. This is one of
them for us, you know. And I've been fortunate to
be here for almost thirty years now and we've seen
(17:19):
events that kind of move around the city, our cities,
I should say, around the country. And anytime you have
the opportunity to host an event that's been really kind
of planting in a city a long time. You know,
it's changing a lot of a lot of things. It's
changing kind of just the whole fan experience is changing,
the player and the university planning cycle. It's it's really
(17:41):
educating your local community on the importance of certain elements
of the event. And then certainly you've got some new partners.
You know, the NAY has got new partners with us
and with Beth and with Vanderbilt and with Gaylord and
with our city. So we're really looking for as an
opportunity to showcase that and strengthen our opportunity to host
a long term which is our goal. And I think
(18:03):
any city in our position would be doing the same,
and I think there'll be a lot of interest from
that standpoint, but we're gonna work hard to keep it
here as long term as we can.
Speaker 9 (18:14):
Thanks, guys, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
Taking don Let's go to FCS Nation. You guys are.
Speaker 10 (18:22):
Open messages for Scott Ramsey, Scott is, Kevin Marshall, FCS
Nation Radio. Is the stadium going to be completely renovated
for this Championship game? Is there still going to be
construction going on?
Speaker 1 (18:41):
No, it'll be ready.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I believe it's pretty much ready now for the opening
of Vanderbilt season. And to Tye's point earlier, I think
we we really have done a lot of due diligence
on the front end to make sure the transformation over
December at the end of the regular season for vander Built.
We'll be ready for the championship game and I'm confident
(19:04):
it'll be great experience for the fans. But yeah, construction
is done and they're getting ready to start to their
schedule here in a couple of weeks, and we'll have
a lot of games or home games to kind of
look at how the operations piece behind the scenes kind
of take shape and be able to apply that to
the championship game.
Speaker 10 (19:23):
That's great news, and I know everybody is excited to
be there and to have our championship game at a
football stadium again, it's going to be outstanding. We are
ready and we'll be there in force. And thanks guys
for putting all the press conference. It's great that we're
meeting and we get this information. Thanks y'all.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
Yeah, I think Kevin also, we're looking for the opportunity
to grow attendance, and you know, I think that's a
big goal of everybody on this call. And you know,
around thirty thirty one, thirty two thousand, once we get
kind of you know, some of those flex spaces kind
of defined on numbers, hopefully it gives us the opportunity
to grow, you know more fans, more community outreach and
(20:03):
and really engage you know, the fans being able to
come and more of and being able to create great
environment for the players.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Thanks so much, Scott. Let's go to Craig Colly. Craig,
you're open, Thank.
Speaker 11 (20:18):
You, Jim, and thank you everybody for this time.
Speaker 6 (20:21):
Question for Tie.
Speaker 11 (20:23):
It was just mentioned about growing.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
The size of the fan base.
Speaker 11 (20:30):
This obviously is going to about thirty thirty five thousand
a First Bank stadium. What is what is the target
range for the stadium size? Obviously this is bigger than Frisco.
Does the NCAA have a number that they prefer? Are
you trying to avoid like a Nissan stadium that's you know,
an NFL sixty thousand seat stadium.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
Yeah, good, good question, Craig. Thank you for the comment.
You know, they're they're just aren't that many stadiums that
are the size to be quite frank and many of
the other cities that bid had similar sized stadiums to Frisco.
I think, honestly, this is kind of is going to
(21:12):
give us an ideal number to know kind of what
that public public sale looks like. And you know, we're
keeping our team, our team sales the tickets we hold
for teams the same as we did in Frisco. So
you know, we're adding you know, roughly ten thousand seats
to our public sales. So, uh, this will give us
(21:35):
a really good number and and good idea of of uh,
you know, how many, how many fans are very interested
in supporting, as Bess said, the pinnacle of FCS championship,
And we are really doing some some extra work to
create some events around the game that that don't have
anything to do with the two teams that are that
(21:55):
are going to be there. But I think, I think
this is a really good number for us to know
and and kind of understand what that demand looks like,
because right now, I think we've never gone three days
over of selling out selling our our public tickets in Frisco.
And uh so it's really hard to tell how much
that number looks like. I can't I can't tell you
(22:19):
what the future looks like. But but an NFL stadium
just just probably feels too big to to uh to
really accommodate our our fan bases. But long term, maybe
that's something that we look at. You never know, but
for now, I'd rather have a demand for tickets and
and have some some need for people to feel I
(22:41):
feel like there is, uh there is a real real
demand that they need to go ahead and reserve their
tickets now. And I truly believe, based on the the
ads and commissioners I've talked to, that that we we
hopefully will be in that same boat.
Speaker 11 (22:56):
Hi, because of what happened in Frisco with their renovation,
does the city of Frisco have any assurance that they
will get at least one game in the future.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Yeah, Craig, I'd be remiss if I didn't say. You know,
the fifteen years that we've had in Frisco has been incredibly,
incredibly efficient. They've spent a lot of time helping us
as the NCAA build the FCS Championship, and the movement
has been tremendous. So this for those that don't know,
we only opened it up because of a significant renovation
(23:30):
to their stadium, and it really is going to be
tremendous once they are done with it after two years.
But to answer your question, there's no commitment to anybody
at this point other than Nashville for the next two years.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Sure, thank you.
Speaker 11 (23:45):
And one more question for Mark because of having new
members and just you know, the additional seeds last year.
Is there any new points of emphasis with the selection criteria.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
No, I mean, like I said in open comments, is
really focused on watching as many games as we can.
Our big responsibility, Tye and I and ty staff is
really getting the new committee members up to speed about
the responsibilities. Obviously, each committee member has a conference that
(24:20):
they work with that get information about the top teams
in their league that they bring back to the Committee
and we discuss, and so it's really focused on that.
I forgot to mention in my comments that we do
have metrics for the first time last year. Again, with
any kind of metrics, especially with football, the criteria within
(24:43):
the metrics is always different between the four so we
look at them, but really focus on the eye tests,
so watching games as well as the regional racks and
what those committee members are bringing back from their respective conferences.
So it's really again up to us early to be
able to get those new committee members up to speed.
(25:05):
It's a lot of information, a lot of work, but
you know, I'm excited about who we have on there
and their passion for sc AS football.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Craig Craig one more thing Mark, Mark was right on
with that, but the we also record three or four
games a week throughout the season and and take out
the take out the commercials, get the committee members just
the game video, and those have proven to be more important.
