Giving up the option to play high school basketball may have been one of the hardest decisions I had to make in coming to The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science. Thankfully, it ended up being of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I have been able to play basketball more than ever.

At the Gatton Academy, during your enrollment, you are not allowed to play KHSAA sports, but this doesn’t mean you have to give up the sport completely. WKU intramural clubs offer a lot of options for sports that people play. These clubs allow you to compete in your sport of choosing and still receive that team experience that you would have had at your sending school.

Since my junior year, I have participated on Gatton’s intramural basketball team by the name of Florence Schneider Ball. Over these 2 years, I have had the ability to get closer with peers around me from Gatton while also playing the sport I love. Even in the games where we lost, it was still a great experience with my friends. The bond has been so strong that even when it is not during intramural season, we still organize to hoop with each other. During this most recent semester, our team made it to the semi-finals of the tournament! It was a close game that went to overtime, but we unfortunately lost by 1, 43-44. Even with the loss, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

As I said previously, even when it isn’t basketball season time, you are still able to play basketball at any time you please. On campus, there is the Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center where you can not only play basketball, but also enjoy the fitness center and classes, track, pool, and locker rooms. The center is open every day of the week and certain hours throughout the day, so you can attend any time you are able.

I strongly encourage participating in any club or intramural during your time here, whether it is basketball or not. You not only get enjoyment from the sport or club itself, but also friends that you can bond with outside of your leisure time. I have been able to meet some lifelong friends through the connection of just basketball, and it could be the same for anyone who decides to be a part of the community. I have felt at home, and while I may not be playing high school sports, I have felt as if my urge for it has still been fulfilled while being here. As they say, the possibilities are always endless.