Getting on the court at Bear Down Gym can be difficult these days with intramural games being held there almost nightly. Recently, however, an ASUA senator turned the task into child's play.

Gahl Leddel founded a boys and girls basketball league for fifth- through eighth-graders from area schools that meets and plays regularly at Bear Down Gym. The league, which involves about 100 children, mostly underprivileged, began play Feb. 3.

Leddel has taken a great deal of pride in the program throughout the development and planning stages, and especially now that it has gotten off the ground.

"This is something tangible I could do that I couldn't have done without student government," Leddel said.

The purpose of the program, Leddel said, is to bring the youth of the community into a university setting so that they may experience college life and learn from older students who have been disciplined and successful enough to get into college.

"You have to get good grades to play basketball so it gives kids incentive to stay in school and get good grades," said 13-year-old Katie Chester, a league participant.

The program also provides an opportunity for student involvement. Leddel said the league is run entirely by volunteers from the University of Arizona.

Even UA administrators have gotten involved. Saturday, UA Athletic Director Jim Livengood spoke to about 150 people in the Arizona Ballroom about the importance of going to college, Leddel said. The speech was both inspirational and motivational for students, he said.

Later that day, students participated in a leadership training seminar held by the Undergraduate Senate.

Leddel said he is hopeful the league will not be simply a flash in the pan, and Mary O'Mahoney, campus recreation program coordinator, is already looking into the prospect of it being offered again next year.

For now, however, most of the children's eyes are on the league's championships, which will be held March 3 at Bear Down Gym.

Funding for the league comes from ASUA, Tucson Conquistadors Inc. and many other local businesses.