University-wide events and a lack of facilities have bumped the Ohio volleyball team from The Convo floor to the Ping Center this week, just months after Student Senate decided athletic teams should not be allowed to practice in the recreation center.

Although Student Senate and Ping Center representatives opposed in June the use of the Ping Center by sports teams, they agree that this "short-term" exception is the best option to benefit all students.

Ohio Athletics Director Tom Boeh approached Student Senate in June to gauge student opinion about allowing sports teams to practice in the center. Teams needed pratice space while The Convo was prepared for spring commencement and because Grover Center is serving as a temporary auditorium while Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium is being renovated.

The senate unanimously passed a resolution in June against allowing athletic teams to practice the Ping Center. The resolution stated: "it is clear that the facility is not capable of supporting many of the intended uses that the Athletic Department has in mind ... "

Student Senate President Chad Tanner, who co-sponsored the resolution, said the Ping Center cannot handle the sports teams for a long period of time, but it can accommodate them during the short-term.

The volleyball team has practiced Tuesday through today during low-traffic morning hours in the Ping Center and has a game there Friday against Miami and Saturday against Bowling Green. The team has occupied two courts. All of area D, which is the courts to the right of the climbing wall, will be closed this weekend for the two game days.

The team was moved because the Honors Convocation is being held in The Convo Saturday morning and George Carlin will perform there that evening. Such events usually are held in Mem Aud.

Ping Center Director Tamara Jarret, who joined the senate in June in opposing the athletics department's use of the facility, said not allowing the teams to practice in the Ping Center this week would be detrimental to all students.

"There would be more negatives for the students if we don't help than if we do," she said. "If we don't help out, the students won't get to see George Carlin or Rusted Root."

The facility is a student center, she said, and the Ping Center staff will do what is best for students - and this week, sacrificing the recreation center space was the best option for students.

Jarret, who said in June that allowing sports teams to partice in the center would set a bad precendent, said Tuesday she still does not want sports teams to be allowed to practice there in the future.

"I hope it's not perceived that we changed our minds," she said. "I have not changed my mind about the situation."

When Rusted Root performs at The Convo on Wednesday, Oct. 29, the volleyball, women's basketball and men's basketball teams will be moved again to the Ping Center. The teams will occupy at least one court for most of the day.

"The university wouldn't allow any of these events to be cancelled," Boeh said. "There is just a lack of facilities right now, and everyone is making the best of a bad situation."