I feel like if there's any one thing that I
would say in the last year or so that that
(25:38):
our committee members have really found that to be helpful
choosing a team. Let's say someone starts for and oh
that you kind of weren't expecting, you know, getting a
getting a full game to look at and understand really
how how that team looks compared to others has really
been helpful.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Thank you everybody.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
Thank you, Craig. Pretty let's see, let's go to Alfredo Sanchez.
Alfredo you're open.
Speaker 12 (26:08):
Hello, Alfredo Sanchez KRGV in the Rio Grand Valley. This
question is mostly with Mark and time regards to you
mentioned about the metrics, and obviously one of the new
teams in the FCS is utr GV. They finally have
a football program. Is the metrics for new programs?
Speaker 1 (26:29):
Is it?
Speaker 12 (26:30):
Will it be different or will it be the same
as any other team competing in the FCS.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Yeah, I can jump on that one. Basically, it's it's
only that season. Only this season is results are considered
through the metrics, So if they're eligible for FCS the tournament,
they will be included in the in the metrics and yeah,
treated like anyone else.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Alfredo, appreciate you. We
are still open for questions once again, if you'd like
to ask a question, please raise your hand and let's
go to UH Morgan Morgan Europe and go ahead.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
Morgan.
Speaker 13 (27:16):
We is our logos News University of the Incarnate Word
down here in San Antonio, Texas. You guys mentioned that
within the last couple of seasons that the playoffs have
been in Frisco. Would you guys ever consider it moving
it just down to San Antonio with universities lik Incarnate
Word Trinity UTSA right in.
Speaker 6 (27:39):
The heart and soul of San Antonio.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Yeah, I'm Morgan, thank you for the question. I think
you know we we would be open to anyone that
that puts a bit in that that's a sometimes a
misconception that we are out seeking UH cities that we
think would be great for it. We certainly have good
relationships with with San Antonio through the final four and
(28:02):
and some of our other events. But their Sports commission,
you know, institutions uh that that are that are potentially
going to be the host. They need to consider the
amount of work that it does take to host host
the game and and host that weekend. And you know,
facility is a big part of that et cetera. So, uh,
(28:23):
certainly you're going to be open to anyone who is
interested in bidding. We will give everyone the same the
same review and and assessment. But but at this at
this point, if if they are interested, they will have
the opportunity just like anybody else.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Thank you, Morgan. Let's go to a grave rock act. Greg,
you're open, Greg, you can go ahead and take yourself
off a mute.
Speaker 14 (28:50):
Yet that yep, Greg Rockotch from mt and Sports in Montana.
This question, I guess would be for either Mark or Tie.
I'm just, you know, curious about your thoughts on parody.
Uh in the f CS obviously, as you know, it's
it's been kind of a two horse race, you know,
(29:10):
in terms of conferences, Uh, as far as the championship
is concerned with the Missouri Valley in Big Sky, and
maybe just a thought on where you think the f
CS is in terms of of parody and maybe trying
to you know, your hope for for more teams being competitive,
(29:31):
to to try to get to the to the top.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
I think from my perspective, there's a lot of conversations
in the eighty world of FCS about UH teams from
other leagues making sure they try to go Like for
us at Chattanooga, we're playing Taulton State, and I know,
you know last year we played Portland State, I know,
North Dakota State, as we mentioned place Tennessee State, the Citadel,
(29:59):
you know, really trying to encourage other conferences for to
play you know, the Big Sky, Missouri Valley, other conferences
to make sure they're out of conference in that we
see where we are with that parody and what work
needs to be done. I think it's very very important
to the leagues to make sure UH they reach out
(30:22):
of being regional and play the top teams and other
leagues to see where they stack up. And it's certainly
helpful for us when those those games are being played.
Speaker 15 (30:37):
Thank you, can I maybe thank you of the twelfth
game also impacting FCS, and so we're ready to see
some change within the subdivision relative to scheduling that may
be exciting.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Thank you best, Sam Herder, go ahead.
Speaker 6 (30:57):
Uh yeah.
Speaker 8 (30:57):
One more question, this one from Mark Just what is
the you know, with the IVY League now adjoining the playoffs.
You know that's been something fans and media have one
and for many years. So just the general I guess
overall excitement level to add them to the mix and
you know, kind of see what some of those known
brand names can do on the national stage.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
We're excited about it. You know, we often look at
some of those IVY League games when they play the
Northeast Conference or the CIA, and I think it's going
to be very interesting. I think early about how we
measured the ten games versus the eleven games or twelve games.
But we're really excited to have them in there and
(31:41):
see how they stack up. And just you know, we
have a committee member and looking forward to to learning
more and having a lot of those historic programs in
the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
Thank you, Thank you, Sam dom Izzo, eure up, go ahead.
Speaker 9 (32:01):
Thanks Jim Ty one other sorry, I have to the
TV guy. I have to ask the TV questions. With
the now of the twelve games, is there a advent
of more of national windows in the week zero time
frame for the FCS that you've talked with ESPN about that,
Hey we can because now the Las Vegas games being
(32:21):
announced this week, is that something that you can help
with that say, hey, there's more windows for to get
SCS teams on national television now.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Yeah, Dom, good, good question, and Beth, thank you for
bringing that up. The you know, FBS is maintaining their
current week zero legislation which really doesn't allow for many
games the game in Ireland for them or quargant team,
but that is open now for all fcs to schedule
(32:51):
games FCS versus FCS in week zero in twenty twenty six.
I certainly will not be surprised if there are a
decent number of teams that are interested in scheduling and
doing that. Obviously, you have to bring your players back
a little bit earlier, so there's some expense there. But
(33:13):
we've had some conversations with ESPN just to just to
say yep, that's that's part of it, but not just ESPN.
It's a it's across.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
The board.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Mark.
Speaker 9 (33:24):
One thing for you just being seeing how Matt did
this the last couple of years and then the advent
of seeding the sixteen. How did that make it easier
in the room, Frankly on Saturday night Sunday that you
had sixteen teams to see.
