maac men’s & women’s basketball scheduling review october 2010

MAAC Men’s & Women’s MAAC Men’s & Women’s Basketball Scheduling ReviewBasketball Scheduling Review

OCTOBER 2010OCTOBER 2010

MAAC Television PoliciesMAAC Television PoliciesGoals set forth in MAAC Constitution:

Bylaw 1.23 To increase exposure and recognition of the MAAC and its member

institutions. To help maintain conference ranking by assisting member

institution’s student-athlete recruiting efforts and scheduling ability. To showcase top MAAC programs. To increase the ability of member institutions to attract students,

and maintain and improve external relations with alumni and the business community.

2MAAC COMMITTEE ON ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION FALL 2010

MAAC Television PoliciesMAAC Television PoliciesHighlights from MAAC Bylaw 1.23.2: MAAC retains right to all 180 (90 men’s & 90 women’s) conference games

in order to develop a conference television package.

Each institution guaranteed two appearances in the television package developed each year.

Starting in 2009-2010, the package included a late season wildcard date where all 10 men’s programs are scheduled on the same date.◦ Three weeks prior to game, ESPN will select two best games for broadcast: one on

ESPN2 and one on ESPNU.

Once MAAC schedule is completed, schools can market their own remaining games to be broadcast on television in MAAC footprint only, internet and/or radio.

MAAC COMMITTEE ON ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION FALL 2010 3

Scheduling GuidelinesScheduling Guidelines Each team plays 18 games, 9 home and 9 away.

18 dates of play over nine weekends. Each team plays two games between Thursday and Monday on each weekend.◦ Men play one December weekend and eight weekends starting with

January 1 through MAAC Tournament. Men’s programs take off one weekend in February to participate in ESPNU BracketBusters

◦ Women play nine two game pods starting the first weekend in January.

Friday/Sunday preferred to minimize missed class time and obtain better officials.

Thursday/Saturday and Saturday/Monday also permissible.


Scheduling GuidelinesScheduling GuidelinesFactors that can cause variance of this policy (Thurs/Sat, Fri/Sun, Sat/Mon):

Television Clearances (i.e. ESPNU, MSG and MASN do not have contracted days of the week for clearances).

On campus facility conflicts and arena availability.

Calendar quirks: ◦ New Year’s Day 2011 is on a Saturday of a MAAC weekend.

Men’s programs used Wednesday prior to BracketBusters to replace what would have been a game either 12/31 or 1/1. Women’s programs elected to play Sunday 1/2 and Tuesday 1/4.



Scheduling ProcessScheduling Process1. Gather list of arena availability, facility conflicts and other

important dates. 2. Identify ESPN2 wildcard date and two preferred matchups.3. Develop remainder of TV matchups (15 men’s/5 women’s).4. Identify television windows with ESPN, MSG and MASN.5. Build travel for Canisius and Niagara home and away

games.6. Develop home schedule for Fairfield and Siena based on

arena availability.7. Input remaining games into open dates.

Take into consideration special requests.8. Analyze missed class time.

Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Gather list of arena availability, facility conflicts and other important dates.

Each school is asked to submit a list of closed arena dates and special requests by August 1.

All dates blacked out by on-campus events must be honored.

Best efforts are made to accommodate special requests.◦ One helpful item for special requests is to provide multiple

dates as an option.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Determine arena availability Fairfield and Siena are second tenants behind the Bridgeport

Sound Tigers and Albany Devils of the American Hockey League.◦ Both hockey teams require approximately 23-28 home dates on

weekend dates between mid-October and mid-April. Arenas also host annual events during January and February:

◦ Times Union Center Monster Trucks: Mid-January Home show: second week of February NY State Wresting: last weekend of February

◦ Arena at Harbor Yard Disney On Ice: Nine day block in early to mid January Motorsport show: Martin Luther King Day weekend.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesFairfieldDates: # gamesDec 2, 3 & 5 2Jan 3 1Jan 8, 9 & 10 2Jan 28, 29, 30 & 31 2Feb 4 & 6 2Feb 16 1Feb 25 1Total # of open dates: 15Usable windows: 11

SienaDates: #gamesDec 2 & 4 2Jan 3 1Jan 13, 15 & 17 2Jan 24 1Jan 27, 29, 30 & 31 2Feb 3, 4, 5 & 7 2Feb 16 1Feb 27 1Total # of open dates: 17Usable windows: 12


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Determine arena availability

Other MAAC Men’s date conflicts: Canisius: None Iona: None Loyola: 1/21, 1/22, 2/17, 2/18, 2/25 Manhattan: 2/18 Marist: 1/15, 1/16, 2/19, 2/20 Niagara: None Rider: None Saint Peter’s: None


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Determine school preferences:Doubleheader Status: Canisius: Yes. Fairfield: Only on weekend dates due to arena. Iona: Yes. Loyola: Only on weekend dates. Manhattan: Yes. Marist: No, unless TV is involved.

