Article in The Houston Chronicle gives an explanation:
Nov. 16, 2004, 12:01AM
RICE NOTEBOOK
La. Tech game moved back two days
Concern for field at Reliant Stadium prompts move; NCAA rules figure in the mix, too
By MOISEKAPENDA BOWER
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle
We know that jaded little voice in your head went off like an alarm when Rice moved its final home football game of the season against Louisiana Tech to Reliant Stadium.
In an announcement made by Rice athletic director Bobby May on Nov. 5, the originally scheduled 2 p.m. kickoff at Rice Stadium for Nov. 27 was shifted to Reliant Stadium two hours earlier that afternoon.
The game has been since rescheduled — it's still at Reliant Stadium but at 7 p.m. on Nov. 29.
Texans officials had concerns about field conditions for their game against the Titans on Nov. 28. Rice officials welcomed not having to play a game while the student body is on Thanksgiving break.
We know what you are thinking.
Rice, which is on a five-game losing skid, and La Tech, struggling to stay at .500, wouldn't draw flies at Rice Stadium two days after Thanksgiving. And a quick perusal of 2004 home attendance reveals Rice is perilously close to falling below the NCAA-mandated 15,000 figure needed to maintain Division I-A status. After being embroiled in a very public debate last spring concerning the financial feasibility of remaining in Division I, moving a game to Reliant smells of Rice taking advantage of its relationship with those at SMG.
And your point is? At last check, benefiting from a business relationship is a sign of business acumen. If there were a loophole in the NCAA rulebook, it would behoove Rice to do everything necessary to take advantage of it.
After averaging 15,461 fans for five games at Rice Stadium in 2003, the Owls' listed attendance this season is 70,609 — an average of 17,652. That figure includes the 28,726 Rice lists as the attendance for its designated "home" game against Houston on Sept. 5 at Reliant. Subtract that figure, and the Owls are averaging just 13,961 at Rice Stadium.
Worse yet, the NCAA uses turnstile counts for its figures, and sources put Rice's count closer to 61,000 fans — including the UH game. At an average of roughly 15,300, Rice could ill-afford to host a low-interest game at Rice Stadium.
By moving the finale to Reliant, Rice can include just one of its neutral-site "home" games with its attendance. Should fewer fans show up for the Louisiana Tech game than did the UH contest, Rice remains free of punishment.
Rice doesn't want to violate a bylaw regarding football attendance requirements. If an institution fails to satisfy said requirements, it is issued a one-year notice without penalty. With that notice comes a 10-year window in which the NCAA keeps a close eye on home attendance. Should that institution fail to meet the minimum attendance during that period, it is put on restriction — meaning the program is ineligible for bowls. And if an institution fails to meet the attendance requirement during a restriction year, it is subject for dismissal from Division I-A.
Rice would prefer to retain its membership, so it was forced to do whatever was necessary to remain in the club. Exercising an option that proved beneficial to Rice is simply wily and intelligent.
"It's great to have the opportunity to take advantage of a great facility," May said.
Indeed. But Rice officials acknowledge that increasing home attendance remains a priority.
Know your history
Using 21st century history as a guide, Rice couldn't have been surprised when it lost at Texas-El Paso 35-28 on a dispu-
ted call in double overtime:
• Nov. 11, 2000: A Sun Bowl-record crowd of 53,304 is on hand to watch the Miners claim a share of their first WAC crown and their first conference title since 1956. Before UTEP can complete its 38-21 win over the Owls, fans storm the field and tear down both goal posts. Officials call the game with less than a minute left.
• Oct. 19, 2002: Behind reserve quarterback Omar Duarte, UTEP rallies from a 21-7 deficit to earn its lone win of the season against a Division I opponent. Keith Robinson caps the comeback by nailing a school-record, 59-yard field goal in a 38-35 victory.
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