SBA: Because REAL Basketball is Played

SBA: Because “REAL” Basketball is Played before Noon

Many middle school families know Mr. Joe Linsmeier as the Facilities Director or the former Associate Principal. Fewer have the privilege of knowing him as the head of SBA. What is SBA? Saturday morning Basketball Association because, according to Mr. Linsmeier, “’REAL’ basketball is played before noon!” The philosophy of SBA is that for some middle school students, sports are becoming too competitive. Mr. Linsmeier offers the SBA for students who do not want the highly competitive atmosphere or are not able to commit the required time to the traditional sport programs, but still want to experience the fun and excitement of playing in an organized game with their friends and classmates. Players show up when they want and teams are formed when players arrive, so there is no pressure to be there every week and there are no practices.

Athletes having fun is the number one goal and that is stressed repeatedly. There aren’t coaches and players call the fouls. All participants in the SBA, regardless of ability, play the entire game.

SBA started when the middle school opened. Originally there were both boy's and girl's programs, but SBA has changed with the times. Now girls and boys play side by side and Mr. Linsmeier has instituted what he believes is the great equalizer: “The Gentleman’s Rule”. “The Gentlemen’s Rule” states that a gentleman never blocks a lady’s shot or steals her dribble. If a gentleman does this, he earns a foul and usually some good-natured ribbing.

Mr. Linsmeier takes pride in the fact that the first game is very different from the last game of the season. Confidence levels are up and more fun is being had. Parents enjoy watching the games and cheering for ALL of the players. The season ends with a parent-child game each year, which undoubtedly supplies additional memories for players and parents—and definitely some laughs too. Mr. Linsmeier enjoys each of the weeks. He gets to interact with the players and parents on a different level and he is thanked by at least one parent and one player every week, making it even more worthwhile. He gives up his Saturday mornings, but he gets a lot out of them too.

Look for the SBA sign-up in the XMS newsletter next fall.

SBA League Rules • Technical foul = automatic two points (or more!) and the ball • Intentional foul = automatic two points (or more) and the ball • Gentleman’s Rule applies ALWAYS (a gentleman NEVER blocks a lady’s shot or steals her dribble) • There is absolutely no arguing with the referee!