Combined with the 2000 NCAA installation of the automatic qualification playoff system, the possible 2001 playoff brackett expansion to 16 teams could be the breakthrough steps for the game of lacrosse. This year's playoffs, and maybe even next years, could experience a few growing pains with some controversial playoff invitations to less traditional programs over the so-called powerhouses. If a rough transition into the new playoff system can be followed by a smooth and steady growth in lacrosse induced by tournament expansion, then it just may be worth the risk.

According to the NCAA News report on, "Bracket expansions, squad-size increases top cabinet priorities - Group seeks growth in five Division I sports," both NCAA Men's and Women's Lacrosse have been chosen as one of the top five sports to receive funding for potential tournament growth in the 2000-2001 seasons. During the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet meetings in Indianapolis between Febuary 1-3, the cabinet took in over 2 million dollars worth of funding requests from various mens and womens NCAA sports. The requests upon the cabinet specifically involved the, "bracket expansion, increase in squad sizes in women's sports, higher officiating fees, and transportation or per-diem allowances," but all of these requests far outweighed the 1 million dollar budget set for "new championships expansion" by the NCAA Executive Committee. Due to this large demand for championship expansion funding the cabinet was forced to limit themselves to only fulfilling a certain number of sports requests. The requests were considered and prioritized by the cabinet with the top of the list being composed of bracket and field-size expansion in NCAA: woman's golf, men's soccer, men's ice hockey, and both women's and men's lacrosse. The total cost of just these sports' expansions would be over $600,000. Both the Men's and Women's Lacrosse Championships expansions would increase their D-I tournament fields from 12 teams to 16 total playoff teams. The NCAA's Women Lacrosse Championship expansion was sixth on the cabinet's 2000-2001 priority list and would cost an estimated $69,000. The expansion of the Men's Lacrosse Championship was listed as eight on the cabinet's list costing approxiamately $104,000, with the Division I Men's Lacrosse Committee believing that the expansion would lead to additional revenues of an estimated $85,000.

What the expanded playoff system would basically do is limit the possibility of deserving, highly-competitive teams not receiving bids to the post season. By adding extra playoff spots to the tournament the automatic qualification system would flourish, being able to take the risk and invite non-traditional programs through conference championships along with having enough at-large bids for the historical powerhouse programs in lacrosse. The level of play would not be jeapordized with enough bids for the deserving teams, along with the added thrill of sleepers and first-time playoff programs. More regular season competition for conference championships plus more playoff teams in May equals more growth for the game of lacrosse...