◦ Able to generate revenue on separate women’s ticket and limited parking. Niagara: Starting in 2011-12: No, unless TV involved. Rider: No, unless TV is involved. Saint Peter’s: Yes. Siena: Yes 1-2 times per year.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 2:Identify ESPN2 date and preferred matchups.

ESPN and MAAC discuss potential wildcard date matchups. ◦ 2011 targeted matchups:

Siena at Fairfield Iona at Saint Peter’s

MAAC submits preferred dates for wild card games. Dates are limited due to Fairfield’s arena availability.

◦ 1st preference: February 25 ◦ 2nd preference: February 4 ◦ ESPN confirmed February 25 as wildcard date on August 13.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 3: Develop remainder of TV matchups 15 men’s and five women’s.

◦ Each school guaranteed two appearances on TV package (but no guarantee on network).

◦ For last five seasons the practice has been to provide equal regular season coverage for men’s (3 appearances/team) and women (1 appearance/team).

ESPNU shift in philosophy◦ Starting with 2010-2011, ESPN exercised contractual right to have final

approval of all ESPNU matchups.◦ ESPNU distribution increased to over 70 million homes.◦ ESPN treats matchups on ESPNU similar to how they treat ESPN and

ESPN2 games: to get the best possible matchups available in order to maximize viewership.

◦ In previous years, MAAC worked to get all 10 programs on ESPNU.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 3: Develop remainder of TV matchups ESPNU shift in philosophy (continued)

◦ ESPN requested that in the six predetermined games, the projected top teams be included as much as possible.

◦ ESPN “college basketball experts” (talent and writers covering the MAAC) and the MAAC office give input to programming on which are the projected top teams.

◦ Based upon performance last season and projections for upcoming year, ESPN decided to exclude Manhattan and Marist men’s teams from pre-determined games.

◦ MAAC and ESPN discussed at length the issue of excluding Marist as a home site for a women’s game. Ultimately, ESPN decided against a game at Marist.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 3: Develop remainder of TV matchups ESPNU shift in philosophy (continued)

◦ ESPN did identify three sites and matchups for men’s/women’s DH:◦ Women’s matchups:

Fairfield at Loyola Niagara at Canisius Marist at Iona

◦ ESPN worked with MAAC to select: Rider at Niagara Friday, January 7 9:00pm Fairfield at Loyola Friday, January 14 7:00pm (women at 4:30pm) Saint Peter’s at Siena Friday, January 21 9:00pm Niagara at Canisius Friday, January 28 7:00pm (women at 4:30pm) Iona at Fairfield Friday, February 4 9:00pm Siena at Iona Friday, February 11 7:00pm (women at

4:30pm)

◦ ESPN sets the game times.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 4: Indentifying television windows. ESPN contract calls for eight regular season games:

◦ 1 on ESPN2 (One Friday in conjunction with ESPNU date)◦ 7 on ESPNU (Seven Fridays in January and February)

Contract calls for two of the seven ESPNU dates to be men’s/women’s doubleheaders. For last five years, MAAC able to negotiate three of the seven Friday windows as men’s/

women’s doubleheaders with the women’s game preceding the men’s game.

ESPNR contract calls for a similar number of games year to year to be produced and cleared on MSG/MASN and other networks.◦ 9 regular season men’s dates were scheduled in 2010-2011 with two

being men’s/women’s doubleheaders with the women’s game preceding the men’s game scheduled that night.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 4: Indentifying television windows. ESPNU TV Dates

◦ MAAC has traditional Friday night time slot on ESPNU in January & February.

◦ Some Friday night dates occur in early January prior to students returning from holiday break.

