Managing IM sports, an uphill battle
In intramural sports, lack of communication between directors and participants cause frustration
Mark Hensch
Issue date: 3/12/09 Section: Sports
Senior Aubrey Calligan and senior Kurt Weil work tough jobs. As the student director of women's and men's intramural sports, respectively, both ensure the various IM sports run smoothly.
With this year's edition of IM basketball, however, it has at times been a trying task.
"It is frustrating when people do not show up for their scheduled games as it makes the season longer," Calligan said. "Beyond that, we have to fit every team in before the end of the season when the tournament is due to start, and that can be difficult."
The problem, Calligan said, stems from a lack of communication between the IM officials and the league's various teams. Given that this year's group features 15 men's teams and six women's teams, scheduling conflicts have often occurred.
"When we give a set schedule and people agree with it, it becomes a problem when people want to reschedule their games later," she said.
Such last-minute changes create headaches for not only the IM officials but the players in the league as well. Katy Ranville, a junior on the Chi Omega sorority team, said every IM season has its share of unfortunate mix-ups. Having played since her freshman year, Ranville said she loves participating each season, but this year has been more chaotic than normal.
"I love IM basketball as it is fun, competitive and a great way to stay in shape," Ranville said. "However, even if a lot of students want to play IM sports, if it is disorganized, no one will."
Jeff Forino, the faculty director of IM sports, said he faces similar concerns every year alongside his various student directors. He said he admires the hard work his directors have done in putting together the season they have, despite setbacks.
"Teams not sticking with the schedule are definitely our biggest problem," Forino said. "It is hard running IM as it is students providing for other students."
For her part, Ranville said that this year's Chi-O team has often dealt with contradictory schedules and badly communicated cancellations. Ranville's Chi-O squad has had two games cancelled five to ten minutes before scheduled tip-offs. She said she acknowledges the hard work that the IM office performs but feels that at the end of the day they bear some responsibility for this season's flubs.
With this year's edition of IM basketball, however, it has at times been a trying task.
"It is frustrating when people do not show up for their scheduled games as it makes the season longer," Calligan said. "Beyond that, we have to fit every team in before the end of the season when the tournament is due to start, and that can be difficult."
The problem, Calligan said, stems from a lack of communication between the IM officials and the league's various teams. Given that this year's group features 15 men's teams and six women's teams, scheduling conflicts have often occurred.
"When we give a set schedule and people agree with it, it becomes a problem when people want to reschedule their games later," she said.
Such last-minute changes create headaches for not only the IM officials but the players in the league as well. Katy Ranville, a junior on the Chi Omega sorority team, said every IM season has its share of unfortunate mix-ups. Having played since her freshman year, Ranville said she loves participating each season, but this year has been more chaotic than normal.
"I love IM basketball as it is fun, competitive and a great way to stay in shape," Ranville said. "However, even if a lot of students want to play IM sports, if it is disorganized, no one will."
Jeff Forino, the faculty director of IM sports, said he faces similar concerns every year alongside his various student directors. He said he admires the hard work his directors have done in putting together the season they have, despite setbacks.
"Teams not sticking with the schedule are definitely our biggest problem," Forino said. "It is hard running IM as it is students providing for other students."
For her part, Ranville said that this year's Chi-O team has often dealt with contradictory schedules and badly communicated cancellations. Ranville's Chi-O squad has had two games cancelled five to ten minutes before scheduled tip-offs. She said she acknowledges the hard work that the IM office performs but feels that at the end of the day they bear some responsibility for this season's flubs.
Be the first to comment on this story