Twersky's Take

As Olympic legend Carl Lewis once said, "Life is about timing." His wisdom proves true, but in this particular instance the students who participate in basketball intramurals are dealing with mistiming.

Eight days after the intramural draft, one week after the first game, and twelve hours before the second week of competition was set to begin, the one-hundred-twelve member intramural basketball program was informed that, starting immediately, referees would no longer be provided for intramurals.

Those of us who partake in intramural basketball know that this luxury-and that is what these games are-will be sorely missed. The games will not be the same as they were under the watchful eye of zebras. The game action won't be on the same plane; the level of professionalism exhibited on the court will suffer; and most importantly, the feeling that these games matter-that for one hour they are athletes and not students-will disappear. And while all of this is regrettable, it is understandable; the budget is being decreased and fat needs to be trimmed. If that means cutting some luxuries we take for granted, so be it. However, it is the timing of the notification that is so cruel and not as understandable.

The new rule being instituted states that all captains will become de facto referees and will have to arrive early and stay late to referee intramural games. This is a major time commitment, one that not all of the sixteen captains want to or can spare the time and effort to perform. Had they been aware of the burden that comes with being a captain, many would not have agreed to lead a team this season. As for the players on the varying teams, they are suffering from a letdown. What had been in the past few years a competitive and official league will once again be relegated to what could be called organized pickup.

The whole situation has participants crying out to different student leaders and administrators in rage and agony.

Is anyone listening?