Spring Break
The Daily OrangeUnpopular tourney consolation games long gone
By Ethan Ramsey
Posted: 3/22/05, 12:34 AM EST Section: Sports
"We had an obligation to fans that came down to watch the teams play," Duke said. "You didn't want to take a trip and spend all that money for just one game."
Another major factor was the fear of ticket scalping, which safe to say hasn't exactly been eliminated today. But nonetheless, Duke said he despised thousands of unused tickets floating around. There was also simply the notion that perhaps third place meant something.
"The idea of placing third in the country was more important than it is now," Duke said. "But that mindset gradually eroded."
In addition, the tournament became so large that the NCAA no longer had to worry about empty seats staining television sets.
Duke said the NCAA toyed with the idea of eliminating the games for years, but no action was taken until Duke himself was tournament chairman from 1975 to 1981. In 1975, the regional consolation finals were played for the final time. The last national third place game was played in 1981.
Ultimately, pressure from the National Association of Basketball Coaches forced the change.
"Basketball coaches are a great barometer for actions of the tournament committee," Duke said. "They felt it wasn't that important to them or the kids after having been beaten. They didn't want to stick around a few more days."
Bridgeman said the decision was one of the best ever made by the NCAA and allowed the Tournament to develop into the spectacle it is today. He particularly noted the prolonged agony fans felt when their team stayed to play the extra game.
"When you look back, no one remembers even who finished second, so definitely not third or fourth," Bridgeman said.
The Official NCAA Tournament Record Book offers an intriguing note. Prior to 1981, third and fourth place finishers are listed. But since 1981, the two schools that lost in the Final Four are listed as having tied for third place. However, Duke said he knows of no trophy or plaque commemorating that specific achievement.
Another major factor was the fear of ticket scalping, which safe to say hasn't exactly been eliminated today. But nonetheless, Duke said he despised thousands of unused tickets floating around. There was also simply the notion that perhaps third place meant something.
"The idea of placing third in the country was more important than it is now," Duke said. "But that mindset gradually eroded."
In addition, the tournament became so large that the NCAA no longer had to worry about empty seats staining television sets.
Duke said the NCAA toyed with the idea of eliminating the games for years, but no action was taken until Duke himself was tournament chairman from 1975 to 1981. In 1975, the regional consolation finals were played for the final time. The last national third place game was played in 1981.
Ultimately, pressure from the National Association of Basketball Coaches forced the change.
"Basketball coaches are a great barometer for actions of the tournament committee," Duke said. "They felt it wasn't that important to them or the kids after having been beaten. They didn't want to stick around a few more days."
Bridgeman said the decision was one of the best ever made by the NCAA and allowed the Tournament to develop into the spectacle it is today. He particularly noted the prolonged agony fans felt when their team stayed to play the extra game.
"When you look back, no one remembers even who finished second, so definitely not third or fourth," Bridgeman said.
The Official NCAA Tournament Record Book offers an intriguing note. Prior to 1981, third and fourth place finishers are listed. But since 1981, the two schools that lost in the Final Four are listed as having tied for third place. However, Duke said he knows of no trophy or plaque commemorating that specific achievement.
