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+---- Thread: NCAA D1 Test Pilot Program (/thread-821883.html)
NCAA D1 Test Pilot Program - DavidSt - 07-14-2017 09:19 AM
I visited the NCAA website that they do have a Test Pilot Program for schools that fall outside the norms for regular colleges and universities for sports. I saw that Alaska Pacific was a test pilot for D1 for some sports that they offered.
Apprentice also have like an agreement as a test pilot to allow trade schools to be involved in NCAA. They could participate, but are not allowed to be in post season right now.
There is one right now in D2 from Illinois or Indiana, can't remember which.
Now, what if NCAA D1 allows D2, D3, NAIA and Junior colleges be part of D1 as a test pilot as Independents who can get schedule agreements with D1 conferences. They could be counted as D1 opponents under the program. Which means Chaminade and the both Alaska schools could be counted in Men's basketball as D1 games. This could give these schools some money to build onto their program. Lets say in 4 years of the test pilot? This group of schools could be expansion candidates, and be invited to a conference and be automatically be allowed to go post season in their first year in joining the conference. This could work for the GNAC football schools, Azusa Pacific, Hawaii-West Oahu (adding sports and could add football in the future), Arizona Western (if they go to 4 years), UC-San Diego, Rowan, Linfield, Occidental, MIT, Johns Hopkins, Bentley, Southern New Hampshire, Merrimack, the Lone Star Conference schools, Lindenwood, Tuskegee, and some more. FBS can do the same for schools that want FBS who could get a schedule agreement as an Independent in football. They could be called upon if the Bowls need a winning record school if they are 8-4 and over.
Azusa Pacific could be in the Pilot Program for the 4 years, and the WAC invited them and Big Sky for football. They could be able to compete in the FCS football the first year they are invited, and the other tournaments. Central Arkansas had winning records when they joined the Southland Conference, but were not eligible because they were transituating to D1 for football. If UCA went through the test pilot? They would not have to wait that long, and Southland could have fielded better teams in the FCS playoffs in those years. WAC, Summit, Horizon, A-Sun and Big South could use some more key schools. They could grab several schools from the pool of the Test Pilot Program.