LINDSEY GRINSTEAD | staff writer

REFEREES PLAY KEY ROLE
Referees and other officiating positions play a key role in the success of the intramural program. Students who want to be a part of the program but not necessarily play on a team have the option to become game regulators. Intramural interns are looking for spring referees for sports like soccer and basketball.

Referees are chosen based upon the applicant’s knowledge of the sport and their availability during game times.

“I love the games. Everyone is so into them,” senior philosophy major Joseph McCormick said. “But the hardest part about my job is if a game is close. There is the inevitable call that one side will disagree with which could decide the game. I don’t like being the one who could be blamed for a loss because everyone plays so hard to win.”

McCormick is an umpire for the co-ed intramural softball league. Officiating the games gives him the opportunity to be a part of this community with an essential role.

“We have been happy with our referees thus far,” senior communication studies major and intramural intern Ryan Gruss said. “They have an extremely difficult job and have been improving as the season has gone on.

TIED UP WITH TIEBREAKERS
Tie breakers. Decisions that designate a winner and a loser need to be clearly defined in order to keep consistency and maintain reliable programs. Intramural officials decide tie-breakers by head-to-head match-ups. For example, if Team A has played Team B and won before but are tied in the standings, Team A will be seeded higher. If Team A and Team B have never competed against each other, tie-breakers are determined by point-differentials. A point-differential is the difference between points scored and points given up in all of their match-ups during the season.

“This season there are top notch teams going into the playoffs,” junior art and Spanish double major and team member B & B Allison Barton. “The competition is really tough but it should make for a couple very close games.”

ONE MORE REGULAR SMASH
Tennis is the only sport to still have regular season action beyond today. The nine-team league will finish their schedule tomorrow at the tennis courts at Citrus Courts.

Only four teams will be able to move on the playoffs held on Dec. 1. McLovin’ (5-1) and Poachers (5-1) have already clinched playoff spots.

Fighting for the remaining two seeds will be Old Timers (4-1), Oger Smash (3-2), Acers (3-2), and Team Emily (3-3). Those four teams will all play each other.

Old Timers will face Oger Smash at 9:00 a.m. while Acers will face Team Emily at 10:30 a.m.