(I transferred this message from its original discussion site to this one with a specific heading to see if this would attract more attention.)

For starters, I want to praise the UC Davis Intramural program. When I was there it was directed by a man whose name I can't remember, Gary Colson (?), I think, but I seem to recall that he was honored for administering a really outstanding program that gave every student a chance to extend, develop or even start playing sports that not only provided some physical exercise but allowed for social and organizational development for both men and women. Speaking for myself, I never got a chance to participate in any organized sport in high school, so it was great to be able to play football, basketball, and softball with and against my fellow students.

In the more popular team sports, the tiered system (A,B,C levels) let a lot of student play sports who never would have had any chance at all to be part of a team. I had friends who never dreamt of playing competitive basketball, but got out on the courts and had a whole lot of fun.