GENERAL NEWS: Grand Rapids Press Article Discusses Change In Schedule For Basketball Games

Here is an interesting article out of the Grand Rapids Press discussing the change in start times that has girls basketball games being played after the boys contests.

What is interesting is that it reflects the changes that have taken place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference as women's games this season are being played after the men's games.

The change in start times has been highly controversial at both the prep level and at the college level. In many cases, following the early men's contest, fans are flowing out of the game. By halftime of the women's game, the crowd is a fraction of what it was during the peak time of the men's contest.

In the Grand Rapids Press article, writer Steve Vedder talks to several prep coaches, athletics directors and even fans to get their perspectives on the changes and what many people see as the negative impact of the changes in start times.

Becca Quinn knew her priority should be focusing on her basketball game with a cross-district rival. But it was impossible to ignore the hundreds of fans streaming past her toward the exits.

In fact, her Forest Hills Northern team’s game against Forest Hills Central was delayed to allow for the sweeping exodus right after the 6 p.m. boys game.

“Instead of focusing on the game, we were looking at our fans. We’re thinking, ‘Oh, my gosh, they’re all leaving,’” said Quinn, a senior and team captain.

The crowd of more than 1,600 would eventually dwindle to about 300 for the nightcap.

Then, there was this quote from a local prep girls basketball coach, and a highly-successful one, down in the Grand Rapids area:

“Bottom line, this isn’t working,” said coach Colleen Lamoreaux-Tate, whose Catholic Central girls are the defending Class B champions. “What we’re finding is that this just doesn’t make sense.”

For the full article, one that is highly recommended, visit here.