I moved into Highlands Ranch in August of 1986 (I was fifty-three years old at the time) and shortly thereafter began working out at the Northridge Recreation Center which had just opened. I would pop in around eleven-thirty to play basketball with some of the Mission Viejo construction workers and other management types. Tapping into my total recall, I remember some of the Founding Fathers; Tim Amberry, Forest "Woody" Dykstra, Scott Willett, Jeff Kappes, John Kilrow, Mike Turner, Gregg Marthaler, Dave Jackson, and Rey Tenney. Normally, with four to six players, we would play at one side basket. When the players grew to eight we played cross-court. One day we had ten players so we began to play full court, a glorious whole new dimension. We could actually play full court without having a coronary. It felt good!

In its infancy the gym was actually being used very little by others so we continued full court play until an irate parent complained that we were preventing younger children from playing. They had a valid complaint. On one occasion one of our players ran into a small child shooting at one of the side baskets. He wasn't hurt but that incident planted the seed that changes had to be made.

Our feeling was that we were working adults using their lunch hour to get a quick workout and the gym was available to others from opening to closing. In addition, we were now getting between ten and twenty players every day.

When we explained our case to the managers of Northridge and requested that the gym be reserved for adults only, eighteen years and older, from 11:45 AM until 01:15 PM, Monday through Friday, our request was granted.

"Viola!" Nooners basketball was born.

New players were showing up all the time. Jeff Neil (He called me, "The Legend"), Lance Pierce, Walter Hazard, Mike Allen, Tom McGeary, Terry Jesseps (Channel 4), Mark Randel (Denver Nuggets), Craig Jones, Wayne Puglisi, Bill Flecky, Mike Daciek, Jr, Rich Solomon, and Dave Eretle. Some I remember by their first names only, such as, John, Jack, Kevin, and Cary. In the very beginning two young teeny boppers, Martin and Chris hung around hoping for a game. Now they are more mature and are regular players.

As the numbers of players grew we developed rules which are still in use today. We were on limited time and we didn't want to waste it. No more shooting free throws to determine teams or who played first. No more stacking of teams with best players and playing for an hour or more while others sit, being denied a decent workout.

In 2002 at age 69 my left hip began to complain every time I made a rebound. I continued to play hurt for three more years before having my left hip replaced and the doctor said, "No more high impact sports."

A couple months ago I dropped in to visit with old friends, take a few pictures and chat with some of the new players. One of them was Scott Day, Thunder Ridge High school, Class of 2007 and I begged him to let me take his picture. He gave in.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Rule 1 - The first five were shirts (gets the ball out) and the next five were skins.

(By agreement, you may switch skins and shirts for a more balanced game)

Rule 2 - Shooter calls fouls, period, end of debate. (No crying allowed - deal with it)

If you make it, it counts. If you don't you get the ball out.

Rule3 - First to score fifteen points, wins. Threes count. No free throws. Take the ball out.

Rule 4 - Winner plays two games and sits.

Rule 5 - Eighteen and under may play, if agreed on by seniors present, if less than ten players show up. Once a senior enters court he may take the young players place.

Rule 6 - Last game of the day may be changed to end at eleven points (gasp-gasp) or twenty-one points (are you kidding me?).

Rule 7 - Visiting players, young players, college players, senile players, can't violate the rules. Sealed in concrete by FOUNDING NOONERS. It Works well and will last a long time.

During holidays, arrive real early.

Mike "The Legend" Daciek

Glen Eagles Village