Speaker 6 (33:40):
Yeah, I mean it added to.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
I don't want to say the stress, but we just
wanted to make sure, you know, we got one through
four right, and we got five through eight right, and
you know, so on and so forth. That we spent
a lot of time making sure and obviously there's a
lot of games on that Saturday they were in the
room that that mattered, and so you know, we started
(34:05):
a little later. But I feel like for the first time,
obviously being the first time, we want to make sure
we got it right. And I believe what we saw,
you know, the last season play out that we did
a tremendous job and I certainly learned a lot from
Matt and obviously Tie and the rules that we put
(34:25):
in place to be able to see teams that I'm
excited for this year. And it's always, you know, the challenge,
but you know, with the good work of the committee,
I think we're gonna get it right and I'm excited
about it.
Speaker 9 (34:40):
Thanks guys, really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
Thank you. Don Do we have any other questions for
our group. If you do, go ahead and raise your
hand and we'll go back to Greg.
Speaker 14 (34:53):
Greg, go ahead, Yes, thanks again, this one, I guess
for time, just a question about the future and what
things might look like down the road. Does does it
give you any pauses as we can continue to see teams,
you know, moving conferences and you know.
Speaker 1 (35:15):
Moving up. We've seen we've seen it.
Speaker 14 (35:17):
Through the years. So just in terms of the future
of f c S, what what are your thoughts on
you know, what it might look like going forward.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Yeah, I can take my my NCAA hat off a
little bit because we don't we don't have any legislation
or rules about how conferences are are are you know, connected,
or if people move, et cetera. But uh, f c
S as a whole, I think really is in a
strong position for those that that that believe that they
(35:49):
fit well in f cs and and understand that we've
been fortunate to have you know, a lot of leaders
on our Championship Committee, but also the Oversight Committee. I
think that's a big part of at least my vision
for the weekend is to to make sure we're talking
about the value of f c S. The value of
(36:09):
where f c S uh institutions are and even those
that don't have football, you know that are kind of
aligned with f c S. There's there's a lot of
value in in in where where f c S sits
and and uh, and I think, you know, institutions have
to make their own calls and they have different vision,
(36:30):
different approach to things, and that's certainly fine. I I
feel I feel like the future f CS is strong
and and UH that's my role is to make sure
the championship and the and the division gets what they
need to to be able to support and and and
maybe expand and push forward. At f c S. It's
(36:50):
it's a it's an interesting group of schools. You know,
we've got every every everything from top to bottom, state
schools and private schools, et cetera. But coming together and
playing a really high level brand of football I think
makes a lot of a lot of good sense for
folks that that have been thriving and succeeding in it.
(37:12):
I'm not on campus, so I can't can't tell you
what what all those things look like. But you know,
Mark or Beth may may have better better thoughts on that,
but I I think I've had a long career at
the NCAA and believe FCS is underrated.
Speaker 1 (37:33):
Thank you, Greg, Sam Herder go ahead, you're up.
Speaker 6 (37:38):
Yeah, one more for me, Beth. Question for you.
Speaker 8 (37:41):
I'm just curious about the OVC and like the responsibilities
you guys have as far as helping out with the
lead up of this game and FCS Championship weekend.
Speaker 6 (37:51):
What does that all? What does that all entail for
your conference?
Speaker 13 (37:55):
Sure?
Speaker 6 (37:55):
No, thank you for the question.
Speaker 5 (37:57):
As I noted, the partnership with the Sports Council is strong.
We've had the privilege of hosting basketball events on behalf
of the NCAA and also a Women's Final Four together,
so we play to one another's strengths. Our staff will
be intricately involved along with the Sports Council staff to
provide background support. Obviously, we run championships all the time,
(38:19):
so we have a staff ready to go, whether it's
media or operations, to help support in that regard. Additionally,
in the commissioner's role, my responsibility is to be the
kind of wit in the room to the FCS commissioners,
to be able to translate information, to share information, and
also to get ideas from the commissioners the Commissioner's room
has to be supportive of this championship. I've also been
(38:42):
privileged for over seventeen years to serve as the liaison
to the Athletics director's community within the FCS, so again
to have a dialogue with that group to make sure
that this championship is representative of the community of administrators
that support its role. And at this stage in my career,
it's nice to be able to put all the pieces together.
(39:04):
I'll close ham with saying I'm really confident given the
experience that the Sports Council has and working the bull
combined with our experience in the commitment of Vanderbilt, that
you bring people to the table to host this championship
that really will support the vision of what the NCAA
staff and committee want for this championship. And I think
we all share a commitment to just making sure we
(39:26):
can do the absolute best for FCS.
Speaker 6 (39:28):
So I hope that's helpful. Yeah, awesome, Thank you all
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Thanks so much, Sam, and we have time for one
more Morgan, go ahead, Europe.
Speaker 13 (39:41):
Yes, this is for anyone. Recently, Incarnate Word announced a
home and home series with the Bison, which is North
Dakota State. With that being said, how exciting is it
for playoff implications to have that seat rescheduled and maybe
(40:02):
have a shift in terms of who gets into the
college football playoffs.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
As I mentioned earlier, you know, I think there's more
and more emphasis like North Dakota State's doing playing a
school like incarnate word that year and year out is
in the conversation of the you know, the playoffs that
it's a great litmus test on both those programs on
how they compete. And it certainly helps us one data
(40:35):
point at the end of the year to know that
there is top competition between two good leagues at Southland
in the Missouri Valley. That certainly helps the committee.
Speaker 1 (40:52):
Thank you Morgan. That will pretty much wrap everything up.
Just one more reminder that tickets will go on Selle
to the general public on Saturday, September sixth. You'll be
able to go to NCAA dot com backslash tickets for
all of that information. But I want to thank Mark,
I want to thank best, Scott and Tye for joining us.
(41:14):
They want to thank everybody else, all of our media
for joining us as well. We're excited about the twenty
twenty five football season and excited to get down to
Nashville the first week in January for our championship. So
thank you very much to everybody, and thanks to our
group here talking today. Have a great day, everybody.
Speaker 3 (41:32):
Thanks everybody, Thank you.
Hello everybody, and we want to welcome you all to
our twenty twenty five FCS preseason press conference. I'm Jin Powers,
you're moderator for today. Glad to see everybody joining us
here this afternoon as football season is upon us and
we're really really excited about a lot of the things
coming down here in the FCS. But to introduce you
(00:24):
to our group here first, and then i'll explain how
the afternoon is the questions are going to go. First off,
we have Mark Wharton, the chair of the FCS Committee
and he is the athletic director at Chattanooga. We have
Beth the Bush, Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner and membership host
for the FCS Championship Game. Scott Ramsey, the executive director
(00:46):
of the Nashville Sports Council and FCS Championship game host,
and then ty Halpen NCAA director of Championships and FCSO oversights.
