When selecting a new team member for an existing position or a candidate for a specific award, it can be difficult to find the right mix of experience and expertise. Selection committees are often comprised of a diverse group of people that may include supervisors, peers, customers or clients. This is to ensure a range of different perspectives are considered in the decision making process and to minimize any personal biases that could impact the outcome.
Selection committees typically have a chair and vice-chair. This provides continuity, information transfer and institutional memory from year to year. It is also helpful to have a person in the role of chair who can serve as a substitute reviewer for nominations which lack a sufficient number of members. Units with this arrangement should develop and follow a process for selecting the chair and vice-chair that best fits their needs.
The members of a selection committee are responsible for disclosing any potential conflicts of interest prior to their review and assessment of nominations. They are also responsible for monitoring, handling and reporting resolution of these conflicts.
While there are many different criteria a Selection Committee uses, one factor that is not listed is the “Eye Test.” The committee watches a lot of games and forms some opinions based on this, but it is impossible to determine whether a team meets the eye test or not.
Each committee member is assigned a conference during the season and is expected to monitor that conference, with primary and secondary monitors. They communicate with the leagues on a regular basis, receiving reports on statistics, injuries, suspensions and other relevant information. They are also expected to watch a significant number of live and televised games.
There is no minimum or maximum number of teams a committee member can nominate for at-large spots, and each committee member is able to choose which schools they believe are most deserving. The committee also votes on which teams they believe should be a part of the Top 25. This is a complex process that involves a great deal of discussion and debate, with revotes possible.
Any selection committee member with a relationship to a school under discussion – whether it’s their alma mater, where they currently work or a team they have coached at – is recused from voting and discussing the school. This helps prevent the appearance of personal bias or favoritism in the rankings.