Bookstore Basketball . . .

<p>It is the largest outdoor 5 v 5 tournament in the world . . . where are the postings on this?</p>

<p>Irish and others, were you on a team? Have you played yet? What are some of the most creative team names and uniforms?</p>

<p>My son told me there was a team called Prince or something. They wore purple like their idol and danced on defense. Got blown out of the tournament but it was interesting.</p>

<p>I haven't ever played, trust me you wouldn't want me on your team, but my roommate is playing this year. I am not sure about the team names this year but in the past there were some very creative ones. Brady Quinn's old team was called "You Got A Bad Draw" and they were good enough to back it up. I don't recall many of the other names, however. If you check the observer at <a href="http://www.ndsmcobserver.com%5B/url%5D"&gt;www.ndsmcobserver.com&lt;/a> there will be bookstore basketball stories in the coming weeks.</p>

<p>Some teams do wear costumes, and it makes the early rounds interesting. They don't last long. Personally, I have to admit that my favorite costumed team was the cheerleaders from last year...they all wore spandex. No comment on why that was my favorite.</p>

<p>haha this is awesome</p>

<p>Why is it called bookstore basketball? Are the games played near the bookstore or something?</p>

<p>Yep one of the venues is the courts next to the bookstore. Rules are 5 on 5, play to 21 (win by 2), all shots 1 point. I've had one game so far and I had a lot of fun, although I imagine some teams (especially the seeded ones) take it pretty seriously. Most teams are in it just to have a good time though--to that end some even get drunk before the games, I've heard. So it's a great experience for everyone, whether you are in it to win or not.</p>

<p>After starting with over 600 teams I understand that the Bookstore Basketball tournament is down to 16 teams. I am sure that this tournament is what Chillin' saw when he visited recently.</p>

<p>It is the tournament Chillin saw. I have some friends in those final 16 teams...should be fun.</p>

<p>yep, It was really cool. There was prob a few hundred people out there watching. I would have wanted nothing more than to jump in and play. Haha it was awesome. There was a few teams in costume which was hilarious.</p>

<p>My son has played bookstore two years in a row. I think he's lasted until the second or third round, tops. Biggest deal is coming up with a name--cleverly suggestive enough to stand out, yet enough to get past the censors. If the censors reject your name, you have a few more chances to submit another one. I think my son is playing on Team 230-something this year...I don't really even want to know what the rejected names were!</p>

<p>Actually, he's become quite a pick-up basketball fanatic. He never went out for the high school team because it was pretty elite and he didn't have a whole lot of confidence in his abilities--became a runner instead. But now, he plays so much, he looks like a kid who could have actually done pretty well in high school. Now, though, there is no pressure. Only the satisfaction of playing the game. </p>

<p>I'd say bookstore, interhall, pickup games in the Rock and quad football games are among his favorite things about Notre Dame. Such things are also appealing to his little sister, who will be joining him next year. So many opportunities to play the games you love with people who are good at them--none of the pressure, all of the fun. </p>

<p>It's like a giant health club and retreat center, which is why we old farts love to keep coming back!</p>

<p>I'd say bookstore, interhall, pickup games in the Rock and quad football games are among his favorite things about Notre Dame.</p>

<p>Man Ddjones, your son and I must have a lot in common. That too is something that Im the most excited about. Just reading that got me excited.</p>

<p>Our entire family has always been into sports and fitness. We still play family pickup games (we play rough, too!). My husband is 49 years old and still plays pickup basketball games with mostly younger guys four mornings a week--my son joins him when he comes back for breaks. We just love to play.</p>

<p>That is a huge part of the appeal of Notre Dame for both my son and my daughter. I've always thought the stereotype of "the jock" as being somehow mutually exclusive of the intellectual was a big crock!</p>