So what we're gonna do is we're gonna do some
opening remarks from everybody, and then once we do that,
we'll open it up for questions. What we'd like everybody
to do is please use the race hand function on
your on your zoom and then I will call you,
(01:08):
will unmute you, and you can ask any questions that
you have for our group. So let's kick it off. Mark,
thank you for your service. Great to see you again,
and we're excited for the twenty twenty five football season.
Speaker 2 (01:22):
I appreciate it. Thanks Jim, thanks everybody for being on
the call. Obviously, the FCS Committee is focused on the
selections and team considerations, you know, to make sure we
get it right, especially the getting the seating right and
obviously getting the twenty four best seams in the tournament.
(01:42):
The first committee meeting and orientation and getting everybody adjusted
will be next week. We have seven new members this year.
We'll spend quite a time early making sure the new
committee members are familiar with the committee process. This year
obviously is adding the IVY League taking its automatic qualifications,
(02:06):
which brings us to eleven AQ spots for the bracket,
which is new. Committee puts a premium, as we do,
and we'll do early in all season, but especially early
with the non conference schedule of those conferences that play
other conferences that are considered for the committee. We'll learn
(02:27):
a lot there and we put a really premium on
watching those games. We have about four clips a week
that the committee chooses that we look at. Also, we
do not use the Media Coaches Poll as part as
any of the SCS committee considerations. And also really working
(02:51):
closely with the regional Advisory committees to make sure that
their regions are really watched in looked at. That's a big,
huge part of what we do when we put our
rankings together in their considerations. But I just really excited
about this year, really excited about going to Nashville and
(03:13):
through the process and getting to November.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Great Mark appreciate it. Ty helping with the NCAA and
a couple of notes from a ncay's staff perspective. With
the committee, this will be our second year of seeding
the top sixteen in the bracket, and certainly our weekly
committee calls once we get to get through a few
games will be really important. Those mock selections that we're
(03:42):
also going to do, especially with as Mark noted, so
many new committee members were actually going to do at
least one mock selection, likely too, just as a committee
not to release anywhere, but part of the part of
the longer term that was used last year, the top
(04:03):
ten release that we did, we are going to add
another one of those times or the dates we are
a little bit up in the air at this point,
but somewhere around the mid season, and then another one
before we get too close to our selection weekend. Really
felt like that was helpful last year, and ESPN as
(04:25):
a partnership did a nice job of helping us release
those and got some attention for FCS, and we certainly
want to continue that, so we're going to add add
another release of those during the season, so be looking
for that. We'll we'll certainly release the dates when we
have those firmed up a little bit. Our host processes,
(04:47):
so obviously the visiting teams in our tournament really try
to try to make sure they have a good experience
and travel, et cetera. We do a lot of work
with the committee and with with our travel staff to
address as many things as we possibly can well before
selection weekend to be sure we know and understand what
(05:10):
conflicts maybe a host might have. Hotel certainly is a
big part of the process, so we're working again to
get as many of those things out in front of
us so we can understand what those issues could be
with a host as we move forward, and then in
some cases, some hosts are unavailable to host in early rounds,
(05:30):
so we again try to make sure we are well
prepared in advance before we get to that point the
weekend before selections for our selection weekend. A couple other
quick things the Nashville selection and future future bids. We
do plan to get through this first season in Nashville
(05:54):
for season with the championship game, and then probably about
a month month and a half or so, we'll send
out a new a new bid selection for the future.
Not one hundred percent sure yet how many years will
we will put that out for. But we are in
Nashville for the next two seasons, so the twenty six
championship game, in the twenty seven, twenty seven championship game,
(06:19):
and then we'll be out for bid for twenty eight
and beyond. But from that perspective, I'm gonna turn it
turn it to Scott here shortly. The only other thing
to note, tickets will go on sale for the general
public on Saturday, September sixth, and it's w The website
(06:40):
to go to is NCAA dot com slash tickets. You
can sign up to be on that list if your
fans fans in the general public can sign up now
to be on that list and get an opportunity to
purchase before the general public sale. So I want to
make sure that's reinforced on the call, But Scott, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (07:04):
Thanks Tye, and thanks Mark. And I think from a
national perspective, just a couple of comments, we're extremely appreciative
and very I guess appreciative of the opportunity that the
Committee afforded us and TIE to be able to host
this event. And we really understand as a national Championship game, uh,
(07:29):
the importance that this is to to FCS football. And
you know, I think as a host city, we uh,
we've done a lot of different events that we're going
to really uh kind of draw upon that experience and
and try to create an environment not just for the
players primarily, but also for the fans and the administration
uh and everybody uh that comes along with the FCS
(07:51):
National Championship Game to to have a great experience in Nashville.
You know, I think three or four things that we're
we've kind of focused on and our opportunity to host
an event that's been widely successful in Frisco is how
do we kind of build on that success and I
think some of those things for us is to how
do we use the Nashville assets to to you know,
(08:13):
to improve upon maybe some opportunities that we thought we
had a better situation for in Nashville than maybe some
of the other benning cities, which is pretty common when
you're looking at an event that's been somewhere for a
long time. So you know, first of all, I think
the player experience is something similar to to our Music
City Bowl, and that we have a hotel facility in
(08:35):
galeord opu Land that that can really not only host
both teams but really kind of hosts them with all
the amenities necessary for the coaches and the players to
really kind of focus in on the game, with separate entrances,
to separate transfer portals and in separate meeting space at
the same time, an indoor water park and some things
(08:56):
that that really allow the players have a great experience
while they're here. From a fan standpoint, we certainly want
to utilize downtown Nashville and connect that to Vanderbilt. We're
very appreciative of Vanderbilt's partnership and allowing us to use
a stadium. It's been newly renovated, so I think the
fan experience at Vanderbilt, with the new end zones and
the club seats and the improvements there will be noticed
(09:20):
and and certainly a chance maybe hopefully to grow attendance.
And then certainly we want to kind of take some
of the things that that the NCAA wants to wants
to build upon, and hopefully build a community around uh
FCS football and really make this a great showcase we're
not just FCS, but for Nashville as well during the
(09:41):
national media broadcast, So you know, we're excited about it.