MSG/MASN TV Dates:◦ Scheduled on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays after students return

from break.◦ MSG clears MAAC games once it confirms the following:

Pro Teams (Knicks, Rangers, Devils, Islanders) Big East ESPN Regional TV games This process was completed on September 21 this year.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesMSG/MASN Regular Season TV Schedule

◦ Loyola at Marist Saturday, January 22

◦ Saint Peter’s at Manhattan Sunday, January 23

◦ Rider at Siena Monday, January 24

◦ Saint Peter’s at Siena (W) Monday, January 24

◦ Manhattan at Marist Sunday, January 30

◦ Canisius at Fairfield Monday, January 31

◦ Marist at Niagara Sunday, February 6

◦ Manhattan at Iona Monday, February 7

◦ Canisius at Loyola Sunday, February 13

◦ Rider at Saint Peter’s Sunday, February 27

◦ Niagara at Rider (W) Sunday, February 27


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesBreakdown of appearance by network


Team ESPNU MSG # games

Canisius Home (M/W) 1/28 Away 1/31 , Away 2/13 3M, 1W

Fairfield Away (M/W) 1/14, Home 2/4 Home 1/31 3M, 1W

Iona Away 2/4, Home 2/11 (M/W) Home 2/7 3M, 1W

Loyola Home 1/14 (M/W) Away 1/22, Home 2/13 3M, 1W

Manhattan Away 1/28 (W) Home 1/23, Away 1/30, Away 2/7 3M, 1W

Marist Away 2/11 (W) Home 1/22, Home 1/22, Away 2/6 3M, 1W

Niagara Home 1/7, Away 1/28 Home 2/6, Away (W) 2/27 3M, 1W

Rider Away 1/7 Away 1/24, Home 2/27 (M/W) 3M, 1W

Saint Peter’s Home 1/21 Away 1/23, Away 1/24 (W), Away 2/27 3M, 1W

Siena Away 1/21, Away 2/11 Home 1/24 (M/W) 3M, 1W

Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 5: Build travel for Canisius and Niagara All teams play in Buffalo on same weekend over 3 days. For road games Canisius and Niagara play:

◦ Three weekends with a paired trip such as Manhattan/Saint Peter’s

◦ Two other single trip weekends where they play each other on one end of the weekend and a single road game on the opposite end.

It is important to address these travel factors of the schedule early in the process so that balance can be achieved.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 5: Build travel for Canisius and NiagaraMen’s Sample Schedule:

December 3-5 Away (this is predetermined each year)January 3 Split (Away --part of split with 2/16)January 8-10 Home (NU TV on Friday)January 15-17 AwayJanuary 21-23 HomeJanuary 28-31 Split (Friday both on TV, CC TV on Mon) February 4-6 Home (NU TV on Sunday)February 11-13 Away (CC TV on Sunday)February 16 Split (CC at NU on Wednesday)February 25-27 Home


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--Challenges


Step 6: Develop home schedule for Fairfield and Siena

FairfieldDates: # gamesDec 2, 3 & 5 2Jan 3 1Jan 8, 9 & 10 2Jan 28, 29, 30 & 31 2Feb 4 & 6 2Feb 16 1Feb 25 1Total # of open dates: 15Usable windows: 11

SienaDates: #gamesDec 2 & 4 2Jan 3 1Jan 13, 15 & 17 2Jan 24 1Jan 27, 29, 30 & 31 2Feb 3, 4, 5 & 7 2Feb 16 1Feb 27 1Total # of open dates: 17Usable windows: 12


Fairfield Used DatesDec 5 Jan 3 Jan 10 Jan 28Jan 31 (TV) Feb 4 (TV)Feb 6 Feb 16 Feb 25 (targeted for TV)

Siena Used DatesDec 10Jan 3Jan 17 Jan 24 (TV)Jan 30Feb 4Feb 7Feb 16Feb 27


Step 6: Develop home schedule for Fairfield and Siena

Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 7: Input remaining games At this point 57 of the 90 games are scheduled. Input the remaining games with following factors:

◦ Limit missed class time.

◦ Give teams no more than four consecutive home or away games.

◦ Balance number of home and away games while students are on winter break.

◦ Analyze spacing issues.

◦ Spread out games against same opponent.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 8: Analyze days of missed classMen’s Basketball:

Fall: Spring: Total DaysCanisius: 1.5 2.5 4Fairfield: 1 2 3Iona: 0 2.0 2Loyola: 0 3.5 3.5Manhattan: 0 2.0 2Marist: 0 3 3.5Niagara: 1.5 1.5 3Rider: 0.5 3.5 4Saint Peter’s: 1 3 4Siena 0 4 4


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesWomen’s Basketball Schedule The number of broadcast dates and arena dates require the men’s

schedule to be completed first. Upon completion of the men’s schedule the women’s schedule is

developed using the same process as the men: Step 1: Identify on-campus facility conflicts:

◦ One additional conflict matter is doubleheader preferences. Step 2: Complete TV Schedule

◦ TV schedule is set in conjunction with men’s broadcast windows on ESPNU and MSG/MASN.

