NCSAA Basketball Championships - Division 1 and Elite

Thursday, March 10, 2011 - Saturday, March 12, 2011

This tournament is for very high-level or nationally competitive Christian and private school teams.

Varsity teams whose high schools have 300 or more students in grades 9-12 must compete in this tournament (as opposed to our Division 2 and 3 tournament the previous week), and smaller schools who play an elite-level or nationally-competitive schedule will find this tournament a better fit than Division 2 and 3.

Boys' teams with post-graduate players (players who have already graduated from high school), fifth-year seniors (players who are past their fourth year of high school), or reclassified players on their rosters must compete in the Elite (Post-Grad) Division.

SPECIAL NOTE (re: SAT Testing) -- If your team has players that need to take the SAT on March 12, there are two SAT Test Centers in Erie, PA.  One is at Cathedral Prep School (test center code 39252), and the other is at McDowell High School (test center code 39254).  We are planning to coordinate the tournament schedule as well as possible to accommodate teams that will have players taking the SAT that day in town.  If you will have players taking the SAT on March 12, please let us know ASAP -- so that we can be aware of that before we plan Saturday's schedule.

Date:  March 10-12, 2011

Registration Deadline:

The 2011 NCSAA Division 1 and Elite Basketball Championships is open to girls' varsity basketball, boys' varsity basketball, and boys' elite (post-graduate) basketball teams.  Teams from any region of the country are welcome to attend.

This tournament will be limited to a maximum of 24 boys' varsity basketball teams, 16 girls' varsity basketball teams, and 16 boys' elite (post-graduate) basketball teams.  Register soon in order to be sure to claim a spot!

The final registration deadline is February 28, 2011. At this time we will close registration to begin making the brackets and schedule for the tournament.

Tournament Format:

• This tournament will be limited to a maximum of 24 boys' varsity basketball teams, 16 girls' varsity basketball teams, and 16 boys' elite (post-graduate) basketball teams -- which will compete in as many as three boys' varsity, three girls' varsity, and two elite (post-grad) divisions.
• Teams will be placed into divisions (Division 1, 1A, etc) based on the results of pool play or Opening Round match-up games, or based on pre-tournament seeding (depending upon the total number of teams registered).  We put a lot of work into making sure your team will be placed in a fitting division where you will have a good competitive experience; that commitment is one of the distinctives of our tournaments.  If you have any question about divisional breakdown, please feel free to contact us with your questions.
• Homeschool teams are welcome to participate, as long as their players meet our eligibility requirements.  (1 - All players must be regular members of your team during the season.  2 - High school graduates are not permitted to participate with your team, in order to qualify for the varsity divisions.  3 - All team members must be homeschooled or not a member of any other school basketball team, or other currently-running club, elite, or post-graduate basketball team.)  If you are a homeschool team that is interested in participating, please be sure that your players meet these requirements.  Feel free to call for clarification, if necessary.
• In the event that we need some extra teams to fill final spots in the tournament, we also may be willing to include some club teams in the tournament.  The priority is to allow high school varsity (or school-based post-graduate teams) to register first, and to allow club teams only as necessary to fill the divisions and create a quality tournament.
• Athlete Eligibility Rules:
  • Boys and girls in grades 8-12 are eligible to compete in the varsity divisions.  You may obtain a waiver (verbal approval) for 7th grade athletes to participate, if necessary, by contacting NCSAA in advance of the tournament.
  • Boys' teams with post-graduate players (players who have already graduated from high school), fifth-year seniors (players who are past their fourth year of high school), or reclassified players on their rosters must compete in the Elite (Post-Grad) Division.
  • Maximum Age Limit (post-graduate division):  If any player has turned age 21 before August 1, 2010, that player will not be eligible to compete in this tournament.  NCSAA may require proof of birthdate for any player, if deemed necessary.  Please have proof of birthdate (birth certificate, driver's license or other state-issued or federal-issued identification, etc) available for all of your players who attend the tournament.
  • All players who compete for your team must be regular members of your team during the current season.
  • No player can compete for your team if he / she is a member of any other school's basketball team, or any other currently-running post-graduate basketball team (or homeschool team, etc).
  • For clarification regarding player eligibility rules (or for specific clarification regarding the eligibility of any of your players), please contact NCSAA.

Tournament Features and Information:

Tournament Description:

• The NCSAA Division 1 and Elite Basketball Championships offers an exciting post-season championship tournament experience -- in a Christ-centered environment -- for your basketball teams.  Highly-organized and hosted at excellent facilities, this event allows teams an opportunity to finish their seasons with the challenge and reward of a competitive post-season tournament -- and also provides significant opportunity for your players to gain exposure to college coaches and recruiters.

