|
America's universities are beginning to consider a nationwide competition, but scheduling and cost will likely require union subsidies.
No sooner has the expansive Midwest territory revamped its first division than discussions of merging with the Middle Atlantic and even New England have gained renewed currency. The threesome are the country's most populous, if not the strongest. Inspired by the senior Super League as well as the stultifying predictability of the 16-team college national championship tournament, administrators hope a continental university competition would improve the week-in, week-out fixtures of teams like Army, Penn State, Navy, Brigham Young, or Cal. But Eastern seaboard and Midwestern teams play a so-called split season that is broken for snow from November through February, while the western schools generally compete from January through to May's finals. Though split-season schools complain about the setup, the proposal to move the season to fall would both divorce the college game from the club season -- tied to international fixtures in June and July -- and pit rugby against football. Additionally, a nationwide league could create major travel headaches. Even the NCAA's 'money sports' -- football and basketball
-- mostly play regional schedules so students don't miss too much class time. Meanwhile, American Super League teams spend an average of $100,000 per season, and of course club members hold paying jobs. A college super league would be a major new commitment for USA Rugby, which recently had to put back plans to professionalize the North American 4 competition for lack of cash. |