Step 3: Build travel schedule for Canisius/Niagara. Step 4: Input remainder of games. Step 5: Analyze missed class time.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Identify on campus facility conflictsMAAC Women’s Basketball blacked out dates, men’s home games and no

doubleheaders: Canisius: None Fairfield: 2/25 Iona: None Loyola: 1/21, 1/22, 2/17, 2/18, 2/25, 2/26 Manhattan: 2/18 Marist: 1/7, 1/14, 1/15, 1/16, 1/22, 1/30, 2/11, 2/13, 2/19, 2/20, 2/25 Niagara: 1/7, 1/9, 1/21, 1/23, 2/4, 2/6, 2/16, 2/19, 2/25, 2/27 Rider: 1/3, 1/14, 1/17, 1/20, 2/4, 2/11, 2/13, 2/19, 2/27 Saint Peter’s: None Siena: None Total closed out dates: 38


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Identify on campus facility conflicts Blackout dates, men’s schedules, doubleheaders concerns

◦ Two schools cannot have doubleheaders unless TV is involved (Marist & Rider).

◦ One school cannot host doubleheaders at all (Niagara). Starting in 2010-2011 can host when TV is involved.

◦ One school requests doubleheaders only on weekends (Loyola).◦ Two schools requests limited doubleheaders due to arena

availability (Fairfield & Siena).◦ Working around already closed dates for on-campus facilities

and doubleheaders can cause: Split trips for teams Increased missed class time Increased travel expenses


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Identify on campus facility conflictsMAAC Women’s Basketball preferred dates: Sunday, January 2 & Tuesday, January 4 Saturday, January 8 & Tuesday, January 10 Friday, January 14 & Sunday, January 16 Friday, January 21 & Sunday, January 23 Friday, January 28 & Sunday, January 30 Friday, February 4 & Sunday, February 6 Friday, February 11 & Sunday, February 13 Friday, February 18 & Sunday, February 20 Friday, February 25 & Sunday, February 27These dates are preferred; however, adjustments are permitted to address

issues such as missed class time, television windows, arena doubleheaders, school doubleheader preferences and on-campus facility conflicts.


Scheduling Process—ChallengesScheduling Process—ChallengesScheduling only on preferred dates Scheduling only on preferred dates


Preferred Dates Marist Loyola Rider

Jan 2 & 4 2 2 2

Jan 8 & 10 2 2 2

Jan 14 & 16 0 2 (TV) 1

Jan 21 & 23 2 1 2

Jan 28 & 30 1 2 2

Feb 4 & 6 2 2 1

Feb 11 & 13 0 (TV) 1 0

Feb 18 & 20 1 1 2

Feb 25 & 27 1 1 2 (TV)

Total Availability 11 out of 18 14 out 18 14 out 18

Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 1: Identify on campus facility conflicts

Previous chart showed available windows using only preferred dates of play.

Following chart shows available windows allowing adjustments off of preferred dates by using Thursdays, Saturdays or Mondays to fit two games in each week.

All adjustments are balanced against missed class time.


Scheduling Process—ChallengesScheduling Process—ChallengesScheduling on useable datesScheduling on useable dates


Usable Dates Marist Loyola Rider

Jan 2 & 4 2 2 2

Jan 8 & 10 2 2 2

Jan 13-17 2 (Thu & Mon) 2 (TV) 2

Jan 20-24 2 1 2

Jan 27-31 2 2 2

Feb 3-7 2 2 2

Feb 10-14 1 (TV) 2 2

Feb 17-21 2 (No Sat-Sun) 2 2

Feb 25 & 27 1 1 2 (TV)

Total Availability 16 out of 18 16 out 18 18 out 18

Scheduling Process—ChallengesScheduling Process—ChallengesAnalysis of Preferred dates vs. Useable dates Conclusion:

◦ It is necessary and beneficial to adjust off of preferred dates in some instances to provide more available home dates for all schools.

◦ This allows better flexibility to reduce missed class time, meet special requests and schedule cost effective travel.

Negative impact: ◦ Adjustments can cause unequal spacing between games.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 2: MAAC Women’s TV Schedule

ESPNUFriday, January 14: Fairfield at LoyolaFriday, January 28: Manhattan at CanisiusFriday, February 11: Marist at IonaNote: only eight schools were originally considered as a site for ESPNU

contests per ESPN request.

