As a freshman at the University of Tennessee, I am learning about all the school has to offer. Including, the intramural sports program. As of right now, I am playing on three different sports teams within the program: all girls sand volleyball, coed kickball, and coed softball.

Because of my involvement in these sports, I have learned about certain rules and procedures in the program that a lot of people do not agree with. For instance, I have learned that within the coed soccer league, when a female player scores she receives an additional point. Or for example, in coed flag football, when a girl scores a touchdown it is 9 points and when a guy does, it is 6.

There are also many other rules that seem quite sexist in place within the program.

Instead of just reacting to all the things I had been told, I decided to take action and get answers. This was a problem I believe would only grow and is one that doesn't represent UT very well.

So, I emailed the head of intramural sports who then directed me to the person in charge of updating the rules every year, Mario Riles. YES, I repeat every year. I then emailed him and was able to get a meeting set up. The meeting went much different then I expected.

Mr. Riles explained to me the progress they are making with changing these rules since he is very aware how sexist they come off as. He was also able to explain to me their reasons behind such rules. It was not to be sexist or say that being a male gives you an advantage in sports, but rather he said the purpose was to make sure males were not only getting girls on the team but also including them during games.

There are rules in place regarding how many girls and guys must be on a coed team, which makes sense considering it is a coed league. However, Mr. Riles explains that the point differentiation is in place so that, for instance, in soccer guys would pass more to female players and include them in order to get an additional point.

While the lesson of including girls in coed sports and treating them as equals is one that is necessary to teach, it could be done many other ways that are more effective and do not reward males for being decent human beings.

Mr. Riles explained that starting in the fall, the flag football point difference will be taken away but they will be keeping it's rule about having a girl involved in every other play. That way, the rules are based more on including all players in the game. A small step, but one that should be noticed. They will be taking such rule changing sport by sport, meaning the change will be put in place slowly. But, as Mr. Riles very nicely explained, it is a priority of theirs.

For the time being, I highly encourage you to get involved in intramural sports at whatever school you are in, especially if you are a girl! Empowered women empower women. It is a fun experience that is very underrated. Also, never stay silent about the things that matter, you never know what change you might put into place and the good it will do.