Intramural Battles

During long lunches on Thursdays, the Jack Witry field-house contains a buzz to CB’s campus not even the ’96 Bulls Championship run could bring to the city of Chicago.

Often people comment that Thursday schedules are the best schedules CB has. Late start, Falcon Flex, and most of all, the long lunch.

During long lunches on Thursdays, the Jack Witry field-house contains a buzz to CB’s campus not even the ’96 Bulls Championship run could bring to the city of Chicago.

CB intramural basketball, formally known as the Cardenas Basketball Association, is a 12 to 14 team tournament consisting of 3-on-3 games between teams formed by friends.

The Commissioner:

The moderator/commissioner of the Intramural basketball club this year is junior class counselor Mr. Armando Diaz ’94.

Diaz takes over the reigns from Mr. Rene Cardenas, who flourished in his years as commissioner of the league.

Coincidentally, this changing of the guard for CB’s inturmural club is similar to the NBA’s shift from Commisioner David Stern to Commisioner Adam Silver. Much like Silver, Diaz is excited and ready to take the reigns.

“We have a large turnout of 15 teams this year,” Mr. Diaz says enthusiastically. “We are guessing we will have a few dropouts though and expect around 12 to 14 teams.”

“Just getting to watch the kids play and have fun without the stresses of competitive sports would have to be my favorite part,” he says proudly.

The Rules:

The rules of intramural basketball are simple. It is a 3-on-3 game with an option of having two subs of the bench. Teams play to 11 and the first team to win by two is declared the winner.

The more wins a team accumulates throughout the season means the higher the  seed they will receive once the playoff bracket comes out.

Once the playoff bracket comes out, every game turns into a win-or-go-home situation for teams until the final champion is crowned.

Meeting The Teams:

Jake Fuhs (’16), president of basketball operations of one of last years most dominant teams, Team Jake Fuhs (winning on and off the court with that original team name) enjoys the “good vibrations” of intramural battles.

“A championship team takes hard work, sacrifice, and practice 7-8 (yes 8) days a week,” Fuhs goes on to say.

Riley Wong (’16), captain of team Chow Men releases fighting words, commenting that his favorite part of intramural hoops is “beating scrub teams that think we can’t ball.”

Jimmy McCauley (’15), expects to bring home the co-league MVP alongside friend and teammate Joe McNamara (’16).

Keoni Mark (’15), captain of team 2002 Sacramento Kings, which consists of seniors Jack Steindorf (’15), Dominic Smith (’15) , and another student who prefers to be referred as the “Larry Bird of CB intramural basketball”,  says he loves “playing and having fun with his friends.”

Expectations:

Out of all my interviewees, one simple two word statement can sum up their expectations for this years battle.

“Championship Season.”

This type of competitive energy is what makes intramural basketball special.

Intramural Legacy:

Upon leaving my interview with Mr.Diaz, I learned of a Christian Brothers championship caliber franchise many don’t know of.

Mr. Diaz, Mr.David Desmond ’94, and Mr. Brendan Hogan ’95, were all part of an intramural team back in the 90’s when they were students.

“We were bruisers,” Mr. Hogan claims. “Desmond and I were linemen — and we played like it.”

“We made it to the championship game and would have won had the team we were playing not stalled as soon as they got the one point lead and the ball back.” Hogan explained bitterly.

Nonetheless, it is still surreal that these three would be re-united 20 years later as educators here on campus.

This intramural season is destined to be a great one. Come out and watch any Thursday at lunch in the Field-House to watch the future Michael Jordans, Kobe Bryants, and Brad Millers excel on the court.