The NCCS Regional Basketball championships take place every February. It features the best intramural basketball teams from all over the eastern seaboard. The NCSS Regional Basketball championships provide basketball enthusiasts with a chance to play at a higher level of competition and attain a measure of success and glory.
Each team consists of five players who earn their way into the NCCS tournament by competing in school tournaments. The winners get a spot in the tournament, by way of an entry fee of 300 dollars. UMB covers the cost for the school champions.
Chris Fitzgerald, Assistant Athletic Director of the Intramural and Recreation Programs, recapped the events of the latest tournaments:
The team Young Gunnaz competed last weekend in the National Intramural Recreation & Sports Association (NIRSA) National Collegiate Championship Series (NCCS) Region I Basketball Tournament.
The team consisted of the following students: Tim Fontaine, Anthony Raines, Kyle Gonsalves, Paul Cinelli, Kristi Gjikondi , Liam Maguir ,Paul Kielb, Robel Ghebremichael, and Jeff Kelleher.
They were situated in the Northeast bracket with other colleges Cornell, Penn State and Sacred Heart.
On Friday night, they lost to Cornell; Saturday morning, they lost to Penn State; Saturday afternoon, they won against Sacred Heart. Unfortunately, the two losses disqualified them from advancing to Sunday’s single elimination playoffs, so they ended the tournament with 1 win, 2 losses.
Olo Bayoul, a senior english major and ASC sports manager, has been involved with intramural sports since he started UMB as a freshman.
“My freshman year I just stepped into the gym and meet some guys playing ball”, quoted Bayoul. “I had heard about college intramural sports in high school so I was eager to get involved.”
Bayoul has twice been the captain of UMB tournament winning teams. He described the 5 on 5 matches as: “Very competitive. There are those who are really just there to have fun but out of eight teams, there is at least three very good ones that often have members of the Beacons on them.”
As competitive as the in house tourneys may be, they do not compare to the level of game that is brought to the NCCS Regional.
“Your up against the best teams from all over Ivy league schools and serious sports schools like Villanova”, stated Bayoul. “That’s why intramurals is so great because it leads to a larger pool of competition.”
In addition to the thrill of vanquishing ones foes in fair and dramatic contest, intramural sports provide opportunities to build friendships and hone skills. Bayoul reflected fondly on his playing experiences in organized tournaments sponsored by the Asian Student Center.
“A lot of my friends are from five on five tournaments. As captain, I was able to build friendships through leadership and teamwork.”
The list of advantages to be taken from this often times forgotten department is extensive. It is an alternative to time consuming seasonal play that should appeal to the busiest of students. Another added benefit is motivation, which Bayoul discusses is key to staying in shape.
“Five on five basketball drives me to stay in shape”, quoted Bayoul. “It becomes more than a hobby. I want to perform well and that makes me want to stay fit. ”
Bayoul also emphasized how organizations like the Asian Student Center can effectively cooperate with each other.
“We organize the events, they provide the space and time”, stated Bayoul. “There is a lot of back and forth, and it can take little work but it is mutually beneficial. For instance our upcoming 3 on 3 tournament on March 25th draws attention to our center, as well as the intramurals program. In that way, it helps to build the UMB community.”