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Sat, Mar 22, 2008 - [HAAC] - Viewed 339 times
Over the last couple of years, the NAIA Division II tournament at the College of Ozarks has drawn between 24,000 and 25,000. The Division I tournament drew 38,744 in 2006 and 36,353 last year.  Those numbers could jump with the Heart involved.
 
By DAVID BOYCE
The Kansas City Star

As MidAmerica Nazarene was departing the Showboat Branson Belle on Sunday evening after a banquet for the final four teams remaining in the NAIA Division II tournament, coach Rocky Lamar got a bit nostalgic.

The Pioneers were in their third straight semifinals, experiencing the Branson hospitality to the fullest.Why, Lamar wondered, does the Heart of America Athletic Conference want to leave all that Branson offers in the Division II tournament for the short trip to Kansas City and the NAIA Division I tournament?

“First off,” said Benedictine president Steve Minnis, “it’s the tradition of the NAIA tournament in Kansas City. It makes sense for the schools around Kansas City to try to make it to Kansas City for a national tournament instead of going somewhere else to play in a national tournament.

“This will boost our schools and the tournament. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Because of the decision by the college presidents in the Heart, the NAIA Division I tournament will have two and possibly three teams from a conference headquartered in Kansas City.

Leagues with 10 or more schools get two bids, and there is ongoing discussions that the Heart also will receive a host bid, NAIA president Jim Carr said.

Carr is happy the Heart has decided to move to NAIA Division I, but it wasn’t forced on the schools.

“We’ve been talking to them for a while,” Carr said. “When you have teams located in the Kansas City area, to most people it made a lot of sense for these schools to be in this tournament.”

The benefits for the NAIA are obvious if MidAmerica Nazarene, William Jewell or Avila reached the NAIA Division I tournament.

The Pioneers usually draw between 500 and 600 fans for their run in the Division II tournament near Branson. Heart commissioner Larry Lady speculates that number would easily jump to 1,000 or more.

Over the last couple of years, the NAIA Division II tournament at the College of Ozarks has drawn between 24,000 and 25,000. The Division I tournament drew 38,744 in 2006 and 36,353 last year.

Those numbers could jump with the Heart involved.

“The conference didn’t make the move to appease the NAIA and help attendance,” Lady said. “The presidents thought it was best to play closer to home in a national tournament.”

The Heart presence means much more than numbers, Carr said.

“It’s going to add a lot of excitement to the tournament,” Carr said. “Park (University) was in it last year. It doesn’t necessarily mean a spike in attendance for the tournament. But the two games Park played in, there was so much energy in the building. That’s what I’m excited about.”

Park coach Jason Kline said his team’s run to the second round was great exposure for the school.

“Park hadn’t been in the national tournament since 1998,” Kline said. “The players created some interest for our program from the community and surrounding area.”

Count Benedictine’s Joe Brickner as one coach thrilled by the move to NAIA Division I. He played for St. Benedict’s (now Benedictine) when it won the title in 1967.

“I’ve been for this for 10 years, having experienced this as a player,” Brickner said. “I know what this place is like when a local team is in it. The place goes nuts.”

Brickner knows there are a few coaches in the Heart who are against the move, but he believes the move will ultimately benefit the conference.
 

“Rocky and I argue about this all the time, and that’s OK,” Brickner said. “Rocky has done a great job with his program. And you know what, he’s going to compete for a national tournament here.”

Lamar believes competing in Division II gives the Heart teams the best chance to win a national title. MidAmerica and Evangel have both won Division II titles in the last decade.

MidAmerica, though, has already proven it can compete with some of the best teams in Division I. This season, MidAmerica won 88-82 at Azusa Pacific — the same Azusa Pacific that advanced to the NAIA Division I quarterfinals on Friday. MidAmerica also beat defending NAIA Division I national champion Oklahoma City 88-83 in Oklahoma City this season.

“Those teams (in the Heart) can compete here,” Kline said. “Teams here are bigger and more athletic. That might be a little bit of a difference. But those (Heart) schools already play good schedules. They will be prepared. They will be fine.”

The Heart will increase scholarships from six this season to seven next year and then eight the following year.

“The money we spend on scholarships will be worth it,” Minnis said. “We will have a lot more publicity. I’ll tell you what, if we make it, we will have a big crowd the first game.”
 
 
ARTICLE REPRINTED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE KANSAS CITY STAR

 

To reach David Boyce, sports reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4745 or send e-mail to dboyce@kcstar.com