It’s not March Madness — it’s Monday night intramurals at the University of Regina, a glorious mess of air balls, accidental elbows, fisticuffs and unexpected buzzer beaters.
“I love the competition, I want to win,” said Lanny Scott, a third-year physical education major. “We haven’t won yet. But hopefully this semester.”
Emotions run high, with some comparing the games to the NBA Finals Game 7. With the first round of playoffs having begun, the intensity of the games has noticeably picked up.
“We want to create a culture that (promotes) player safety and creates a fun, competitive environment,” said Owen Kristoff, the manager for the intramural basketball league, which has about 150 students participating each semester.
On-court scuffles and disagreements are a common theme seen across games, something the officials deal with on a regular basis. These incidents have occasionally escalated to off-court incidents which required Protective Services to step in.
A fair amount of attention has been drawn towards the referees, who seem to be on the receiving end of a majority of the criticism.
“Incapable refs” and “inconsistent calls” are common points of complaint from players who participate, and many believe this is the reason for clashes between teams and escalated altercations.
Many players believe that officials and management could take more measures to prevent altercations and feel as though these incidents aren’t adequately addressed, but that hasn’t turned anyone away from being a participant.
“Player safety is our main concern, connecting with each other, making new friends and ultimately enjoying what they’re doing,” Kristoff said.
This league offers ex-high-school players and sports fans a platform to continue being involved in the community and meeting like-minded people.
“Basketball has always been a safety net for me,” said Kaedyn Banilevic, a fourth-year Physical Education major.
“When I came here, I didn’t know anybody. Through a friend, I joined a team and made a bunch of friends.”
Basketball is one of the eight sports the university offers. It is available to every registered student at the U of R and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
Run entirely by students, this also offers opportunities for people who want to contribute in ways beyond playing the sport.
“It’s $15 per person on each team; most university students can do that,” said Scott, “It’s a great way to meet people and stay in shape.”
This league is also a good prospect for university athletes to maintain their level of fitness during the off-season. The women’s soccer team and the men’s football team can be seen enrolling their teams.
The athletes believe this is a good way to let off steam, participate in team-building exercises and create a sense of camaraderie within themselves away from their main premises.
“There are always improvements to be made, making sure everyone is on the same page and everyone communicates,” said Kristoff.
