As minor-league sports organizations nationwide crumble under economic pressure, Ozzie Denson knows he needs to do something different to survive.

The head basketball coach at Selwyn also is the founder and commissioner of the United Basketball League, a five-team semipro organization that includes franchises in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.

Denson knows that keeping costs low is essential, which is why he has adopted Selwyn’s unique gym as the part-time home court for the Texas Wranglers, for which he is the head coach.

He also knows that perception and community involvement are keys to building a fan base, especially at the minor-league level, which is why he expects his players to interact with spectators and engage in community projects in addition to playing well on the court.

“We try to meet and shake hands with every fan who comes. People get to meet these guys,” said Denson, whose team will play against Tulsa at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Selwyn.

It was a natural fit for the Wranglers to wind up at Selwyn because of Denson’s association with the school. But the relationship between the school and the team began prior to the regular season, when the Wranglers staged four fundraising exhibition games beginning in January.

Denson considers it part of the 2-year-old league’s obligation to stage exhibition games whenever possible because of the goodwill it establishes.

“Denton has been so supportive to us, and we started getting a good following,” said Denson, adding a couple of local sponsors have since jumped on board. “It really worked out great.”

The Wranglers have held home games this season at Selwyn, in addition to Strickland Middle School and Kitty Magee Arena at TWU. Some Wranglers games have involved doubleheaders with the Tulsa Tornadoes, a rival that has had trouble finding a permanent home gym in Oklahoma.

Denson said he would like for the team and the league to establish a more permanent home in Denton in the future.

“It’s always good PR to have people on campus,” said Adina Heller, development director at Selwyn. “Everyone who has come out to the games has really enjoyed themselves. We’re looking forward to bringing them back.”

The Selwyn gym, which seats about 400 spectators, has a unique carpeted floor that creates an unusual setting for a semipro game.

“The players really don’t see it as a problem,” Denson said. “They hate it for about the first 10 seconds. After that, it’s just a game.”

Heller said she could not recall another instance in which the school has hosted semipro or college games. Most of the UBL games there have drawn a decent crowd, she said.

As some semipro basketball leagues have developed a poor reputation because of administrative ineptitude or economic failure, Denson said the UBL and the Wranglers are determined not to make the same mistakes.

He cited the league’s stability, claiming all five franchises are committed to returning next season despite a troubling economic climate.

Meanwhile, Denson said the UBL has had multiple players move up to the NBA Development League or who have signed contracts overseas.

“We’re no joke. This is not a rec league,” Denson said. “We put on a good show and a good competitive game. People appreciate that.”

The UBL will finish up its season next month with a championship game at the Greenhill Sports Complex in Addison. In the meantime, the league’s Tulsa and Oklahoma franchises are scheduled to play July 5 at Strickland.

TODD JORGENSON can be reached at 940-566-6871. His e-mail address is tjorgenson@dentonrc.com.