High school intramurals have arrived

There's no mistaking its reputation when it comes to sports: West Aurora is a basketball school.

Even long before Gordie Kerkman arrived nearly half a century ago, West was revered for its basketball excellence.

But here's the thing. Each year, regardless of the level of success, only a fraction of the student body is actively involved in the basketball program. We're talking 12-15 varsity players, only half of whom see regular playing time.

Those numbers are bulked up by the various lower levels -- junior varsity, sophomore, freshman, etc. So let's use a ballpark figure, say 100 players.

Still, that's a small number -- less than five percent of the student body -- considering West Aurora's enrollment is 3,368. Certainly, many of those students can play basketball and would enjoy the opportunity. For whatever reasons, though, they don't often play outside P.E. class or the occasional open gym.

Some might not have made the team cut. Most others likely have jobs or other responsibilities and activities that make it difficult for them to commit the time and dedication it takes to play high school sports.

But student surveys indicated they'd still love to play. So Andy Lutzkenkirchen and Mike Slou put their athletic departmental heads together and brainstormed scenarios. They gave it the college try and have developed what they think is a win-win situation.

In conjunction with the Fox Valley Park District and area high schools, West will launch a pilot intramural program slated to begin at the end of this month or early February. The plan is for a 6-week season with two games per week on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

Students from all schools in the FVPD are invited to participate. That list includes West Aurora, East Aurora, Marmion, Aurora Central, IMSA, Aurora Christian, Waubonsie Valley and Rosary. They'll be allowed to form teams of 10 players with all their own classmates, or combine with friends from other schools.

My biggest question is…am I too old to join?

OK. Although my intramural days have come and gone, this is worth getting excited about. Though we never had an opportunity like this back in the Stone Age when I was in high school, I enjoyed intramural hoops throughout college. It greatly enhanced the campus experience.

To have that opportunity in high school is fantastic. Not only does it provide non-rostered athletes a forum in which to compete, but it does so without involving the sacrifice (and frequent drudgery) of practicing every day.

So they'll get to enjoy all that's great about sports -- the camaraderie, the excitement, the teamwork, the friendships, the fun -- and do so on their terms.

"The kids will have ownership of the league," Slou said. "We (school and FVPD staff) are simply providing the facilities and the oversight to make sure everything runs smoothly. But it's the kids who will form their own teams -- which they're excited about -- and they can organize practices, design plays, whatever they want."

Initial plans were to hold games at West High, but time and space restrictions made that difficult. That's when the FVPD got involved, and offered the Vaughan Center on Indian Trail as the league's home. Games will be played in the evenings, generally from 6:30 to 9.

What's more is that it will involve aspiring referees from Waubonsee Community College and Aurora University who are enrolled in sports officiating classes, providing them a live internship of sorts.

It's yet another selling point to a great idea that is a potential slam dunk. Besides keeping teenagers active and occupied in a fun setting, the intramural program provides on-the-job training and experience for officials, who will be paid.

Given the perennial shortage of officials and referees for IHSA-sanctioned games, that can only help.

And it will basically cost players next to nothing to participate. The current fee is $15, and Slou said it could be even less, depending on the number of players. It won't go up, he said, only down.

"We don't want the fee to be a barrier," Slou said.

Twelve games for $15 or less? At a quality facility, with paid officials and a scoreboard? I've paid more at indoor gyms just to practice free throws in dim light.

For now, Slou is the unofficial head recruiter, roving school hallways and visiting the lunch room to get the word out. No matter how many players sign up for the league's debut, he says everything is a go. He's hoping that once kids start talking among themselves, interest and participation will spread.

If it grows as expected, the FVPD has offered court space at the Prisco Center as well. They're even talking about similar leagues in volleyball and soccer if this one is successful.

"We hope the league gets to the point where it runs itself," Slou said. "We want it to be their (kids') league, something they can take pride in."

Students interested in getting involved should contact the athletic director at their school -- and get their game face on.