We uh, we don't get the opportunity to really chase
many national championship events, either a due to our facility
availabilities on some of the spring events, or just simply
from the standpoint that that our city may have some conflicts.
(10:01):
So you know, the chance of hosting national championship, which
would be our first one and only one since we
hosted the twenty fourteen Women's Final four, is something I
know our city and our community is very excited about,
and we look forward to welcoming all the fans and
players to our city this year. I guess I can
introduce Beth not only a great friend, but a great partner,
(10:24):
and we're fortunate to have the o High Valley Conference
based here in Nashville as well, and we've had a
long time working relationship on many fronts, including the twenty
fourteen Women's Final Four that we partnered on. So I
can say that we're very attuned and knowledgeable and FCS
due to the partnership with the OBC and look forward
(10:47):
to making this a special few days for everybody involved
with the National Championship game.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
Well, thank you Scott again. It is a lovely partnership
and it's fun to be able to work with you
again in the Nashville community staying this really cherished championship
on behalf of the Ohio Valley Conference membership and our
Football Association. We are absolutely thrilled to be able to
serve in this role as the host conference, working with
the Sports Council. With our lawn track record of being
(11:15):
friends and partners, we certainly have a level of football
expertise and experience in hosting championships that will bring to
the forefront for this event. Most importantly, there's a sincere.
Speaker 6 (11:27):
Love and knowledge of football.
Speaker 5 (11:29):
Nashville as a community has proven itself time and time
again to be a wonderful host city. It's the community
with this Middle Tennessee region that really rallies around big events.
And again, the leadership of the Sports Council plays such
your dramatic role in that. It is our commitment, as
Scott has noted, to build on the success of FRISCO
(11:51):
to make this event even greater than it has been before.
The goal of this championship event is to make it
a celebration of FCS and to bring our community together,
our coaches, athletics, directors, commissioners, and an opportunity for donors
and fans alike.
Speaker 6 (12:08):
As a long time.
Speaker 5 (12:09):
OFCs commissioner, I deeply understand on a personal note how
important this Championship is to the subdivision. This FCS game
isn't just a one and only It is the celebration
of what this subdivision is all about, and we are
committed to making it special. It also excites me, due
to the leadership of the Committee and of the NCAA
(12:31):
staff and working with our partners here, that we're going
to try different and unique ways to bring members of
the FCS community here to really make this our hallmark
event within this subdivision.
Speaker 6 (12:44):
This Championship will.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
Be a celebration of a commitment to making sure that
our student athletes make memories of our lifetime along with
our fans. We are committed to elevate this championship and
we are completely honored and humbled to be able to
serve in this role. So Jim, I'll turn it back
to you for questions, and again, thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (13:05):
Awesome, Thanks so much everybody. We appreciate the great comments
to get us kicked off here. So what we will
do is we will open it up for questions once again,
use the hand raise function and once I call on you,
we'll go ahead and on mutube. Please say your name,
your affiliation, and also who you would like to ask
a question for. Let's first start off with Sam Herder. Sam,
(13:27):
go ahead, you're up.
Speaker 8 (13:32):
Hello, Sam Herder with Hero Sports question. A couple of
questions for Tye. As far as like the TV windows,
we know the championship game will remain on Monday night.
Has there been any discussion about where the semi finals lands?
Obviously a couple of times it's been Friday Saturday or
both games on Saturday.
Speaker 6 (13:52):
Any discussions about the semi final TV windows?
Speaker 3 (13:56):
Yes, and those haven't been one hundred percent finalized. We
were anticipate them being on Saturday, but not not one
hundred percent final until we get a little closer.
Speaker 8 (14:06):
M Then second part for me with this being, you know,
on Vanderbilt's turf, is there expected to have the ability
to have FCS championship logos and also have you know,
like the team design end zones for this championship game.
Speaker 3 (14:22):
Good question, Sam, Yes, that that was actually part of
the part of the bids to to have the midfield
uh and the end zones take take Basically, our are
our opportunity to use our our marks, et cetera. And
that really was a big deal for for anybody that
bid to have that be part of it, and and
(14:44):
that was mandatory on our end.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
Awesome, Thank you, Thank.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
You, Sam. Let's go to Donezo don Euro.
Speaker 9 (14:57):
Thanks Jim. This question for tie tie off, the TV
part has a kickoff time and network being established for
the championship game yet.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Yeah, good question, Dom. It's not finalized yet. It is.
It is an evening kickoff last year was six o'clock
Central time, seven o'clock Eastern. We anticipated being around then,
but once once we're final with the ESPN, we will
certainly make that announcement.
Speaker 9 (15:27):
This thanks ty for Scott. North Dakota State is coming
to Nashville in a couple of weeks. Is that a
dry rod?
Speaker 1 (15:35):
Would you like to say?
Speaker 9 (15:36):
If the Bison are able to make it back, are
you going to take the game in to see what
potential Bison fans are going to be in your talent
in a couple of weeks.
Speaker 3 (15:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (15:44):
I've already connected with Matt Larson and looking forward to
kind of get together with them and certainly talk about
some of the things that we went through the bid process.
As you know, Matt was preceded Mark as committee chair
through the bid process, and we talked a lot about
not only fan engagements but player engagement. So I've reached
(16:07):
out to Matt and offered to kind of just kind
of connect if he wants to see and based on
his his schedule of travel here.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
But a little bit different.
Speaker 4 (16:17):
They're playing at Tennessee State, which has the opportunity to
play in Nissan Stadium, which is our Titans home stadium,
so to be a little different than playing at Vanderbilt.
But we'll certainly connect and hopefully, you know, get get
the fan base excited should they you know, kind of
(16:37):
navigate through the playoffs and come back in early January.
Speaker 9 (16:42):
Scott, last thing for you just on the chance to
make this a permanent home. How big a deal is
to make a good first impression. Frisco did that and
certainly one out. How big do you think this is
an opportunity for you guys to do that in January?
