BOSS Red Lyon Tavern 944 Mass. 832-8228 Fine Line Tattoo Inc. - Fraternity & Sorority Letters * Body Pleasing * Bring your own design or choose from our extensive selection * Reasonably priced * Hospital sterilization Mon-Sat 29th & Mass. St 12-8pm Topeka Tues. till 6pm 233-8288 SPORTS PAGE 6B UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 1995 Perfect pick-up game search is on "People gather around six," he said. "It's good competition and the same guys show up night after night, so you become familiar with the games of the people playing. This leads to better games and less selfish play." By Mark Luce Kansan staff writer Homolka said he liked to use the court behind the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, 1425 Tennessee St. The quest for the perfect pick-up basketball game, even in a city with a well-established basketball tradition, can be frustrating if one doesn't know where and when to look. Lawrence offers numerous locales for basketball and with a bit of planning, a little luck, and cooperative weather, games can be found at all competition levels. "It is great to be out in nice weather and not cooped up in the gym," he said. "You have to adjust your game to the wind, the surfaces vary and every rim all over town is different. But you just can't beat playing outside." Even though more people get outside onto concrete and asphalt courts in summer, Robinson Center has the best facilities and the most courts in Lawrence. The floor was remodeled in June, and all the courts and rims are regulation length and height. Competitive games at Robinson are played at noon and in the early evening, said Pat Collinsworth, Wichita senior. "Robinson in the summer is great," Collinsworth said. "You can always run a full game; they have a nice court, and the competition is always there, no matter what your playing level." Despite being full size, the Beta For outdoor action, the facilities are not as nice or consistent, but Scott Homolka, Salina senior, said playing outside provided a more fulfilling basketball experience. Jay Thornton / KANSAN Theta Pi court has strong rims, which steadfastly refuse to give forgiving bounces. Also, a lack of lights means that as the summer rolls on, the games end earlier. The court in Buford Watson Park at Sixth and Tennessee streets, known as "The Pit" to frequent players, is another place to find a competitive game, especially in the early evening and on weekends. The competition level varies, with some games intense and physical. There are no lights, and the rims are different heights. The Pit has another drawback. After a rain, the court gets flooded, and as the water drains, a thin layer of dried muck covers the court. Veteran's Park, 19th and Louisiana streets, has some of the most competitive games in town on the weekend, said David Stuber, Lawrence senior. He said that although he liked playing under the lights, the facility was not what it could be. Eric Meyer, assistant professor of civil engineering, brings the ball down the court during a faculty/staff game in Robinson Center on Monday. The games are played all year on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon. "The courts are simply too small," Stuber said. "There is never enough room to run, and all the rims are different heights. It's just too crowded to run a good five-on-five game." North Lawrence offers two good facilities, one at John Taylor Park, Seventh and Walnut streets, and lighted courts at Lyon Street Park, Seventh and Lyon streets. The Taylor court has a new surface, well painted three-point lines and forgiving rims. A game at either location usually must be organized in advance since not many people go to these locales for pick-up games. For times when players want to slam dunk, but simply can't reach regulation rims, there are three different places to play on goals only 8 to 8 1/2-feet tall. Both Cordley Elementary School at 1837 Vermont St. and Pinckney elementary School at 810 W. Sixth St. have reinforced low goals. Qualal Run Elementary, 1130 Inventry Dr, has a dunker's dream court. Set back in a wooded area east of the school lies a narrow full court with 8-foot goals at each end. Collinsworth, Stuber and Homolka all said the courts around the city were not as well maintained as they could be. especially in a basketball-rich town, it's too bad there are not more lighted outdoor facilities," Homolka said. "With the number of students, "It would be wonderful if some sort of organized outdoor summer league could be started. I am sure the interest is there," he said. Looking For a Great Place to Live? Come by and see what Naismith Hall has to offer. Lawrence's premier private student housing option—the exceptional affordable choice for KU students Quiet study areas Fully furnished and carpeted suites, each with their own bath Air conditioned Air conditioned Featuring our"Dine Anytime" program that serves terrific meals with unlimited seconds anytime between breakfast and dinner. Coed Fitness Center Convenient location next to campus and on the KU bus route Maid service Cable TV in floor lounges and on large screen TV Computer room with Macintosh and IBM computers Tours available daily including weekends—just drop by!! Don't have time to stop by? Call us and we'll be happy to send an information packet. If you've already signed a lease but are interested-call us and we'll see what we can do. at are interested Naismith Hall 1800 Naismith Drive 843-8559 1-800-GOKU