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The girls
volleyball season will now be in the fall. The season will
be 5 weeks shorter. Photo: Molly Zanley |
Changing of seasons upsets many
BY MARCIA LEVIGNE
After nine years, the Michigan
High School Athletic Association lost in the fight against a lawsuit
based on gender-equality. Starting with the 2007-2008 school year
six sports seasons will change, including girl’s basketball,
volleyball, golf, tennis, and boy’s golf and tennis.
This decision was met with
vast disapproval as athletes, coaches, and parents alike had their
carefully planned schedules thrown into disarray.
Athletic Director Tom DeSana
will have to make decisions on when and where the basketball teams
will practice and play now that both the girl’s and boy’s seasons
are in the winter. Also, all six of the middle school basketball
teams will be playing in the winter leaving 12 teams to practice in
four gyms, including the Lincoln Center.
The assignment of coaches will
also be difficult as some coaches in Wyandotte are in charge of a
middle school team as well as a high school team. Girl’s basketball
coach Rob Sauter has already resigned due to his conflicting
schedule as assistant basketball coach for Henry Ford Community
College.
Many athletes will also have
to make some tough decisions. Players like Freshman Katelyn Lubaway
and sophomore Erik Taurence have planned
out their athletic careers carefully—only to have the seasons
change.
Lubaway,
a volleyball player
and varsity swimmer says that she is still undecided and frustrated
with the situation.
"I’ve been used to the same
[schedule]…all my school years and now it changes and I have to pick
my sport," said Lubaway.
However Taurence is set on
which one he will pick and is not too worried about the change.
"I don’t really mind, I mean,
I like it a lot (playing baseball), but I’m a lot better golfer than
I am at baseball," said Taurence. "It’s going to be weird not
playing any sports in the fall."
Another complaint is that some
sports will have almost a year and a half between their 2006-2007
and 2007-2008 seasons. Boy’s golf and girl’s tennis are moving from
the fall to the spring, leaving their players with a large time
period before they play again. However, boy’s tennis, which is
currently in season, will be playing again in the spring. Tennis
coach Patrick
Haley was not happy
about the change at all—especially for his girl’s team.
"I really think it’s going to
hurt both boys and girls, but definitely girl’s tennis," said Haley.
"The weather is nicer in the fall, plus it’s been nice having the
summer to teach girls how to play…typically I have more beginners
who are girls than who are guys."
A small group, which
represents the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association, has
already filed a brief in the U.S District Court, which is requesting
that girls tennis remain the same.
However, it is unknown as to how long it will
take to resolve this issue.
While most seem to be pretty
upset with the change, volleyball coach Colleen Minor
is trying to stay positive.
"The change was inevitable, I
knew it was coming…we have to do what the state has mandated and
we’re going to make the best of the situation," said Minor.
The change, which was
origionally proposed by frustrated Michigan volleyball players and
parents, will cut the volleyball season by at least five weeks.
"It’s just going to be
change…you got to be open minded enough to give it a shot and that’s
exactly what I’m a going to do," said Minor
The official decision was made
after the United States Supreme Court determined they would not hear
an appeal from the MHSAA.
The original lawsuit filed in
1998 was pushed forward by Communities for Equity, a group out of
Grand Rapids claim that prior to the change females were at a
disadvantage for collegiate and other opportunities. According to
DeSana the deadline for colleges to sign their players is in
February—halfway through the volleyball season. Some think this puts
women at a major disadvantage, while others argue that if you’re a
great athlete this won’t be an issue.
"I think if you’re good,
they’ll find you," said DeSana.
But, through all the
complaining and frustration most agree that it will only take time
to adjust.
"It’s going to take a few
years to get participation back up," said DeSana. "We have to make
the best of the situation."
Minor is just relieved that
the wait is over.
"I’m glad that there is
finally closure to this whole issue, nine years is a long time to
wait." Said Minor. "Lets deal with it and move on."
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