Speaker 4 (16:56):
Yeah, I think it's a huge opportunity. And we talked
to Tay about that and Mark and I think anytime
you move an event around, it's an opportunity to showcase
your city. And there are always events that you think
that fits your city really well. This is one of
them for us, you know. And I've been fortunate to
be here for almost thirty years now and we've seen
(17:19):
events that kind of move around the city, our cities,
I should say, around the country. And anytime you have
the opportunity to host an event that's been really kind
of planting in a city a long time. You know,
it's changing a lot of a lot of things. It's
changing kind of just the whole fan experience is changing,
the player and the university planning cycle. It's it's really
(17:41):
educating your local community on the importance of certain elements
of the event. And then certainly you've got some new partners.
You know, the NAY has got new partners with us
and with Beth and with Vanderbilt and with Gaylord and
with our city. So we're really looking for as an
opportunity to showcase that and strengthen our opportunity to host
a long term which is our goal. And I think
(18:03):
any city in our position would be doing the same,
and I think there'll be a lot of interest from
that standpoint, but we're gonna work hard to keep it
here as long term as we can.
Speaker 9 (18:14):
Thanks, guys, I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
Taking don Let's go to FCS Nation. You guys are.
Speaker 10 (18:22):
Open messages for Scott Ramsey, Scott is, Kevin Marshall, FCS
Nation Radio. Is the stadium going to be completely renovated
for this Championship game? Is there still going to be
construction going on?
Speaker 1 (18:41):
No, it'll be ready.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
I believe it's pretty much ready now for the opening
of Vanderbilt season. And to Tye's point earlier, I think
we we really have done a lot of due diligence
on the front end to make sure the transformation over
December at the end of the regular season for vander Built.
We'll be ready for the championship game and I'm confident
(19:04):
it'll be great experience for the fans. But yeah, construction
is done and they're getting ready to start to their
schedule here in a couple of weeks, and we'll have
a lot of games or home games to kind of
look at how the operations piece behind the scenes kind
of take shape and be able to apply that to
the championship game.
Speaker 10 (19:23):
That's great news, and I know everybody is excited to
be there and to have our championship game at a
football stadium again, it's going to be outstanding. We are
ready and we'll be there in force. And thanks guys
for putting all the press conference. It's great that we're
meeting and we get this information. Thanks y'all.
Speaker 4 (19:42):
Yeah, I think Kevin also, we're looking for the opportunity
to grow attendance, and you know, I think that's a
big goal of everybody on this call. And you know,
around thirty thirty one, thirty two thousand, once we get
kind of you know, some of those flex spaces kind
of defined on numbers, hopefully it gives us the opportunity
to grow, you know more fans, more community outreach and
(20:03):
and really engage you know, the fans being able to
come and more of and being able to create great
environment for the players.
Speaker 1 (20:12):
Thanks so much, Scott. Let's go to Craig Colly. Craig,
you're open, Thank.
Speaker 11 (20:18):
You, Jim, and thank you everybody for this time.
Speaker 6 (20:21):
Question for Tie.
Speaker 11 (20:23):
It was just mentioned about growing.
Speaker 1 (20:26):
The size of the fan base.
Speaker 11 (20:30):
This obviously is going to about thirty thirty five thousand
a First Bank stadium. What is what is the target
range for the stadium size? Obviously this is bigger than Frisco.
Does the NCAA have a number that they prefer? Are
you trying to avoid like a Nissan stadium that's you know,
an NFL sixty thousand seat stadium.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
Yeah, good, good question, Craig. Thank you for the comment.
You know, they're they're just aren't that many stadiums that
are the size to be quite frank and many of
the other cities that bid had similar sized stadiums to Frisco.
I think, honestly, this is kind of is going to
(21:12):
give us an ideal number to know kind of what
that public public sale looks like. And you know, we're
keeping our team, our team sales the tickets we hold
for teams the same as we did in Frisco. So
you know, we're adding you know, roughly ten thousand seats
to our public sales. So, uh, this will give us
(21:35):
a really good number and and good idea of of uh,
you know, how many, how many fans are very interested
in supporting, as Bess said, the pinnacle of FCS championship,
And we are really doing some some extra work to
create some events around the game that that don't have
anything to do with the two teams that are that
(21:55):
are going to be there. But I think, I think
this is a really good number for us to know
and and kind of understand what that demand looks like,
because right now, I think we've never gone three days
over of selling out selling our our public tickets in Frisco.
And uh so it's really hard to tell how much
that number looks like. I can't I can't tell you
(22:19):
what the future looks like. But but an NFL stadium
just just probably feels too big to to uh to
really accommodate our our fan bases. But long term, maybe
that's something that we look at. You never know, but
for now, I'd rather have a demand for tickets and
and have some some need for people to feel I
(22:41):
feel like there is, uh there is a real real
demand that they need to go ahead and reserve their
tickets now. And I truly believe, based on the the
ads and commissioners I've talked to, that that we we
hopefully will be in that same boat.
Speaker 11 (22:56):
Hi, because of what happened in Frisco with their renovation,
does the city of Frisco have any assurance that they
will get at least one game in the future.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Yeah, Craig, I'd be remiss if I didn't say. You know,
the fifteen years that we've had in Frisco has been incredibly,
incredibly efficient. They've spent a lot of time helping us
as the NCAA build the FCS Championship, and the movement
has been tremendous. So this for those that don't know,
we only opened it up because of a significant renovation
(23:30):
to their stadium, and it really is going to be
tremendous once they are done with it after two years.
But to answer your question, there's no commitment to anybody
at this point other than Nashville for the next two years.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Sure, thank you.
Speaker 11 (23:45):
And one more question for Mark because of having new
members and just you know, the additional seeds last year.
Is there any new points of emphasis with the selection criteria.
Speaker 2 (24:00):
No, I mean, like I said in open comments, is
really focused on watching as many games as we can.
Our big responsibility, Tye and I and ty staff is
really getting the new committee members up to speed about
the responsibilities. Obviously, each committee member has a conference that
(24:20):
they work with that get information about the top teams
in their league that they bring back to the Committee
and we discuss, and so it's really focused on that.
I forgot to mention in my comments that we do
have metrics for the first time last year. Again, with
any kind of metrics, especially with football, the criteria within
(24:43):
the metrics is always different between the four so we
look at them, but really focus on the eye tests,
so watching games as well as the regional racks and
what those committee members are bringing back from their respective conferences.
So it's really again up to us early to be
able to get those new committee members up to speed.
(25:05):
It's a lot of information, a lot of work, but
you know, I'm excited about who we have on there
and their passion for sc AS football.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
Craig Craig one more thing Mark, Mark was right on
with that, but the we also record three or four
games a week throughout the season and and take out
the take out the commercials, get the committee members just
the game video, and those have proven to be more important.
