| |
 |
| March 4th, 2009 |
|
Media Contact(s): Mark Eddington, 202-224-5251
Heather Barney, (801) 524-4380 |
|
Printable Version |
|
|
HATCH STATEMENT ON MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE PROPOSAL TO CHANGE BCS
|
| |
WASHINGTON – Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) commented on the alternative approach to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) system that Mountain West Conference Commissioner Craig Thompson unveiled today.
If adopted, the Mountain West proposal would alter the way in which conferences and teams are selected for both automatic and at-large bids for lucrative BCS bowl games. It would also use the much of the current BCS system as an outline for a playoff system to choose a national champion. The proposal was submitted today to the Football Bowl Subdivision conferences and the University of Notre Dame.
Hatch commended Commissioner Thompson’s efforts:
“I’m glad to see that some proposed solutions to the BCS mess are being brought to the table,” Hatch said. “I think that, over the past few years, the BCS system has proven itself to be inadequate, not only for those of us who are fans of college football, but for anyone who believes that competition and fair-play should have a role in collegiate sports.
“The problems with the BCS go beyond last year’s debacle, which left University of Utah, the only team to finish the season undefeated, out of the national championship picture,” Hatch added. “Put simply, the BCS is a system that ensures that particular conferences and teams maintain competitive and financial advantages over the rest of the schools in the country. It has been my hope that the schools, conferences, and television networks involved in this system will voluntarily adopt reforms without the involvement of Congress, the Justice Department, or the courts. In sum, I am still studying Commissioner Thompson’s proposal. However, I am appreciative that he has begun an effective dialogue on these issues.”
|
| |
| ### |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
Radio Clip | 
Television Clip
