Sundays are notoriously one long panic-ridden cram session. Other times, Sundays are a safe haven from the headache called homework, synonymous with wearing pajamas until 3 p.m. But during the early spring months in Naperville, Sundays are considered a chance to showcase your true athleticism, will power and, most of all, baller status.

Gaining popularity at an alarming rate, the legendary tales of “Y Ball Sunday” have forever changed the lives of Naperville teens.

In the early 20th century, Naperville was a growing town in need of a location for its young men to unwind. While Naperville was considered too small of a town to have a YMCA, the citizens demanded a recreational center. Finally, a representative from the Chicago YMCA came to Naperville to consider the construction of a complex, according to the YMCA official website.

Naperville created a committee assigned to get the ball rolling in the community. This group contained some of Naperville’s well-known businessmen at the time, such as Peter Kroehler, A.H. Beidelman and W.W. Spiegler. Kroehler figured that selling memberships at $5 each would help gain back the money spent on building the complex. On June 22, 1909, the first YMCA Fund Drive was officially opened. It lasted for 15 days, raising a total of $26,260, harvesting huge support from the community, according to the website. Two years later, the building was completed and open for business.

Fast forward to 2000, and Naperville has a similar problem. The community was in need of facilities to house youth and adult sport leagues. Through multiple drafts and ideas, the Y Sports Complex was built and became the focal point of youth activities. This facility was complete with scoreboards on every court, a fitness center located on the second floor and bleachers to watch friends and family participate in various activities.

Now, current day Y Ball has become an increasingly popular activity among students at Naperville North and other high schools in the area. Matt Malan, a junior at NNHS and a member of “Team Ferryman,” was unable to get the championship win they were hoping for this past Sunday, March 13, but said he still believes Y Ball is better than any other league.  

“Y Ball allows you to create a bond with your team without the stressful tournament feel of an AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] league. You see each other every weekend, and even go out to lunch after,” Malan said.

Grant Ericksen, a junior at NNHS and teammate of Malan, said he is already looking forward to next spring.  

“We’re going to win a championship next season, no questions about it,” Ericksen said. “We didn’t get it this year, but we’ll be back next season, and that’s the beauty of Y Ball.”