The Legend of Closed Gyms
It's been said that back in the late 80's-early 90's, a group of ten or more men would gather together in the name of basketball.
These men were asked to attend these "Open Gyms" because they :
1) were reliable
2) were competitive
3) would cause no arguments
4) loved to play
Because phone calls were placed to specific individuals on an invitation-only basis, a significant fact was brought to the operator's attention:
"Hey, these aren't Open Gyms," and thus the Closed Gyms were born.
These men were asked to attend these "Open Gyms" because they :
1) were reliable
2) were competitive
3) would cause no arguments
4) loved to play
Because phone calls were placed to specific individuals on an invitation-only basis, a significant fact was brought to the operator's attention:
"Hey, these aren't Open Gyms," and thus the Closed Gyms were born.
Closed Gyms Timeline
1990s: Invite-Only Pick Up Games Start Being Run by Kole Knueppel
Kole Knueppel is the godfather of Closed Gyms, although at the time they had no such name.
Kole would secure a gym or park and call his buddies one by one using a rotary phone.
Kole would secure a gym or park and call his buddies one by one using a rotary phone.
1998: Kon Knueppel Continues the Tradition
As a participant in these invite-only runs, Kon began to organize pick up games of his own.
He often called his guys over his lunch break from the friendly confines of his office at Harold S. Vincent H.S.
In those days he didn't need a contact list, as he called those numbers so much they were all memorized.
He often called his guys over his lunch break from the friendly confines of his office at Harold S. Vincent H.S.
In those days he didn't need a contact list, as he called those numbers so much they were all memorized.
2000: The Term "Closed Gyms" is Coined by Ben Spector
As a long time participant, Ben eventually pointed out the obvious. Read the "Legend of Closed Gyms" above.
2004: Chari and Kon Knueppel Start Closed Gym League (CGL) for Men
If Kole is the godfather of the original Closed Gyms, then Klint Knueppel is the godfather of CGL.
Klint brainstormed what was to become the "anti-rec league".
NBA-length games without rec league-level officials. CGL uses a draft format to foster league parity.
Klint brainstormed what was to become the "anti-rec league".
NBA-length games without rec league-level officials. CGL uses a draft format to foster league parity.
2016: Chari and Kon Knueppel Begin Closed Gyms 3-on-3
In the summer of 2016, players from Kindergarten through 8th grade were brought together just to play!
No coaching. No parents yelling. Just kids playing basketball.
No coaching. No parents yelling. Just kids playing basketball.
2016: Closed Gyms AAU Program
With 5 boys, Program Directors Kon and Chari Knueppel decided to start Closed Gyms AAU
as a way to keep their sanity and avoid the madness of typical travel team basketball.
as a way to keep their sanity and avoid the madness of typical travel team basketball.