WINDY CITY MEN'S BASKETBALL -- 2007-2008

Open Gym and Regular Season Information

The WCAA Men's Basketball League is one of the oldest and largest gay basketball leagues in the world. Last season included seventeen teams and more than 150 players. With three divisions (Competitive, Intermediate and Recreational), players of all skill, interest and energy levels are welcome to join, to meet new friends or play with old friends, to enjoy the thrill of competition, the joy of friendship, or simply to engage in weekly exercise.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of prior or present basketball or athletic experience. Please recruit and involve friends from other parts of your life, other sports Leagues, and include them in the experience that is gay basketball.

Intermediate and Recreational Division teams can be pre-formed -- players may determine a roster prior to registration. Players who are either alone or with a smaller group of friends are enthusiastically welcomed. All interested players will be blended with others to form teams of relative parity. While player preference for pre-formed rosters will be recognized, all efforts are made to ensure that teams are approximately equal in talent and skill.

Competitive Division teams are formed by confidential draft. Each team begins with two captains. All players interested in playing on a Competitive team are included in a draft pool. From the draft pool, captains select players until each team has not less than eight players.

Location: All Open Gym sessions and League games are held at Winnemac Park (Amundsen High School), southwest corner of Damen and Foster. If you drive, enter the parking lot on the west side of Damen, south of Foster, and enter the building through the door facing east on the southeast corner of the building (northwest corner of the parking lot).

1. League Coordinators: Greg Walsh (Recreational), Derrek Lyons (Intermediate), Michael McRaith (Competitive). Volunteer support is needed.

2. Open Gym Schedule: Open Gyms will be played on Saturday, December 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd. Open Gym will not be held on Saturday, November 24th. For each Open Gym:
                     9:00 - 10:30  Recreational Division
                   10:30 - 12:00  Intermediate Division
                   12:00 - 1:30   Competitive Division
For Open Gym, look for the sign-in sheet as soon as you enter. Teams are formed by groups of five as recorded on the sign-in sheet.

Open Gym cost: $5.00 -- no pay no play (no exceptions).

3. Team Formation And Registration Party: Team formation is planned for the weekend of December 22nd and 23rd. Plan to attend the League's massive Registration/Holiday party on Sunday, December 23rd, 4:00 p.m., at Mary's Attic in Andersonville. At the party we will publish team rosters, division assignments and, most importantly, uniform colors. Bring your friends -- everyone is invited.

4. Regular Season: The Regular Season will begin Saturday, January 5th. Games will be played only on Saturdays. Team and League schedules will be released by email in the week after team formation.

5. League Fee: $100, which pays for uniform shirts, referees, gym rental charges, supplies, awards, etc. Plan to pay the fee on or before the Registration/Holiday Party on December 23rd.