MSGMonday, January 24: Saint Peter’s at SienaSunday, February 27: Niagara at RiderNote: only Saint Peter’s, Siena or Rider could host a women’s TV game due

Niagara’s on campus facility limitation.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 3: Build travel for Canisius and NiagaraWomen’s Sample Schedule:

January 2-4 HomeJanuary 8-10 AwayJanuary 14-16 HomeJanuary 21-23 AwayJanuary 28-30 Home (CC TV Friday)February 4-6 AwayFebruary 12-14 SplitFebruary 18-20 HomeFebruary 25-27 Split (NU TV Sunday)


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 4: Input remaining games At this point 37 of the 90 games are scheduled. Input the remaining games with following factors:

◦ Limit missed class time.

◦ Give teams no more than four consecutive home or away games.

◦ Balance number of home and away games while students are away on winter break.

◦ Analyze spacing issues.

◦ Spread out games against same opponent.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesStep 5: Analyze days of missed class

Women’s Basketball (conference games only):Total Days

Canisius: 4.5Fairfield: 1.5Iona: 2.5Loyola: 4.5Manhattan: 4.0Marist: 2.5Niagara: 4.5Rider: 3.5Saint Peter’s: 1.5Siena 3


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Analysis—Men’s Common Issue # 1 Teams play same opponent within a few days: sometimes 6 or

7 days apart. Every effort is made to ensure teams have at least two other

games in between games against the same opponent. Elements considered prior to this issue:

Television Schedule. Missed class time. Arena availability. Increasing time between can negatively impact consecutive

home or consecutive away contests.


Issue # 1 Example:

Canisius vs. Siena Men play 10 days apart (Jan 7 and Jan 17). 1. Siena was locked into trip at Canisius January 7-9

Canisius Home January 21-23, but Siena had TV game on January 21. Canisius Home Feb 4-6, but Siena only had two usable other home dates in

February. Putting them in Buffalo this weekend would have caused five of last seven league games away.

Canisius Home Feb 25-27, but Siena locked into targeted wildcard game

2. Canisius was locked into trip at Siena on January 17. Siena had a home date on Dec 2 but Canisius was locked into at Marist/Iona Siena home January 3, but that would make 2 games in 4 days. Siena had January 30 or 31, but Canisius had TV at Fairfield (Siena played

Niagara that day). Siena had no arena availability on Canisius road weekend of Feb 11-13.




Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesCanisius Date Siena

@ Marist/Iona Dec 3-5 Dec 2

Away Jan 3 Jan 3 Home

Home vs. Sie 1/7 Jan 7-9 @ Can 1/7

Away (@ Sie 1/17) Jan 15-17 Jan 13, 15, 17vs. Can 1/17

Home Jan 21-23 @ SPC (ESPNU)

1/28 NU (TV) 1/31@ FF (TV)

Jan 28-30 Jan 27, 29, 30, 31

Home Feb 4-6 Feb, 3, 4,5,7

Away Feb 11-13 Away

@ NU Feb 16 Home

Home Feb 25-27 2/25 @ FF (TV)

Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Analysis—Men’s Common Issue # 2 I have one day to prepare for my opponent, but my opponent

has two days to prepare for me.

◦ Elements considered prior to this issue: Television Schedule. Missed class time. Arena availability. Travel costs for road trips.


Issue # 2 Example: Weekend of January 14-17Loyola at Saint Peter’s on Monday, January 17

Previous games: Fairfield at Loyola on Friday, January 14 – ESPNU game Niagara at Saint Peter’s on Saturday, January 15

Loyola has spacing advantageCanisius at Siena on Monday, January 17

Previous games: Siena at Marist on Friday, January 14 Canisius at Manhattan on Saturday, January 15Siena has spacing advantage Can you move NU at SPC and CAN at MAN to

Friday, January 14th? No, see following chart.



Date Matchups

Friday, January 14 Fairfield at Loyola (ESPNU)Siena at Marist

Saturday, January 15 Niagara at Saint Peter’sCanisius at ManhattanMarist no facility availability

Sunday, January 16 Siena no arena availabilityMarist no facility availability

Monday January 17 Loyola at Saint Peter’sCanisius at SienaNiagara at Manhattan



Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Analysis—Selection of Wildcard day matchups

Five games were scheduled on Friday, February 25 ESPN selected target matchups:

◦ Siena at Fairfield◦ Iona vs. Saint Peter’s

How do you select remaining games? Canisius/Niagara scheduled at home…who goes to Buffalo that weekend?