I feel like if there's any one thing that I
would say in the last year or so that that
(25:38):
our committee members have really found that to be helpful
choosing a team. Let's say someone starts for and oh
that you kind of weren't expecting, you know, getting a
getting a full game to look at and understand really
how how that team looks compared to others has really
been helpful.
Speaker 2 (25:56):
Thank you everybody.
Speaker 1 (25:58):
Thank you, Craig. Pretty let's see, let's go to Alfredo Sanchez.
Alfredo you're open.
Speaker 12 (26:08):
Hello, Alfredo Sanchez KRGV in the Rio Grand Valley. This
question is mostly with Mark and time regards to you
mentioned about the metrics, and obviously one of the new
teams in the FCS is utr GV. They finally have
a football program. Is the metrics for new programs?
Speaker 1 (26:29):
Is it?
Speaker 12 (26:30):
Will it be different or will it be the same
as any other team competing in the FCS.
Speaker 3 (26:35):
Yeah, I can jump on that one. Basically, it's it's
only that season. Only this season is results are considered
through the metrics, So if they're eligible for FCS the tournament,
they will be included in the in the metrics and yeah,
treated like anyone else.
Speaker 1 (26:57):
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Alfredo, appreciate you. We
are still open for questions once again, if you'd like
to ask a question, please raise your hand and let's
go to UH Morgan Morgan Europe and go ahead.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (27:16):
Morgan.
Speaker 13 (27:16):
We is our logos News University of the Incarnate Word
down here in San Antonio, Texas. You guys mentioned that
within the last couple of seasons that the playoffs have
been in Frisco. Would you guys ever consider it moving
it just down to San Antonio with universities lik Incarnate
Word Trinity UTSA right in.
Speaker 6 (27:39):
The heart and soul of San Antonio.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Yeah, I'm Morgan, thank you for the question. I think
you know we we would be open to anyone that
that puts a bit in that that's a sometimes a
misconception that we are out seeking UH cities that we
think would be great for it. We certainly have good
relationships with with San Antonio through the final four and
(28:02):
and some of our other events. But their Sports commission,
you know, institutions uh that that are that are potentially
going to be the host. They need to consider the
amount of work that it does take to host host
the game and and host that weekend. And you know,
facility is a big part of that et cetera. So, uh,
(28:23):
certainly you're going to be open to anyone who is
interested in bidding. We will give everyone the same the
same review and and assessment. But but at this at
this point, if if they are interested, they will have
the opportunity just like anybody else.
Speaker 1 (28:41):
Thank you, Morgan. Let's go to a grave rock act. Greg,
you're open, Greg, you can go ahead and take yourself
off a mute.
Speaker 14 (28:50):
Yet that yep, Greg Rockotch from mt and Sports in Montana.
This question, I guess would be for either Mark or Tie.
I'm just, you know, curious about your thoughts on parody.
Uh in the f CS obviously, as you know, it's
it's been kind of a two horse race, you know,
(29:10):
in terms of conferences, Uh, as far as the championship
is concerned with the Missouri Valley in Big Sky, and
maybe just a thought on where you think the f
CS is in terms of of parody and maybe trying
to you know, your hope for for more teams being competitive,
(29:31):
to to try to get to the to the top.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
I think from my perspective, there's a lot of conversations
in the eighty world of FCS about UH teams from
other leagues making sure they try to go Like for
us at Chattanooga, we're playing Taulton State, and I know,
you know last year we played Portland State, I know,
North Dakota State, as we mentioned place Tennessee State, the Citadel,
(29:59):
you know, really trying to encourage other conferences for to
play you know, the Big Sky, Missouri Valley, other conferences
to make sure they're out of conference in that we
see where we are with that parody and what work
needs to be done. I think it's very very important
to the leagues to make sure UH they reach out
(30:22):
of being regional and play the top teams and other
leagues to see where they stack up. And it's certainly
helpful for us when those those games are being played.
Speaker 15 (30:37):
Thank you, can I maybe thank you of the twelfth
game also impacting FCS, and so we're ready to see
some change within the subdivision relative to scheduling that may
be exciting.
Speaker 1 (30:51):
Thank you best, Sam Herder, go ahead.
Speaker 6 (30:57):
Uh yeah.
Speaker 8 (30:57):
One more question, this one from Mark Just what is
the you know, with the IVY League now adjoining the playoffs.
You know that's been something fans and media have one
and for many years. So just the general I guess
overall excitement level to add them to the mix and
you know, kind of see what some of those known
brand names can do on the national stage.
Speaker 2 (31:19):
We're excited about it. You know, we often look at
some of those IVY League games when they play the
Northeast Conference or the CIA, and I think it's going
to be very interesting. I think early about how we
measured the ten games versus the eleven games or twelve games.
But we're really excited to have them in there and
(31:41):
see how they stack up. And just you know, we
have a committee member and looking forward to to learning
more and having a lot of those historic programs in
the playoffs.
Speaker 1 (31:53):
Thank you, Thank you, Sam dom Izzo, eure up, go ahead.
Speaker 9 (32:01):
Thanks Jim Ty one other sorry, I have to the
TV guy. I have to ask the TV questions. With
the now of the twelve games, is there a advent
of more of national windows in the week zero time
frame for the FCS that you've talked with ESPN about that,
Hey we can because now the Las Vegas games being
(32:21):
announced this week, is that something that you can help
with that say, hey, there's more windows for to get
SCS teams on national television now.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
Yeah, Dom, good, good question, and Beth, thank you for
bringing that up. The you know, FBS is maintaining their
current week zero legislation which really doesn't allow for many
games the game in Ireland for them or quargant team,
but that is open now for all fcs to schedule
(32:51):
games FCS versus FCS in week zero in twenty twenty six.
I certainly will not be surprised if there are a
decent number of teams that are interested in scheduling and
doing that. Obviously, you have to bring your players back
a little bit earlier, so there's some expense there. But
(33:13):
we've had some conversations with ESPN just to just to
say yep, that's that's part of it, but not just ESPN.
It's a it's across.
Speaker 6 (33:21):
The board.
Speaker 1 (33:23):
Mark.
