Drew Baker Discovers His Club

From Courthouse President Drew Baker…

I was raised on the Western Christian high school campus, which meant I had unlimited access to a basketball court. Basketball was my favorite sport, so I played it as often as possible–organized teams, random pick-up times, and games of HORSE and knock-out. After I graduated high school, I got a job at the front desk at Courthouse and continued to play as much as I could. 

But by age 25, I already had three kids and a position with more responsibility and time commitments at Courthouse. My days of playing basketball were behind me. 

Or so I thought. 

As the world reopened in 2020, I was more anxious than ever to find ways to do stuff. I needed to make something happen. So I texted every friend I had (and even some basic strangers) and started a new group of older guys (mostly dads) who run the court at least two to three times a week. The group of thirty or so players has changed over time, but the game has been running consistently for almost four years. 

On that same group text thread, we half-jokingly confirm the next day’s game by saying,, “Ball Is Life.” 

Why do I tell you this? Even though I joke that the ball is life, the real value of this four-year experience has my community with my fellow players. Human connection is life. A study out of UC Berkeley states that “ social connection is so hard-wired into human behavior that it makes sense that our relationships (or lack thereof) significantly influence our well-being. In fact, connection and community can be just as important to physical and mental health as exercise and healthy eating.”

I’m a part of many small “clubs” within the larger Courthouse Club. I’m in an Old Dude Basketball Club, a Cycling Club, a Squash Club, a Weigh Lifting Club, and more. Wherever community exists and people are connecting, that is a Club, and it is immensely valuable. 

I’m most proud of one of the things we do here at Courthouse: We facilitate clubs, which are how people get and stay connected. 

If you need to discover your club, we can help. 

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Since 1977, Courthouse Club Fitness has been the home for simple and fun in Salem and Keizer. Our five health club locations serve thousands of individuals and families living all around the Willamette Valley, with high-quality, welcoming facilities and programs like pools, childcare, swimming lessons, strength equipment, sauna and steam rooms, jiu jitsu, coffee, and the widest selection of group exercise classes of any gym in the area.

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