OLIVER KIMOKEO | sports editor

For the 2008 season, Intramural soccer will be segregated by gender for the first time ever. The once-familiar co-ed soccer format now transformed into men’s soccer and women’s soccer.

The change was sparked by a movement on the APU module of the social networking website Facebook. Over 70 students joined a group titled “APU Intramurals Girls Soccer!” to provide support for a women’s only soccer league in Intramurals.

The most popular reasons the group’s homepage states for their support of women’s soccer are more playing time and an opportunity to have a different type of game which is better suited to the female athlete’s need. Another concern is the physical play in which females are more susceptible to injuries in the co-ed structure.

“It all started back in the beginning of this year when four women approached us about having a separation of men’s and women’s because they felt they weren’t appreciated and they were not getting the proper playing time,” intramurals intern and senior business administration major Travis Harper said. “They couldn’t get along with the guys as much as they wanted to. We felt that if they have got enough support behind it that we would go ahead and do it.”

The initial concern for Intramurals was the adjustments involved in seperating men and women in soccer. Fouls and injuries have not increased this year according to Harper.

“I thought the physical play on the men’s side was going to increase just because it was guy-on-guy but it actually hasn’t. We have not had any problems,” Harper said.

Last season, there were 18 co-ed soccer teams. This year, there are 14 men’s soccer teams and 8 women’s soccer teams. The rise in participation among both genders has created two more games a week that needs referees.

“This year, the soccer team has really stepped up,” Harper said. “We have four guys from the actual soccer team who are refereeing for us. They seem to be doing a great job. We also have four other refs who do not play on the school team. We have not had any issues with availability of referees.”

Both men and women’s soccer games are scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. All soccer matches are held on Adams Field.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Jack 10 (3-0) have established themselves as the team to beat in the women’s basketball league. Not far behind are Ballers 4 Christ (3-1) and The Jazz (2-1). All squads still have an opportunity for playoff seeding but CSA Ya Ya’s (0-3) and Koogz (0-3) may be out of contention early.

On Monday, Feb. 25, the Dawgs (2-2) and The Jazz will face off in a battle for third place. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. in the Cougar Dome.

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Men’s basketball has two leagues established for their sport. 10 teams play on Wednesday night and nine teams play on Thursday night.

Above The Rim (4-0) is the 2007 defending champion and has won 15 consecutive games since February 8, 2007.