best places for pick up basketball for UT grad student? (Austin: dorms, school)

[Vector Sum]

So I plan to be a grad student at UT this fall, but I'm getting started this summer with doing research with a professor. Thus, I don't have a UT ID card yet and can't access Gregory gym for free. I'm hesitant to pay ~$70 to use the gym for the next 1.5 months before school starts, especially since I only want to be playing 1-2 times per week

I heard theres some outdoor courts at UT, but I'm not so sure thats a good idea with the summer heat. Also, I think its near the dorms, and I prefer not to play ball with a bunch of freshmen 5 yrs younger than me. But I guess that'd be true at Gregory too, right? But its not a big issue, unless they're a bunch of punks.

Are there any other free options for pickup bball? Back from where I'm from, I got to play alot of good games at the city outdoor parks. But sometimes, you'd get these punks who can act rather psychotic. I want to avoid those kind of people as much as possible. But it was the best to play at the outdoor courts at my undergrad school. Thats where I found the most players at my level

As for my skill level, I guess I'm intermediate. I didn't start playing until a few years ago, towards the end of undergrad, so I haven't played in any organized leagues. All my experience is from pickup games. But I'm not so bad and inexperienced that I embarrass myself (most of the time at least). Also, I'm 5'7

[mark311]

Originally Posted by Vector Sum

So I plan to be a grad student at UT this fall, but I'm getting started this summer with doing research with a professor. Thus, I don't have a UT ID card yet and can't access Gregory gym for free. I'm hesitant to pay ~$70 to use the gym for the next 1.5 months before school starts, especially since I only want to be playing 1-2 times per week

Gregory Gym would be best for everything that you've described including your height. Have you checked with an administrator at UT for the department where you'll be working to see if they can get you a temporary 0 hour appointment for the summer so you can use the gym, library, etc. as a student? It's worth a try if you haven't. The worst that they could say is no.

[h886]

The majority of students at UT are undergrads, so I think you may have to get used to this idea. Another thought is to contact people in your department or other grad students in mass. Become the organizer for a weekly game.

[Trainwreck20]

There are a variety of city courts/parks you can play at, but I can't tell you the good vs bad anymore, since it has been some years since I was playing regularly. Also, where will you be living?

Finally, check with the parks and recreation dept, you can pay to play on a team - indoor, air conditioned, and organized by skill level:
City of Austin - Parks and Recreation Department
and
http://capitalcitybasketball.com/

[Vector Sum]

Originally Posted by mark311

Gregory Gym would be best for everything that you've described including your height. Have you checked with an administrator at UT for the department where you'll be working to see if they can get you a temporary 0 hour appointment for the summer so you can use the gym, library, etc. as a student? It's worth a try if you haven't. The worst that they could say is no.

Well I'm working for the prof as a volunteer, not as an RA. The temp 0 hour appointment is a good idea, but the administrator won't come back until next week.

BTW, I live just north of Hyde park

[JL]

Is Anna Hiss Gym still around? I remember when Gregory gym was too crowded, i would go to Anna Hiss gym to play.

[bmc1973]

I've always had good games at Adams-Hemphill Park on 30th st, near the Crown and Anchor. Typically nice folks play there, but decent competition.

[Trainwreck20]

Is Anna Hiss Gym still around? I remember when Gregory gym was too crowded, i would go to Anna Hiss gym to play.

No, that is the building that got converted to classrooms, I think, but they kept the swimming pool due to it being the only truly handicap accessible pool on campus. AH was almost never crowded, but it did seem to have limited hours for use, although that has been many decades back now.....

Technically, the use requirements for AH and Gregory would be the same, but you could almost always sneak a friend in to AH since there was no permanent staff at the door most of the time .

Hmm..found this on the UT web site:

In 1994, after almost five years of planning and debate, the natatorium wing of Anna Hiss Gymnasium was demolished to make way for what is now the Louise and James Robert Moffett Molecular Biology Building. The current facility continues to provide a half-court basketball gymnasia, multipurpose/aerobic rooms and a dance studio.

Btw, I had to go look up 'natatorium', which apparently means 'indoor swimming pool'. So I guess they got rid of the pool after all...

[JL]

Yeah, the pool was interesting. The design of the gym was definitely different. I guess it was built over 50-60 yrs ago? I remember wanting to check out the pool back then while i was playing basketball upstairs during the late 80s. I wanted to check out the pool. While on the way there, i heard what sounded like girls talking and laughing. As i walked the narrow hallway, i actually passed the women's locker room, shower, etc. I couldn't believe that there was no door to close that off. I think i embarrassed myself and a few of the college gals as some of them were naked. I realized later on that this used to be an all girls gym back in the day, so no door was constructed i guess.

[Danbo1957]

West Endfield Park, bring your best game though.