GLIAC announces basketball schedule changes

BAY CITY, Mich. — Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Commissioner Dell Robinson announced a scheduling change for 2010-11 basketball season, as men’s games will lead all Conference doubleheaders with women’s games to follow.  Traditionally, the order has been reversed.

During the 2011-12 season, women’s basketball teams will return to playing first; the order of play will alternate by year. The Conference is hopeful that the change will increase attendance for both sports.

The GLIAC’s women’s basketball teams will return to playing first in the 2011-12 season, with the order of play changing in alternating years going forward. By alternating the start times the Conference is hopeful that the attendance for both sports will increase in the years to come.

“We are making this change to make sure that we are being sensitive to Title IX issues in regards to our men’s and women’s basketball schedules,” stated Robinson. “The GLIAC was presented with an opportunity to look closely at this issue and to make a decision that is in the best interest of all of our student-athletes. We are pleased with the cooperation that we have received from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights and from the administrators and coaches of our member institutions.”

During the 2009-10 season, the GLIAC ranked seventh among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II conferences in women’s basketball home attendance.  The GLIAC totaled 97,384 in women’s basketball attendance last season, an average of 563 fans per contest.  Michigan Technological University led the GLIAC and ranked ninth among D-II institutions with a total of 29,230 fans for its 19 women’s basketball home games, an average of 1,538 fans per game.

The GLIAC, which has sponsored men’s basketball since the 1972-73 season and women’s basketball since the 1974-75 season, totaled 122,384 in men’s basketball home attendance last season, an average of 744 fans per contest.  Michigan Tech also led GLIAC men’s basketball teams with a total of 14,801 fans for its 11 home games, an average of 1,346 fans per game.

Founded in 1972, the GLIAC has been a leader in the advancement and promotion of intercollegiate athletics for men and women for 39 years. The league, which conducts championships in 20 sports, 10 for men and 10 for women, boasts 14 full members, nine of which are located in Michigan, and five in Ohio.