Division I-AA football is making big strides

The playoffs are getting more funding support from the NCAA.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Gateway Football Conference commissioner Patty Viverito is starting her 22nd season directing the conference and she's never been more excited about I-AA football.
"The state of I-AA football has never looked better," Viverito told the gathering Tuesday at the Gateway Conference media day at the Renaissance St. Louis Hotel.
"Everybody has been working so hard this past year to improve the division and make it stronger," she added.
"The playoffs are getting so much more support, especially financial support from the NCAA, to the fact that we'll probably increase our travel parties to the playoffs," she continued.
Viverito, who was in Chattanooga, Tenn., last December for the I-AA championships to watch Gateway Conference member Northern Iowa, was amazed at the setting.
"It was truly a bowl-like atmosphere in Chattanooga, a sellout crowd and everything," she said.
Still four teams for playoffs
Viverito said the I-AA playoff committee wanted to increase the number of seeded teams in the playoffs from four to eight, but the NCAA board did not pass that at its recent meeting, and the playoffs will go with four seeded teams for at least the next two seasons.
She also indicated that the NCAA committees are in the process of trying to change the labels for the divisions.
"It's always been I-A and I-AA, but there has been a motion to get that changed," she said. "We're hoping that in the near future it will become the NCAA Bowl Division and the NCAA Playoff Divisions. That will be voted on this fall and hopefully it will become a reality."
Praises BCS for funding
Viverito praised the BCS for its efforts in helping fund the I-AA playoffs. "They've done a tremendous job for us in recent years," she said.
She also is very pleased about the current state of the Gateway Conference.
"The Gateway outlook has never been brighter," she said. "In the last four years we've had 10 teams in the playoffs and several preseason polls have indicated that the Gateway will be the toughest conference in I-AA football this season.
Viverito is assisted by Associate Commissioner Mike Kern, who handles the daily operation of the conference.
Kern, who is beginning his 15th season with the conference, served as toastmaster for the media day activities.
mollica@vindy.com