◦ Four teams remain: Loyola, Manhattan, Marist, Rider.◦ Rider was picked for TV game at Niagara on 1/7.◦ Marist was picked for TV game at Niagara on 2/6.◦ Only two remaining schools to Buffalo are Loyola and Manhattan.◦ Loyola at Niagara, Manhattan at Canisius.◦ Rider vs. Marist are only two teams left so they are last matchup.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Analysis—Women’s Common Issue # 1 I have one day to prepare for my opponent, but my opponent

has two days to prepare for me.

◦ Elements considered prior to this issue: Television Schedule. Missed class time. Arena availability. Travel costs for road trips.


Issue # 2 Example: Weekend of February 11-14Canisius at Marist on Monday, February 14

Previous games: Marist at Iona on Friday, February 11 (ESPNU game). Canisius at Niagara on Saturday, February 12.

Marist has the spacing advantage.◦ Can you move Canisius at Niagara to Friday, February 11?

Yes, but move would shift spacing advantage to Niagara having advantage over Loyola.

Canisius/Niagara have requested to play rivalry game on Saturday when possible.

◦ Can you move the entire weekend to Fri./Sun. to make equal spacing for all teams? No because of following reasons:

Rider has no on-campus facility availability on Feb. 11 and Feb. 13. Marist has no on campus availability on Feb. 13. Loyola not available Feb 11 because of men’s game scheduled and they don

not prefer doubleheaders on weeknights.



Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Analysis—Women’s Common Issue # 2We requested to have doubleheaders and we were given

very few.

◦Elements considered prior to this issue: Television schedule Home and away balance Missed class time Arena/On-campus facility availability


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesIssue #2 Example

Fairfield potential double header dates:◦ Mon, Jan. 3 – Women have to play first weekend Sun, Jan. 2 and Tues, Jan. 4.

◦ Sun, Jan. 9 – Women have to play second weekend Sat, Jan 8 and Mon, Jan 10.

◦ Fri, Jan. 28 – Saint Peter’s had to be at Fairfield to provide equal first/second half balance.

◦ Mon, Jan. 31 – Cannot have a doubleheader on a weekday due to arena availability and presence of TV for men’s game.

◦ Fri, Feb. 4 – Have to be at Iona to achieve equal first/second half balance (if were to flip home/away, FFD would start first 5 games on the road).

◦ Sun, Feb. 6 – Home DH vs. Marist.

◦ Wed, Feb. 16 – Out of traditional playing dates for WBB (Fri/Sun, Sat/Mon, Thurs/Sat).

◦ Sat, Feb 19 – Home DH vs. Loyola.


Scheduling Process--ChallengesScheduling Process--ChallengesIssue #2 Example

Iona potential double header dates:◦ Fri, Jan. 7 and Sun, Jan. 9 – Women have to play second

weekend Sat, Jan 8 and Mon, Jan 10.

◦ Sun, Jan 16 – Could not flip Iona/Loyola matchups because of Loyola’s facility restrictions on Feb. 25.

◦ Thurs, Jan. 27 – Could not move game to Thursday because Siena would then play three games in six days due to TV.

◦ Mon, Feb 7 – Iona men have TV game at 7:30.

◦ Fri, Feb. 11 – Have ESPNU TV doubleheader vs. Marist.

◦ Sun, Feb. 27 – Have doubleheader vs. Manhattan.


48 Hour Review Period48 Hour Review Period Spring 2009, MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration

added a 48 hour review period.

◦ There will be a 48-hour review period from the first distribution of the schedule for institutions to report significant issues (such as building conflicts). The conference office will review any issues and make a determination on any changes. After the 48-hour review, the conference office will notify the membership when the schedule is final. Once that approval takes place, changes cannot be made.

Changes are only permitted where there is an obvious mistake present (i.e. facility conflict). Spacing is not considered an obvious mistake.


48 Hour Review Period48 Hour Review PeriodQuestions to Consider:1) What specifically constitutes an obvious mistake?

Two examples this year: Women’s:

Doubleheaders scheduled when school cannot accommodate it. Men’s:

Question on one arena availability date with Siena.

2) How are issues raised after completion of the 48-hour review period handled?

3) Should we continue to mandate no flexibility once the schedule is completed?


Other IssuesOther IssuesGame times:1) Television game times are set by the network(s)

televising the game.

2) All other game times are set by the host team.

3) Issues:◦ How much consideration should be given to

a road team’s preferred departure time when setting a non-television game time?


maac men’s & women’s basketball scheduling review october 2010

Documents