Photos by Tyler Sym
Dust off your Jordans and get your squad together: last year’s bragging rights are over, and championship T-shirts are back up for grabs. Intramural basketball began its 2016 season this week. Teams with names like The Magic Johnsons and Taylor Swish will take the court and battle for the honor to be crowned intramural champions.
Intramural basketball has two separate leagues, open and co-ed. The open league is known for its high level of competition and dedicated teams. Co-ed league ball can be just as fierce, but is more accepting of beginner players.
Open league team, Shaqtin’ A Fool, has their sights set on the 2016 championship. Guided by head coach Charlie Simon, Shaqtin’ A Fool plans to implement a triangle offense this season, the same offense used by Michael Jordan’s championship Chicago Bulls. Star players like Jed “Buckets” Ball and Isaac “Second String” Salay are prepared to lead a veteran lineup in doing whatever it takes to win.
Salay, who is known to be a monster on the boards, starts his game days off with a breakfast of two No. 1 chicken biscuit sandwiches from Chick-Fil-A. For inspiration on the court he looks up to his role models: “Brian Scalabrine, Javale McGee, for his on-court intelligence and Tyrone Lue for overcoming the biggest embarrassment in basketball history to coach the Cavs,” he said.
Salay’s teammate Connor Haney is just as stoked for the upcoming season. High Flyer Haney said he attempts to emulate his housemate Alex O’Neil on the court because of his “certain ruthless instinct for success.”
Many of the teams are made up of roommates and friends, using the intramural system as a way to blow off steam during the often stressful block plan. When asked what it will take to win the championship, Haney responded simply: “Friendship.”
Both Salay and Haney agree that their most significant adversary this year will be C.L.A.S., another squad of veteran intramural basketball players.
Games are held evenings at the Fitness Center Rec Gym. The Open League plays Mondays and Wednesdays while the Co-Ed League plays Tuesdays and Thursdays. You do not have to give up your weekend plans to get your intramural fix. Head down to the Fitness Center to cheer on rivals Shaqtin’ A Fool and C.L.A.S. and many others.