The co-rec division of Loyola’s intramural basketball league offers students a chance to participate in a level of intramural basketball that is less competitive than the men’s division.

Despite the less competitive nature, the co-rec division is regarded as a “fun” division where stats are meaningless. “The men’s (division) was all about stats and standings, whereas co-rec was more about fun and just playing the game of basketball,” said James Leman , philosophy sophomore and Loyola Asian Student Organization guard.

Leman’s teammate Samantha Lee, accounting and finance junior and guard, also enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of the co-rec division. “[We] just liked to play basketball, nothing serious,” Lee said.

Part of the reason the men’s division is more competitive than the co-rec division are the special rules that slow down the co-rec game. For instance, in the co-rec division, men are not allowed to shoot within the lane, and players cannot guard players of the opposite sex.

“The men’s games are more competitive because there is a more even playing field, and there aren’t any special rules to try and remember. In co-rec you can’t defend an opposing player of the opposite sex, so there’s much more strategy that goes into playing in co-rec games,” said Brandon Parham, Athletics and Wellness employee and BSU captain and point-forward.

Lee also expressed her desire to change the co-rec rules in hopes of improving the division. “Sometimes I wished that guys had the ability to be in the lane during co-rec games,” she said.

With only four teams competing in this year’s co-rec division, questions have arisen regarding whether the co-rec division can survive moving into the future. “I see the division holding up, but I don’t think the division will ever be as strong as the men’s division,” Lee said.

Both Leman and Parham stressed the importance of getting more students to participate in the co-rec division.

“I have noticed that the teams are a lot more talented than last year. It’s just a matter of getting more girls to participate,” Leman said.

“I would love for the co-rec league to hold up and continue into the future, not just in basketball, but in all the sports offered by the intramural sports program here at Loyola. I think there has to be more of an effort and participation on the students’ behalf to keep things going, though. I really think if we could get more sororities and fraternities involved, it would help,” Parham said.

Richard Dempsey can be reached at [email protected]