In response to a small but vocal group of coaches requesting a time trial format to replace all NCAA heats calls for a time trial, and in an attempt to create a more watchable event and attract more sponsors, the NCAA will be running all qualifying and championship races in the bumps-racing style popular in the UK. Famously held as intramural races at Oxford and Cambridge, bumps racing sends boats down the course single-file, and allows crews to physically run into one another to eliminate the boat ahead of them.
"The only people who care about rowing are the athletes and their moms," said one NCAA official. "We heard about bumps, and it was the perfect solution to making the sport interesting."
The racing, set to begin in 2016, will take place over a week, with bumped crews eliminated each day. ESPN, who plans to televise the rowing, is creating "May Madness" brackets in the hopes that they will attract more frat- and office-based viewers. The last two crews at the end of the tournament for each division will compete in a classic 2k race in which the champion will be determined.
Comments | Log in to comment |
04/06/2014 12:43:56 AM
04/02/2014 9:21:23 AM
04/01/2014 7:26:35 PM