The Mid-American Conference released the following statement tonight from Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher tonight concerning the NCAA's decision to grant Georgia Tech a bowl spot despite the possibility of a 6-7 record:

“I am disappointed in the NCAA’s decision to issue a waiver.   I could not disagree more with the rationale provided.  One of the reasons for the development of the policy covering this matter was to clearly create a selection order to manage just this situation.

“These selection orders were developed with NCAA staff input and approved unanimously by the NCAA Board of Directors last July.  To suggest that that the NCAA staff or task force working on bowl policy did not contemplate such a circumstance, when this same situation occurred last year, is incorrect.   The policy is clear and understandable. 

“What is lacking is the willingness to enforce NCAA policy and that is regrettable. All the Mid-American Conference asks is that the rules that have been approved by the member institutions of the NCAA be enforced.   That did not occur in this instance."