Speaker 9 (33:24):
One thing for you just being seeing how Matt did
this the last couple of years and then the advent
of seeding the sixteen. How did that make it easier
in the room, Frankly on Saturday night Sunday that you
had sixteen teams to see.
Speaker 6 (33:40):
Yeah, I mean it added to.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
I don't want to say the stress, but we just
wanted to make sure, you know, we got one through
four right, and we got five through eight right, and
you know, so on and so forth. That we spent
a lot of time making sure and obviously there's a
lot of games on that Saturday they were in the
room that that mattered, and so you know, we started
(34:05):
a little later. But I feel like for the first time,
obviously being the first time, we want to make sure
we got it right. And I believe what we saw,
you know, the last season play out that we did
a tremendous job and I certainly learned a lot from
Matt and obviously Tie and the rules that we put
(34:25):
in place to be able to see teams that I'm
excited for this year. And it's always, you know, the challenge,
but you know, with the good work of the committee,
I think we're gonna get it right and I'm excited
about it.
Speaker 9 (34:40):
Thanks guys, really appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (34:43):
Thank you. Don Do we have any other questions for
our group. If you do, go ahead and raise your
hand and we'll go back to Greg.
Speaker 14 (34:53):
Greg, go ahead, Yes, thanks again, this one, I guess
for time, just a question about the future and what
things might look like down the road. Does does it
give you any pauses as we can continue to see teams,
you know, moving conferences and you know.
Speaker 1 (35:15):
Moving up. We've seen we've seen it.
Speaker 14 (35:17):
Through the years. So just in terms of the future
of f c S, what what are your thoughts on
you know, what it might look like going forward.
Speaker 3 (35:27):
Yeah, I can take my my NCAA hat off a
little bit because we don't we don't have any legislation
or rules about how conferences are are are you know, connected,
or if people move, et cetera. But uh, f c
S as a whole, I think really is in a
strong position for those that that that believe that they
(35:49):
fit well in f cs and and understand that we've
been fortunate to have you know, a lot of leaders
on our Championship Committee, but also the Oversight Committee. I
think that's a big part of at least my vision
for the weekend is to to make sure we're talking
about the value of f c S. The value of
(36:09):
where f c S uh institutions are and even those
that don't have football, you know that are kind of
aligned with f c S. There's there's a lot of
value in in in where where f c S sits
and and uh, and I think, you know, institutions have
to make their own calls and they have different vision,
(36:30):
different approach to things, and that's certainly fine. I I
feel I feel like the future f CS is strong
and and UH that's my role is to make sure
the championship and the and the division gets what they
need to to be able to support and and and
maybe expand and push forward. At f c S. It's
(36:50):
it's a it's an interesting group of schools. You know,
we've got every every everything from top to bottom, state
schools and private schools, et cetera. But coming together and
playing a really high level brand of football I think
makes a lot of a lot of good sense for
folks that that have been thriving and succeeding in it.
(37:12):
I'm not on campus, so I can't can't tell you
what what all those things look like. But you know,
Mark or Beth may may have better better thoughts on that,
but I I think I've had a long career at
the NCAA and believe FCS is underrated.
Speaker 1 (37:33):
Thank you, Greg, Sam Herder go ahead, you're up.
Speaker 6 (37:38):
Yeah, one more for me, Beth. Question for you.
Speaker 8 (37:41):
I'm just curious about the OVC and like the responsibilities
you guys have as far as helping out with the
lead up of this game and FCS Championship weekend.
Speaker 6 (37:51):
What does that all? What does that all entail for
your conference?
Speaker 13 (37:55):
Sure?
Speaker 6 (37:55):
No, thank you for the question.
Speaker 5 (37:57):
As I noted, the partnership with the Sports Council is strong.
We've had the privilege of hosting basketball events on behalf
of the NCAA and also a Women's Final Four together,
so we play to one another's strengths. Our staff will
be intricately involved along with the Sports Council staff to
provide background support. Obviously, we run championships all the time,
(38:19):
so we have a staff ready to go, whether it's
media or operations, to help support in that regard. Additionally,
in the commissioner's role, my responsibility is to be the
kind of wit in the room to the FCS commissioners,
to be able to translate information, to share information, and
also to get ideas from the commissioners the Commissioner's room
has to be supportive of this championship. I've also been
(38:42):
privileged for over seventeen years to serve as the liaison
to the Athletics director's community within the FCS, so again
to have a dialogue with that group to make sure
that this championship is representative of the community of administrators
that support its role. And at this stage in my career,
it's nice to be able to put all the pieces together.
(39:04):
I'll close ham with saying I'm really confident given the
experience that the Sports Council has and working the bull
combined with our experience in the commitment of Vanderbilt, that
you bring people to the table to host this championship
that really will support the vision of what the NCAA
staff and committee want for this championship. And I think
we all share a commitment to just making sure we
(39:26):
can do the absolute best for FCS.
Speaker 6 (39:28):
So I hope that's helpful. Yeah, awesome, Thank you all
appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Thanks so much, Sam, and we have time for one
more Morgan, go ahead, Europe.
Speaker 13 (39:41):
Yes, this is for anyone. Recently, Incarnate Word announced a
home and home series with the Bison, which is North
Dakota State. With that being said, how exciting is it
for playoff implications to have that seat rescheduled and maybe
(40:02):
have a shift in terms of who gets into the
college football playoffs.
Speaker 2 (40:13):
As I mentioned earlier, you know, I think there's more
and more emphasis like North Dakota State's doing playing a
school like incarnate word that year and year out is
in the conversation of the you know, the playoffs that
it's a great litmus test on both those programs on
how they compete. And it certainly helps us one data
(40:35):
point at the end of the year to know that
there is top competition between two good leagues at Southland
in the Missouri Valley. That certainly helps the committee.
Speaker 1 (40:52):
Thank you Morgan. That will pretty much wrap everything up.
Just one more reminder that tickets will go on Selle
to the general public on Saturday, September sixth. You'll be
able to go to NCAA dot com backslash tickets for
all of that information. But I want to thank Mark,
I want to thank best, Scott and Tye for joining us.
(41:14):
They want to thank everybody else, all of our media
for joining us as well. We're excited about the twenty
twenty five football season and excited to get down to
Nashville the first week in January for our championship. So
thank you very much to everybody, and thanks to our
group here talking today. Have a great day, everybody.
Speaker 3 (41:32):
Thanks everybody, Thank you.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.