March 07, 2024 | SPORTS | By Olivia Xerras
This Sunday, March 10, Reid Arena will host two teams of nine Colorado College students in a highly anticipated Intramural (IM) All-Star game. The players on each team consist of many of the best basketball talent this campus has to offer and will make history as the first ever IM All-Star game on a Colorado College court.
The idea originated to inspire IM open league players to work for something beyond a championship t-shirt. The battle of the all-stars has high hopes to be a continued tradition for future years as players will begin to work towards a strong title attached to their name: “IM All-Star Team Champions” paired with a photograph on the wall of fame posted in the El Pomar Hallway.
The rosters are in, and the captains and coaches have been strategically picked. This upcoming Sunday, knowledgeable students of the game, Alex Aronie ‘25 and Angello Soto, an intern from UCCS who has a strong love for basketball, will lead this talent in a standard regulation game and make their debuts as coaches. Appointed captains Curtis Hale ‘25 and Will Webb ‘24 will lead their teams, dubbed Team Hale and Team Webb, as they face off with their chosen draftees.
The captains spoke of their aspirations for the Sunday game as both having high expectations for the ball game ahead. Webb says, “I’m mostly just looking forward to playing some high level, competitive hoops against some defensive stalwarts like Luke Culver.”
Hale adds, “I think more than anything I am looking forward to basketball at a good level… I doubt anyone is taking it easy.”
What’s the prize one may ask? Webb says, “The reward for winning, I believe, is to have our team picture put up on the wall of fame.” Webb continues, “To be immortalized like that in the storied El Pomar Fitness Center would be a dream come true, to put it lightly.” He then adds, “Captaining this team takes precedence over any academic or familial endeavors at the moment.”
Hale also raises the following point: “I think the stakes are extremely high. It will be fun for both bragging rights and the sake of winning…Honestly, I drafted based on the players I really don’t want to play against.”
Just like the National Basketball League pro’s, Webb says, “Once my team wins, we will celebrate with class — ski goggles and champagne showers in the staff locker room.”
Hale claim’s his team will surely celebrate, although a bit differently. “I am a big advocate of team bonding. I think if we win, enjoying a few cold sodas would probably be the best way to celebrate.” Then adds, “Regardless of win or loss I think it’ll be a blast.”
For future All-Star games, the captains were asked what more could be added to make the event stand out and fun to attend. Webb replies, “Only one game is scheduled, but maybe in future years we could look to expand the proceedings, adding a three-point contest or skills challenge.”
Hale remarks, “I don’t know. If you mean if there will be a dunk contest or a three-point contest I am not sure.” Hale continues, “Regardless, I doubt I will be participating in either. Although I think that would be really fun to do.”
Place your bet folks, the first ever IM All-Star game will be a can’t miss event conveniently placed on campus to watch your friends, crushes and acquaintances alike. Tip-off is at 1 p.m. at Reid Arena. See you there.