Sure, Michigan can do it. They can play them in the same season, but why should they be forced to.

If Michigan's athletic association deems their current system to be best for them, then they should have the right to do it that way. The "everyone else is doing it" argument is not valid enough to force Michigan to change.

It drove me nuts when Indiana switched to class basketball and people argued, "all the other states do it". Well we had the best high school tourney in the country if not the world, why change it. Now how many people outside of the high schools involved even care about the tourney. I used to go down and watch the games in Inday every other year or so, now, once my school is out of it, I could care less. It is just not the same.

Of course the rest of the country doesn't have an affect. If other states can deal with the gym issues, officiating shortages or just personal convenience issues, Michigan can too. That is all I am saying.

Peace

"Of course the rest of the country doesn't have an affect. If other states can deal with the gym issues, officiating shortages or just personal convenience issues, Michigan can too. That is all I am saying."

I’m not sure that is all you are saying. You seem to imply that you agree that the switch should be implemented but I may be reading too much into your statements “so can Michigan” and “Michigan can too” as if we SHOULD do what everyone else is doing. Perhaps I’m mistaken.

The majority of spectators, players and coaches (in Michigan) prefer the way things are scheduled now and would rather not deal with the switch. That’s not a legal reason to deny this switch but it certainly says a lot about the current state of affairs. Just because other states can deal with the logistical hassle doesn’t mean WE should invite the chaos as well if the association that administers sports (made up of a broad spectrum of interested parties) would rather not. And for what? The personal advancement of a few volleyball players? We know there are already Michigan volleyball players receiving scholarships so can anyone really say how many MORE would be awarded to Michigan women if this change were implemented. Would it outweigh the inconvenience and possible opportunities for officials (yes, they matter in all this because they are a part of it), players and coaches?

These are the pertinent questions, not “What does the rest of the country do?”.

And, this is not a gender issue at all. There are still a finite number of scholarships for women in basketball and volleyball no matter what the ruling is. There are no increased opportunities for women as a whole. A scholarship awarded to a Michigan girl is one less for someone else or vice versa.

I do not presume to speak for Rut. But it sounds to me like he is simply saying that "It would be a hardship" is not good enough grounds for keeping the seasons separate. Obviously, it's not too much of a hardship for other states.

Can't really argue with him on that point.

I have no dog in this race. It does not matter to me at all if the season stays the same or changes. I just do not see the big deal and I feel that people that constantly come here and complain this might change. I just think there needs to be some perspective. If other states can have their girl's play in the winter like the boy's, so can Michigan. It is just an opinion. It is just one opinion.

What the majority thinks is really not at issue to the courts. The courts will decide what based on what is best for the people involved, not what the majority thinks. The courts are there to protect the minority opinion or people against the tyranny of the majority.

I have never said this was a gender issue. I think it is more of an opportunity concern that a state does things differently than the NCAA does and that could affect the players from opportunities. I do not have personal knowledge either way. I do not officiate volleyball so I have no idea how a winter season helps or hurts those players. I just know that the concerns about gym space, attendance, official shortage and scheduling are all the very same issues that other states have to deal with. I do not understand why having volleyball and basketball (which are both gym sports) have any more of a problem than if Girl's changed to the winter. It is not a big deal to me, but I think it could be done if things changed. Understand we are hearing mostly from mostly the official’s side of the story. We are not hearing from the players, coaches or fans on this site.

Peace