The Dee Park Basketball League (DPBL) is an independent recreational league that has played in Des Plaines, Illinois since FEB 1998.
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The origins of the league are found amongst two different groups of friends. One is a group of five guys who worked at the Toys R Us (Store #6006) at the corner of Golf & Milwaukee (across from Golf Mill Shopping Center) in Niles, Illinois. Starting in 1990 they would play basketball at the Lattof YMCA (300 E. Northwest HWY) in Des Plaines, Illinois after work Saturday nights. This continued through the mid-1990s.
The second was a group that were involved with various Asian American student groups at UIC including Asian American Collegiate Organization (AACO), Organization of Asian Students (OAS), and Kalahi Filipino Club. They played in the Campus Recreation’s intramural basketball program from circa 1990-1996. One of people who was a part of both groups was Jason Marcus Waak. While in grad school at UIC he often would hear how many of his friends, now graduated, working, and off campus, missed playing organized ball through intramurals. Similarly, the TRU Crew, no longer working together, missed playing hoops together. With this Jason spent 1997 researching solutions. Individually or the group of five from TRU could have joined something like a Chicago Sports and Social Club league but he was convinced that between these two groups and beyond, he knew enough people interested to stand up an independent league.
Jason Marcus Waak - Dee Park Basketball League Founder & Commissioner
The TRU Crew had participated in rotisserie (now commonly called fantasy) basketball, baseball, and football leagues and Jason was adamant that this league would feature stats. By Fall 1997 the search for a location was in full swing with a possible Salvation Army church near Cumberland & Foster as a distinct possibility. Then Jason had a conversation with Dennis Silva who used Dee Park Friday nights for practice for his Philippine Basketball Association team. It seemed like a great fit, good access through major arteries like Golf Road, Milwaukee Avenue, Dempster Street, and the I-94 Expressway. The original rental time was 2030-2300 which permitted them to play ball and still head out clubbing (many of our original players were DJs and almost everyone had spent undergrad dancing at organizational parties from UIC, Loyola, DePaul, Northwestern, and NIU), to movies, or grabbing a late dinner at places like Hooter’s O’Hare, Omega Restaurant, Gene & Jude’s, Chicago Style Grill, Jack’s on Touhy, Ricobene’s, Greektown Gyros, or Seven Treasures in Chinatown. This meshed well with the nearly 24-hour pace of Chicago in the late 1990s. Operations began in FEB 1998 at Dee Park where an “all hands” open gym was held for the player pool to get to know each other and the captains to evaluate the talent. The initial draft was held in Room 816 Bravo located in UIC’s Single Student Residence (809 S. Damen). The scoreboard was hand crafted by Cathy Sioson in Student Center West also on the UIC campus. The first season ran FEB-APR the original four teams being the Bucks, Bulls, Cat Birds, and Condors. Among the captains were Dennis Silva, Mike McCarthy, Jason Waak, and Dean Manasses.
Legacy: From the start we have kept statistics. It was a priority for Founder Jason Marcus Waak from the beginning and set the league apart from the start. As time moved forward it became a part of the league legacy and we are proud that past players can show their family and friends their accomplishments at Dee Park.
90s Stadium Experience: Many of us grew up watching the NBA in the 1980s and 1990s. It was always hoped to deliver a game time experience reminiscent of this era. After years of consultation with DPBL alumnus and DJ Manny Rodriguez we were able to implement such a sound experience. Beginning circa 2018 Manny provided us with a soundboard edited to transport us to an NBA arena and in particular the United Center (Home of the Chicago Bulls) in the 1990s. The music, bumpers, and sound bites are designed to reflect the NBA at a time many of our players feel was the apex for both the league and the City of Chicago (Six world championships). If you ever wonder why Crush’s Jellyhead Motiv 8’s Pumphouse Remix is used during shoot around it is because, one, we only play House Music and EDM during warm ups (We are in Chicago, House Music All Life Long), and two, several league originals we Milwaukee Bucks season ticket holders 1996-1999 and this was regularly used during pre-game workouts.
Healthy Lifestyle: We encourage a healthy lifestyle and look to Friday nights as a chance to supplement one’s workouts with a fun alternative to walking, running, lifting etc. Everyone pays a league fee, everyone should play. That said we are a meritocracy. We encourage players to work on their game and endurance. With better fitness and skills, you become a greater asset to your team. We strive to provide a forum whereby you can challenge yourself to become a better individual for yourself and your family by increasing your fitness and health levels in a competitive yet supportive environment. In line with this philosophy, we strenuously object to the use of alcohol or drugs (including marijuana) either at the gym or prior to player arrival. Please be cognizant of maintaining a family-friendly environment while at Dee Park. It is much appreciated by the league and Golf Maine Park District.
Community: The foundation of the league was based on a group of friends and acquaintances who wanted to play competitive basketball in their post collegiate era. The ethos of the league as described by Commissioner Jason Marcus Waak in every interview with potential player candidates is, “We are competitive but at the end of the night we go out for wings together.” We want to be a place where everyone can find a place to play. We want to be a place where you can develop your game as well as be a spot where more seasoned and skilled players can thrive. Part of building the community is found in the fact that the expectation is that players are aboard for the full two hours, for both games. They two teams that are not playing provide “game time duties” which are keeping stats, spotting for stat keepers, running the scoreboard and soundboard, and officiating. It is in these off-court moments that players get to know one another. We also encourage families (Wives/Husbands, GFs/BFs, other family and friends, and children) to come out and cheer their player on. Over the years countless kids have played together in the ante room, they invite each other to their kid’s parties, and the adults get better acquainted. Similarly, we encourage the Dee Park Basketball Post Game Show/Meal. Over the years this includes places like Omega, Chilis, Hooter’s O’Hare, Chasers, Ricobene’s, Duk’s, and Seven Treasures (RIP, former late night Chinatown haunt). Here we share meals, discuss the evening’s games, and plan for future competition. Other post-game activities have included clubbing or movies. It is in these moments that friendships have been grown and we are pleased that the DPBL has been the foundation and fertilizer of so many wonderful friendships. We wear a team color and not an official jersey in encourage players to be able to wear their favorite jerseys which is jokingly about half the reason why Jason Marcus Waak continues to run and play in the league. Finally, the league is a great representation of Chicagoland. We have players from all parts of Chicago and the suburbs (some have commuted from Rockford and Milwaukee). Many friendships have come to fruition that if not for this league may never have materialized. The people are the key to what has kept the league in operation. There is no outside recruitment. Everyone who joins has been recommended and invited by someone from the league. Thank you for all those who have spent/spend their Friday nights with us. You are what makes us not just a league but a community.