Intramural basketball is an opportunity to put those Nike basketball shoes that have been left in the closet back on to the hardwood.

Whether it is to relive basketball glory years, find time for exercise or for pure competition, the Loyola basketball intramural league provides students, faculty, staff and alumni an opportunity to get in the game.

In the men’s league, the Bad Apples have become known for being a top contender. The Bad Apples lost in the championship game for the spring 2009 season against Birdman’s Dealers — but emerged as a close second.

While their past record is not flawless, the Bad Apples stand out as a legacy team in a league known for turnover. The Bad Apples started as the Pigs in the spring 2006 semester.

After a rocky first season, the team made a comeback in the fall 2007 semester with some new players and a new name, the Bad Apples. The Bad Apples have expanded their basketball team now to cover the volleyball court as well as the football, soccer and softball fields. Since the beginning of their run as an intramural powerhouse, they have won a football championship and have previously been to the basketball championship.

According to the Bad Apples themselves, the secret to their success is friendship and a love of the game. Brandon Parham, a second-year team member, said, “We all have a passion for the game, we all have a basketball background, and we all play to win. So we tried to get the most talented group of guys together and play the game we love.” 

Nic Keim, philosophy sophomore and Bad Apples rookie is modest about their success.

“(We’re) just a bunch of dudes. These kids are really competitive; they have a lot of talent. It’s a whole bunch of rowdy kids who love to play sports,” Keim said.

Keim, who also plays intramural football with the Bad Apples, agreed that the friendly chemistry on the team is substantial.

“We all hang out, we all go drinking at the bars after the games … It’s champagne if we win the championship,” he said.

 “I always go in to the year thinking that we’re the team to beat but Phi Psi (who is also 4-0) has a (great) team this year and you can’t count out the defending champs Princess Tower Protectors (formerly known as Birdman’s Dealers),” Parham said.

At the end of the season, the top teams compete for the championship. On top of a free shirt, bragging rights and a temporarily immortalizing picture in the University Sports Complex’s championship board, the intramural champions are invited to compete in the Louisiana Collegiate Intramural-Recreational Sports Association state championships each year.

When asked one word to describe the Bad Apples, Scotty Gilliand, international business senior and a current and original team member, said, “Dynasty.”

John Magallenez can be reached at [email protected]