Matt Hawes ’10
Staff Writer

Throughout my three years of playing Staples basketball, I loved every minute–from the coaches to the team camaraderie. Making the choice to quit and not tryout for the team was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.

When I first thought about quitting, I felt like all the hard work and time put in over the last 15 years of my life were a waste. But for me, two hour practices everyday and two games a week had become stressful and mentally draining.

Over the summer, I went to all the pre-season workouts. During the fall, I played in all the league games: all in anticipating the tryouts, which were two weeks away. Each time I attended those practices, I found myself wanting to relax, and take a day off watching football, rather than going to the scrimmage games in Trumbull.

Finally, I figured my Staples basketball playing days were coming to an end when, subconsciously, I was choosing to run track, rather than going to basketball workouts.

So bring on the weird, spongy, clay-like, court at BMS and the four different sized hoops, because I have traded in my blue and white Staples Wreckers jersey for a Parks and Rec pinny.

I decided to play Rec because I thought that it would give me the opportunity to play a game that I love on my own schedule. The game is stress-free and loose, yet the players are talented and the games are competitive.

“I have traded in my blue and white Staples Wreckers jersey for a Parks and Rec pinny.”

I enjoy the fact that I no longer have to go to practices every day of the week or run suicides and 16s in the gym. I don’t have to worry whether I’m getting enough playing time or fret over remembering all the plays. Instead, I can relax and play basketball with old friends whom I haven’t played competitively with in a long time.

As a Staples basketball player, I never really understood what recreational basketball was about and why everyone that played loved it so much. Previously, a casual conversation with my friends pertaining to Rec would result in arguments over the opinion that the best five Rec players could beat the varsity or JV starters. Having played both Rec and Staples basketball, I can honestly say that this is not true.

Growing up, I was never a big fan of Rec. I remember the heated yelling matches between my Dad and I more than I remember actually playing the game. I remember that everyone on my team fooled around and didn’t take the game as seriously as I did.

But just listening to people talk about Rec stories made me forget my old impressions and I became interested in the school—wide phenomena. The story of a player tackling another player because he was milking the clock at the end of the game ignited my curiosity even more. I have heard stories of parents getting thrown out of Rec games for arguing fouls with the referees. The wackiness, enthusiasm, and most of all, the atmosphere towards Rec basketball ultimately was too much to pass up.

Despite the inconsistent refereeing and rock solid rims on the hoops, Rec has been the most fun I have ever had playing basketball and I look forward to Thursdays.

For many people, Rec is not an activity, but a passion, and Thursday night is and will always be Rec night.