By Zane Goggans

The 2010 intramural basketball season began Monday night, with 50 teams participating in one of ACU’s most popular intramural sports.

Intramural basketball is divided into two levels of competition. The Championship League is a competitive division while the Recreational League is a more relaxed atmosphere. Fifteen teams including many social clubs compete in the Champ League. On the flip side, there are 35 teams in the Rec League. Intramural Director Kenli Edwards says the variety of competition is what makes intramural basketball unique.

“Honestly, I’d say basketball is more popular because it’s indoors and creates a cool atmosphere,” Edwards says. “We have a lot of teams on recreation because everyone can play.”

With different levels of competition come different types of competitors. Zacarias Guerra, freshman graphic design major from Edinburg, leads a team made up entirely of freshmen, but he expects nothing less than excellence from his teammates.

“Most other teams have been together a long time, and we are just starting out,” Guerra says. “But, we have strong players on our squad. No worries here. No one man makes a team.”

While players like Guerra crave competition, other players think it is important to take the seriousness with a grain of salt. Roy Cervantes, freshman nursing major from McAllen, values the importance of competition but likes to have a good time as well.

“We are at an advantage. We aren’t at our ‘freshman 15’ yet,” Cervantes says.

All games will be held in Bennett Gymnasium, with plenty of room for the large turnout the players expect. Edwards says the cozy atmosphere in Bennett Gym is the perfect place to watch a game.