CMSA Open Basketball

01/05/2024

11/06/2022

Good afternoon

I have received interest through conversations regarding the reboot of Open Basketball. I have sent multiple email and surveys regarding this over the last two years, with little to no response given. I am trying to make every effort to get the league started back up.

My approach is to see how much interest we can get from the Open Gym format and then help that cascade into rebooting the league.

We are looking for leadership to help create and execute a strategic plan so that we can have a healthy and robust league which is welcoming to all members of our community. ,

Please respond to this survey by November 28,2022 - https://forms.gle/YECVQV5k9WUtsDyc8

Thank you

Michael Richardson

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02/22/2022

Good Morning,

I have to unfortunately announce we will not have a season. I have tried (without success) to recruit more players but we are at a standstill of 33 players. We did not get sufficient participation levels (60 persons) needed to make the season viable. There were only 33 registrants and their league fees will be returned shortly.

The conversations I have had around recruitment are primarily regarding hesitation around Covid protocols and not being physically prepared for the rigors of a season.

The plan going forward will be to have some open gyms starting this spring to see if the interest levels have increased. Those updates will be shared through our social media so please pay attention to this space for the most up to date information.

There is a need for new leadership after the summer since I will be unable to continue to run the league. If you are interested in see how you can keep the league in action please reach out and let us know.

Thank you to those who registered. This season did not work itself out but I will put as much time and energy as humanly possible to make sure we get back on the court.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

Thank you

Michael Richardson

02/08/2022

In the words of Bon Jovi.

We are halfway there. 30 registrants to date. Thank you to those who have signed up and for those who have not....what are you waiting for?

02/07/2022

Good afternoon all,

As previously shared there has been some interest in if and when the next season will kick-off. As previously stated there are some complications including but not limited to facility logistics and pandemic concerns. I am pleased to announce a plan has been constructed to get something going. Royce Covington helped me work through the planning.

We need 60 players to facilitate a successful season. We currently have 27 registered players. I have extended the registration deadline and we unfortunately will have to push the start date. If we do not get enough participation levels we will have to postpone or cancel the season so get your friends to signup if they are interested.

The plan is as follows :We have been informed of a potential conflict due to staffing for the facility and time) PLEASE BE PATIENT AS WE WORK THROUGH THE DETAILS

Location: Broadway Armory

Date: Saturdays

Time: 5:30PM - 7:30PM

Duration: 5 week sessions which can renew

Logistics:

Players register via league pass for 5 week season. The season will consist of open gym/team format hybrid.

Two divisions - Minimum registration numbers for this to work would be 21-24 players per division.

Each week teams will be formed (with parity at forefront) with 8 players. Each player who gets a reversible jersey who registers for the league pass.

Games will be four 8 minute quarters with officials.

Cost: $55 for league pass ($13 for non league pass per week)

Registration has been open since last week.

This format allows for an opportunity to continue playing in a formalized way.

PLEASE BE PATIENT AS I WORK THROUGH THE DETAILS

If you have an interest in supporting my leadership in anyway for this undertaking your volunteerism would be appreciated.

If there are questions please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

Thank you

Michael Richardson

01/29/2022

Good morning ballers

Registration is now open for the season.

We are still firming up the location and confirming the time but we are definitely getting this moving forward.

See you all soon.

01/14/2022

Good morning all,

There has been some interest in if and when the next season will kick-off. As previously stated there are some complications including but not limited to facility logistics and pandemic concerns. I am pleased to announce a plan has been constructed to get something going. Royce Covington helped me work through the planning.

The plan is as follows:

Location: Broadway Armory

Date: Saturdays

Time: 5:30PM - 7:30PM

Duration: 5 week sessions which can renew

Logistics:

Players register via league pass for 5 week season. The season will consist of open gym/team format hybrid.

Two divisions - Minimum registration numbers for this to work would be 21-24 players per division.

Each week teams will be formed (with parity at forefront) with 8 players. Each player who gets a reversible jersey who registers for the league pass.

Games will be four 8 minute quarters with officials.

Cost: $55 for league pass ($13 for non league pass per week)

Registration will open sometime next week for a start in the middle of February. I have to finalize the facility contract, confirm officials and jersey options.

This format allows for an opportunity to continue playing in a formalized way.

If there are questions please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].

Thank you

Michael Richardson

12/14/2021

Good morning ballers

We are at a decision making point for the upcoming season.

There are multiple factors being considered.

FACILITY

First the facility we have been using has limited our access to two hours only on Saturday evening from 5:30PM - 7:30PM. I have tried to expand this time, suggested earlier times and even alternative days. We are currently making no ground up for this.

I have been reaching out for the last two months to previous facilities we have used along with alternative gyms without success. I have engaged with the main office of the Chicago Park District to try and find other options with access to two gyms to use simultaneously.

LEAGUE ENGAGEMENT

Over the last few months I have sent out multiple surveys to ascertain interest in the upcoming season with limited engagement. Anecdotally I have had multiple persons reach out to me individually about the upcoming season but less response to the queries about interest.

This does not allow me sufficient planning and projection data to see if interest matches.

Conclusion

I have an interest in setting up a town hall in the next week or so to discuss options and based on the town hall I will make a decision that is best for the organizations and leagues well-being.

If you are interested in receiving an invitation to the town hall which will either be December 20th or December 27th please let me know via email [email protected] and let me know the day(s) which work best for you. The meeting will be no more than thirty minutes from 6:15PM to 6:45PM by EOB (5pm) Friday.

Thank you for your attention to this

Michael Richardson

08/18/2021

Hello ballers,

A survey has been sent to measure interest in the upcoming season and present some announcements. Please fill out the survey and encourage your friends so we can have a robust league again.

I know there is a lot of interest but want to have something measurable to start season.

09/16/2020

Good afternoon

Some of you may have noticed that there is a $10 courtesy credit you can use to participate in any future CMSA sport. We had a shortened season due to Cov-19 and missed out on what I am sure was an exciting playoffs. We thought it was fair.

Our upcoming season is in question but I thought this might be a good opportunity to hear from our players and try to strengthen our league. We are open to all ideas. One idea we are discussing is potentially pairing up with the Women's league and uniting with the ladies having their own presence in our league but still able to participate under one umbrella of leadership including equal representation on the board. I will discuss the benefits and thoughts behind this at a town hall next month.

Speaking of the Town Hall. I would like to have a league wide town hall where you can present questions, concerns and share ideas to help our community grow and strengthen. If we have over 20 participants interested (Hopefully we have a lot more) we will go ahead and schedule it. Please fill out the following doodle and let us know your availability. Majority rules. https://doodle.com/poll/xb7hc43ncragy4vd

Thank you for your patience while we have been trying to assess our next steps due the time of Covid. I hope you are all staying healthy mentally and physically.

Michael Richardson

Meeting to discuss league, upcoming season and future