It's time to bring that old jersey out of retirement and lace up the Air Jordans.

For more than 20 years the City of Cape Girardeau Parks & Recreation Department has hosted a number of sport leagues, including a men's basketball league.

The league starts Jan. 3 and lasts until late March. However, the team registration deadline is Dec. 8.

The league has five divisions based on the team's competitive level.

"The most competitive level is Division 1," recreation coordinator Tony Weatherby said. "This division is generally made up of former college players and very good high school players. It is usually a cleaner game to watch than the lower divisions."

This is Weatherby's first year in charge of the league, and he is already experiencing how hectic it can be to lead the league.

"For two and half months this league takes up the majority of your time," Weatherby said. "They play six days a week, so you are always dealing with issues, players, refs, etc."

Weatherby said there were more than 60 teams that participated in the league last season. Games will take place at the Osage Center, the A.C. Brase Arena Building and the Shawnee Park Center.

Garrett Ruppel, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, has participated in the men's basketball league as a player and as a referee.

Ruppel said that he looks forward to the games because they present another chance for him to get in the gym and play basketball.

"The past two years I've played in Division 2 and will probably stay in that division this year, or maybe move to Division 1," Ruppel said.

Divisions 4 and 5 are for players who are just looking to have fun. Ruppel has experienced these differing levels of competitiveness from playing and refereeing.

"Being a referee for these games is both fun and somewhat crazy," Ruppel said. "It's cool to referee basketball and be in the gym all the time, around the game. However, many of the players who participate are somewhat out of control, and the games have a tendency to get a little more intense than usual."

The league is open to anyone. According to Weatherby, numerous fans come out to support the league, most of them being family and friends of those playing.

"Mostly everyone that participates in the league enjoys it," Weatherby said.

Registration forms can be found at the A.C. Brase Arena Building, and there is a fee to participate.