Comments about ‘Basketball still important to church’

Church basketball is nothing compared to what it was forty years ago. It was something that every young man participated in, whether a member or not. The level of coaching was much better. But now, the wards are so small and the participation so limited, it is almost impossible to have a good basketball program.

Sports have become a religion to millions of Americans who worship their favorite athletes and teams, often on Sundays. It's too bad that the LDS Church continues to default its Young Men's program to basketball due to inadequate planning by leaders. The fact of the matter is that basketball is a contact sport and no amount of reffing is going to change the ill will generated by a hard foul. Teamwork and physical fitness can be achieved off the court in a variety of ways. I was a college level scholarship athlete and yet none of my children have shown any interest in sports, but instead are musicians.

It's very difficult to break the traditions of man, even when they become counterproductive and ill-advised.

And I won't even start on the Scouting program!

The brawl that starts with a prayer!

I remember being "escorted" off the floor.

I disagree. The church used to build churches will full size courts. Now, it is not uncommon for only the stake center to have a full-sized court. 50 years ago, we didn't have all the extra curricular activities we do now. But the church still does a good job of making you feel guilty if you decide not to give another night away from the family (bringing the total in our family of 3 nights a week). I really struggle with all the time away from family time at home.

I played church ball, it was fun! Left it for a few years. Last time I played it was co-ed, I thought that was pretty interesting. Some of the female players were X Coug basketball players. There was a host of condescending remarks by the males and they hesitated to pass the ball to these gals. That was unfortunate. I guess the intent of having fun was lost. Allot of poor sportsmanship, intentional hard fouls to get back at another player, etc. Never played again after that experience. Hope it has changed but I doubt it.

Seems like a few years ago there was a big push to down-play the role of sports in the "church" expereince- now it seems to be back- interesting to watch the eb and flow of such things- basketball for me in the Church was a great thing- it gave me a place to go and something to do whether living in Virginia, Utah, New York, or Illinois- however in all of those places I have watched YM fall by the side because as posted earlier with a lack of planning and vision often the YM's program defaults to basketball each week or if there is an activity the plan is to get done as quickly as possible so we can play- not all YM like that and I suspect that has become increasingly true over time- as noted I love to play but not sure that is what will move YM ahead the most over time- what worked for me may not work for all

My father is not a member of the LDS faith yet he remembers with such fondness the all church tournament- he to this day claims it was some of the best basketball he ever watched- I never saw it but watching him light up about it makes me wish I had- he also describes the darker side of it though with loaded teams and recruiting efforts that might make a few blush today- who knows but it certainly was a major sporting venue in Utah and Idaho sports several decades ago

Basketball, properly played and officiated is NOT a contact sport. And therein lies the problem with Church Basketball. People think that it is. They are used to watching the NBA on TV where the refs let people get away with everything. They think that they can play like that.

I ran a stake sports program years ago. When I was called to the position the Stake President told me to suspend D&C 121 where it talks about unrighteous dominion, because he wanted sportsmanship. He let me run the program to achieve that end.

I basically made the wards provide me three bretheren each as officials. If they didn't provide them, I wouldn't let their teams play. I had a four week training course for the officials. I had a system in place that provided a manditory sit down for a "T" of 8 minutes. The 8 minutes would carry over to the next game. Also a note from the Bishop was needed for the player to play the next week. If a player got ejected, they had to see their Bishop and the Stake President.

Over the years I was part of the problem, I got better.

It was just another way of getting kids into the church. Then baptize them. Many parents pulled out the kids, some got baptized then left. That's one reason the numbers are so high.

This past Sunday during Ward Council meeting the discussion turned to Church basketball, and the Relief Society president stated that it should be done away with, mainly because basketball practice sometimes interfered with RS meetings at night. Several spoke in favor of her suggestion, including the Bishop. Then the ward mission leader said, "I was baptized because of the Church basketball program." End of discussion.

I totally agree with Mike--referee training is absolutely essential. Players accept calls made by professionals (or people who have been trained) rather than local pick-up refs that are just there because they have to be.

Sometimes it's the spectators who are the problem because they don't know the rules of the game either.

Jim, you were never invited to play were you! Sorry it has impacted your life so negatively, may you can find some other positive activity to help you overcome the psychological impact. May I suggest underwater basket weaving.

Church ball is a humbling experience, in which the youth especially, can broaden their sphere. To deny them that opportunity would over time result in decreased numbers in their church activation. Take a look at other churches and see how they by and large struggle to keep the youth activated.

So to the posts that complain about being away from family... I agree, but think of what you are doing as greater good for the community. Even adult church ball can be considered as setting an example to the youth.

I think the pros out weigh the cons.

LDS church sports are a lot of fun, basketball (2 sprained ankles same winter), vollyball (broken wrist), softball (broken tibia sliding into 2nd), wouldn't have missed it.

Jim, why don't you just say "I rode the bench, and I'm still angry" lol

Our Stake has taken steps to keep athletics and other youth activities in their proper context.

All the youth programs are scheduled for the same night. In this case you may share a single building with a couple of other wards. Each ward is assigned a specific week that they can make use of the gym.

I really appreciated this as a youth leader. I didn't have the young men chomping to go and play basketball, because the gym simply wasn't available.

Athletics were then scheduled for other days/times for practices and games.

Basketball is certainly a contact sport- hence the reason we call fouls and you have a limited number of them- I have played basketball at many levels and across several decades and have never played on a team that did not have a dedicated enforcer- as I have aged, broadend, and slowed I have increasingly filled that role- it is part of the game and to suspect it can be removed from the mindset of middle aged white guys living out their sport dreams and fulfilling their unfullfilled sports ambitions would seem silly- I love to think we can do better in the church but I fear human nature is a little stronger than brotherly love once you get on the court- just a thought

My sons have no interest in the scouting program. Fortunately, they love basketball so that gives them an opportunity to form and strengthen friendships with other kids in the ward. If it's basketball or nothing, I'll gladly take basketball.

Mike -- We have a similar program in the Cedar Hills Stake men's division -- If you don't ref or keep the book or clock at a youth game (men's games are for the daunting) , you don't play in the post-season. It works well.

We also have a system for dealing with those incidents that make church ball infamous -- Team captains are required to provide feedback each week. One stake athletic director is also present at each game and he files his observation if something occurs.

The incidents happen, but you can make them a growth experience if you handle them right.

BTW -- we have fun in the 15th ward. I cant play because of a bad heart, so I webcast the games. Post-game interviews are a hoot.