2008 Woodie Awards
Intramural hoop teams set for Nike-sponsored event
Alex Overland
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Sports
Although the first semester is finished, the intramural basketball season is all but over. Coming up the weekend of Feb. 22-24, Nike hosts its annual extramural basketball tournament.?
In addition to five-on-five basketball, highlights of the event include a slam dunk and 3-point competition; awards for first and second place as well as sportsmanship; and a bid for the National Basketball Tournament April 18-20 in Columbus, Ohio.?
Set to take place at DePaul University in Illinois, UW-Whitewater plans to send both the intramural champions from last semester's men's "A" league as well as the women's basketball club to the Nike-sponsored tournament. ?
Having won the tournament once before, the women's basketball club hopes to make this year successful as well. Club president and team member Katie Kinjerski said her team is extremely excited to compete in the Nike-sponsored tournament.?
"For us it's the best tournament," Kinjerski said. "You get the most out of it. If you win you get a lot of apparel … [and] they'll pay for your entry fee into another tournament."?
According to the official Web site of the tournament, there are two registration deadlines. Teams registered by Friday's early bird date will receive Nike team jerseys along with two Nike basketballs. However, teams registered by the final deadline of Feb. 8 are not guaranteed jerseys or basketballs.?
In addition, the Web site also includes a list of directions, confirmed officials and teams, as well as the necessary requirements for each team looking to participate.?
While any team wishing to compete in the tournament can, the entry fee, $225 for out-of-state teams, can be hard for college students to come up with. Luckily, Coordinator of Intramurals and Club Sports Missy Pritzl has plans to help pay the entry fee.?
"I try to help," Pritzl said. "If we can pay their entry fee, or part of the entry to whoever wins the all-campus championship, [we do]. Kind of a little incentive to go onto another tournament."?
While both UW-Whitewater teams have their hearts and minds set on winning the tournament, Pritzl said that there is more to competing in the Nike tournament than simply taking home a trophy.?
"It's a great way to have some more competition apart from your own school," Pritzl said. "It's kind of the top teams from all the schools around the region, [and] out of state. It's a great way to meet other people, and kind of get our school name out there, too."
In addition to five-on-five basketball, highlights of the event include a slam dunk and 3-point competition; awards for first and second place as well as sportsmanship; and a bid for the National Basketball Tournament April 18-20 in Columbus, Ohio.?
Set to take place at DePaul University in Illinois, UW-Whitewater plans to send both the intramural champions from last semester's men's "A" league as well as the women's basketball club to the Nike-sponsored tournament. ?
Having won the tournament once before, the women's basketball club hopes to make this year successful as well. Club president and team member Katie Kinjerski said her team is extremely excited to compete in the Nike-sponsored tournament.?
"For us it's the best tournament," Kinjerski said. "You get the most out of it. If you win you get a lot of apparel … [and] they'll pay for your entry fee into another tournament."?
According to the official Web site of the tournament, there are two registration deadlines. Teams registered by Friday's early bird date will receive Nike team jerseys along with two Nike basketballs. However, teams registered by the final deadline of Feb. 8 are not guaranteed jerseys or basketballs.?
In addition, the Web site also includes a list of directions, confirmed officials and teams, as well as the necessary requirements for each team looking to participate.?
While any team wishing to compete in the tournament can, the entry fee, $225 for out-of-state teams, can be hard for college students to come up with. Luckily, Coordinator of Intramurals and Club Sports Missy Pritzl has plans to help pay the entry fee.?
"I try to help," Pritzl said. "If we can pay their entry fee, or part of the entry to whoever wins the all-campus championship, [we do]. Kind of a little incentive to go onto another tournament."?
While both UW-Whitewater teams have their hearts and minds set on winning the tournament, Pritzl said that there is more to competing in the Nike tournament than simply taking home a trophy.?
"It's a great way to have some more competition apart from your own school," Pritzl said. "It's kind of the top teams from all the schools around the region, [and] out of state. It's a great way to meet other people, and kind of get our school name out there, too."
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