Senior John Gaulke is not one of those students who sits at home doing homework or watching television on Sunday nights.

Instead, Gaulke spends the last night of his weekend at Hobbs Ice Arena, competing against fellow students, former Blugolds and community members in an adult hockey league.

It is common to see the arena alive with the competitive play of UW-Eau Claire students on Sunday nights. The majority of players in the City Park and Recreation Department’s adult league are current Eau Claire students.

According to John Bast, Hobbs’ assistant manager, the league is made up of 12 different teams from the Eau Claire area. The top six teams play in Div. A white and the bottom six play in Div. B. The teams play most games on Sunday nights, but also have a few Monday and Tuesday night games at 9 or 10 p.m. at Hobbs.

The league, due to popularity among college students and community members alike, has expanded within the past two years to fit the demand.

“We used to have eight teams,” Bast said. “The past two years have been a 12 team league because of interest in it.”

Although the league is co-ed, Bast said there is only one woman participating.

UW-Eau Claire head women’s hockey coach, Mike Collins, plays on the defending champion adult league team.

“I play because I enjoy it,” Collins said, “and because I still can.”

He also said a few former Blugold players compete.

Each team in the league plays 10 regular season games. The best teams then go on to compete in the championship on March 1 and 2.

Many of the 12 adult league teams are sponsored by local businesses.

Gaulke is the manager of the Labatt Lamplighters, which is sponsored by Labatt Blue and Brothers.

“Labatt donated the jerseys and Brother’s paid to have numbers put on them,” Gaulke said.

Brother’s also gives its team members discounts on beer certain nights of the week, in exchange for the Lamplighters’ advertising.

Other area businesses sponsoring teams include Boston’s Restaurant & Sports Bar, and Riverside Bike & Skate, which sponsors four separate teams. Double Days and Zacho Sports Center currently sponsor the first and second ranked teams in the league.

Some teams, such as The Playmakers, don’t have any sponsorship. Senior Jeremy Bartlett, manager of The Playmakers, said each player pays an individual fee and they all buy the same color jerseys.

Gaulke said teams average between 12 and 17 players. Some teams are made up of mostly older players, while others are all college students.

The free games also attract small crowds. Bast said turn-out on Sundays is usually 20 to 30 fans.

“Some of our friends come watch us play,” Gaulke said.

Bartlett agreed.

“A couple of friends will usually show up.”

Students play in the adult league for entertainment more than for serious competition.

“I like it because it’s fun just to skate, and all the kids on my team have been friends for awhile,” Gaulke said.

Although winning is nice, it’s not the reason for playing, Bartlett said.

“We’re having fun playing. It’d be nice to win more games, but that’s not the whole point.”