College playoffs expected going back to schools

The collegiate championship's preliminary rounds are likely heading back to university venues, after a one-year off-campus experiment.

USA Rugby yesterday began soliciting hosts for its 2009 championships, expressly indicating it would prefer schools to host the round of 16 and quarterfinal matches. In a widely unpopular move, this past spring the union brought all of the collegiate qualifiers -- men and women, division 1 and 2 -- to a non-rugby, municipal facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For many in the American game, competing the national championships is the primary benefit of paying USARFU dues. The Albuquerque venue was criticized by participants and others (including Gainline.us) as taking the competition out of its native environment, primarily to benefit sponsors and national office staff, at the expense of cross-country travel and player welfare.

Though the 2009 sitings are far from set, the changed course signals competition director Dan Payne has been given broader authority over next year's program. Payne, a 2007 World Cup forward and coach of San Diego State, is seen as closer to the game on the ground, and favors stronger ties with the university environment.

'To grow the game at the collegiate level, I feel we need to continue to make our presence known on campus as part of the university setting,' Payne said in an email. 'But, then again, it's a balance between venues that express interest, efficiencies for the participating teams, and the type of experience it will offer the player,' he added.

Returning the collegiate prelims to the university environment would likely mean multiple venues. Prior to 2006, the knockout format used up to four venues per competition.

Stanford University, acclaimed host of recent collegiate finals, is not confirmed for 2009, according to Payne.

Comments

[Really?]

4 regional playoffs for D1 men
2 region playoffs for D2 men
1 location for the finals

But them all on college campuses, and it will be a major step forward.

Don't know about the women's championships, but my gut says it should be split and assigned a dedicated member/volunteer by USA Rugby.

[Please!]

can the national championships please be held anywhere but northern california? It is essentially homefield advantage for cal and is literally homefield advantage for the Stanford women. West Point has beautiful facilities, and New York City is an easy place to get to!