Money talks: Why Cougars forced to travel for super regional

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On the field, the University of Houston had the credentials to make a legitimate argument to host this weekend's super regional in the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Off the field, the University of Texas had something the NCAA covets even more: A bigger checkbook.

Texas offered $90,000 more in guaranteed revenue than Houston for a two-game NCAA super regional and $50,000 more if the series went to a third game, official bids that were obtained from both schools Tuesday showed.

Earlier in the day, the NCAA awarded the Longhorns the host site for the best-of-three super regional, which will begin Friday in Austin. The winner advances to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

"I think both of the institutions, the (on-field) resumes are pretty similar," said J.D. Hamilton, the NCAA media coordinator for the Division I baseball championship. "You just have to find some place where there is a difference between the two institutions."

Hamilton explained that the committee did not see the specifics of the bid but was informed there was a financial "difference in the bids."

3/25/14: Houston Cougar pitcher David Longville (38) pitches to the Rice Owls in the first inning at Cougar Field in Houston, Texas. 3/25/14: Houston Cougar pitcher David Longville (38) pitches to the Rice Owls in the first inning at Cougar Field in Houston, Texas. Photo: Thomas B. Shea Photo: Thomas B. Shea Image 1 of / 192 Caption Close Money talks: Why Cougars forced to travel for super regional 1 / 192 Back to Gallery

"One of our criteria is revenue potential, and the revenue potential is better at Texas and they proved that with the bid they gave over what Houston had," Hamilton said.

The Longhorns offered two enticements to the NCAA that UH could not match - more than double the seating capacity and more guaranteed money, according to the bids obtained by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News through open records requests.

UT, the wealthiest athletic program in the nation, guaranteed gross receipts of $253,250, including a cut of $135,787.50 to the NCAA for a three-game regional. UH offered a guarantee of $161,700 with a cut of $77,298.75 to the NCAA.

All schools were required to submit separate bids for the regional and super regional by May 16.

"I understand it, but that's a really hard conversation to have with your student-athletes when they've had the season that they've had to date," Mack Rhoades, UH's vice president for intercollegiate athletics, said when asked about his feelings about revenue being the deciding factor.

"(UH) has the No. 2 RPI in the country and won its conference tournament."

The Cougars are enjoying one of the best seasons in program history with a record-tying 48 wins and the American Athletic Conference tournament championship. At the Baton Rouge (La.) Regional, UH had to stave off elimination, winning three games in two days - twice against host and No. 8 national seed LSU - to advance to its first super regional since 2003.

Back in the NCAA Tournament following a two-year absence, UT is 41-19 this season, which includes a 3-2 win over the Cougars on March 1 at the Houston College Classic, with a No. 6 RPI. Texas' regional victory came over former rival Texas A&M, which was one of the final teams to secure a spot in the tournament.

After the win over Texas A&M, Texas coach Augie Garrido was asked about the potential of hosting this weekend's super regional.

"If it's about money, we'll be at home," he said.

Several factors determine who will host a super regional, among them seeding, facilities and guaranteed money, according to NCAA's bylaws. UH and UT were both No. 2 regional seeds, leaving revenue as the determining factor in the selection process. The Austin Super Regional was the only of the eight super regionals determined by that criteria.

UT was able to guarantee more money based on the size of UFCU Disch-Falk Field, which has a seating capacity of 7,273. UH's Cougar Field can accommodate 3,500, which includes about 1,000 standing room-only tickets, according to updated figures provided by the school.

Nick Voinis, UT's senior athletic director, said the school sold 2,000 tickets before it was even awarded the super regional and were at 3,600 tickets sold at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Voinis said UT is expecting a sellout and plans to work with the fire marshal to get approval to sell additional tickets.

UH will receive an allotment of 600 tickets, Voinis said.

"I guess coach Garrido was right," Rhoades said. "In the future if we want to guarantee to host a regional we're going to have to add more seats to our stadium."

joseph.duarte@chron.com

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Express-News staff writer Mike Finger contributed to this report