Tournament Format:

• This tournament is open to Christian and private schools from any region of the country. The tournament will be limited to a maximum of 24 boys' varsity basketball teams, 16 girls' varsity basketball teams, and 16 boys' elite (post-graduate) basketball teams -- which will compete in as many as three boys' varsity, two girls' varsity, and two elite (post-grad) divisions.
• Boys and girls in grades 8-12 are eligible to compete in the varsity divisions.  You may obtain a waiver (verbal approval) for 7th grade athletes to participate, if necessary, by contacting NCSAA in advance of the tournament.  Please see the Athlete Eligibility rules above for more details about player eligibility and post-graduate division rules.
• Each team will play three or four games during the tournament.  If you have any concern regarding the number of games your team might play, please give us a call.
• A special evening of basketball skills contests (Point Guard Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk Contest) will be held on Friday night.

Closing Ceremony and Awards:

• All participating teams will be recognized during each division's closing ceremony.  Varsity division closing ceremonies will also include a special time of recognition and prayer for each team's senior athletes.
• Awards will be presented to the 1st and 2nd place teams in each division.
• A number of players from each team will be named to an All-Tournament Team and will be presented with specially-designed NCSAA All-Tournament Team patches to recognize their selection to this team.  Each varsity team will also have the opportunity to nominate players for consideration for the annual NCSAA Super-Regional and All-American Teams.

Christ-Centered Environment and Team-Building Opportunities:

• We provide a consistent spiritual challenge for your athletes throughout the event -- from the devotional challenges at the Opening Program and the Friday evening skills contests, to the unique Scripture reading and devotional booklet provided to all of your athletes for their use during each day of the event, to the ministry and outreach opportunities presented (as part of the NCSAA Hearts and Minds Project) to your team during the event, to the unified time of team prayer for senior athletes at the Closing Ceremony.  This NCSAA event is distinctive in its goal of being more than just an athletic event; we desire that your players deepen their relationships with God and their teammates during their time here!
• Various Christian colleges and universities will be present at the tournament to interact with the student-athletes.  This will provide your student-athletes with an opportunity to learn more about a variety of Christian colleges (many of which have committed to supporting your schools as NCSAA Christian College Sponsors during the year).  Teams that attend our tournaments have remarked that this feature has been very valuable, as the event doubles as an opportunity to expose your athletes to the value of and options for Christian education beyond high school.

Beneficial Exposure for Your Athletes:

• Each team's top athletes will be recognized in the "Players to Watch" section of the booklet given to all college coaches who attend the event (as well as many college coaches that request these materials after the tournament). This opportunity presents your players with a great chance to be seen by college coaches, scouts, and recruiters.
• Select games from the tournament may be broadcast live (via iHigh.com, and/or via audio broadcast on the NCSAA web site).  College coaches are able to follow these games online, providing additional recruiting exposure for top teams and athletes -- and parents and fans are able to hear their teams play!

Location:

Family First Sports Park
8155 Oliver Road
Erie, PA  16509

Family First Sports Park houses four (4) regulation high school and college hardwood basketball courts at its facility in Erie, PA.  The 80-acre property also includes sixteen outdoor soccer fields, two indoor soccer fields, numerous indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a Fun Center (with various winter attractions -- miniature golf, arcade, inflatables, and more), Golf Dome, and a variety of other activities -- so you'll have plenty to do while you're at the tournament!

Check out details about the Park via the links below:

• Family First Sports Park - Facility Tour
• Housing and Conference Center
• Family First Fun Center
• Directions to the Park...and Area Attractions

Team Registration Fee (per team, per event):

$400 for NCSAA member schools
$475 for non-member schools

Your registration fee is non-refundable, except in the event of the cancellation of the tournament.

Ask about our new Team Sponsorship Program, if you'd like more information about how your team can find a sponsor to cover your registration and/or athlete fees for the tournament.  We'd be happy to send you some information on this new money-saving resource!

All teams are expected to pay their full registration fees by the registration deadline date.  Any exceptions to this rule must be discussed with and approved by NCSAA.  If you have any questions regarding this procedure (or if you are already late with your payment), please contact us ASAP.

Individual Athlete Fee:

$25 per athlete (NCSAA member schools), $30 per athlete (non-member schools)

This fee covers:

• Tournament Fees -- Provision of all tournament activities and services to the athlete
• Family Admission -- The gate fee (for all three days of the tournament) is waived for the families of all participating athletes.

Individual athlete fees are due upon your arrival at the tournament. (Most schools have their athletes contribute to cover this fee, as it covers families' admission and other player expenses.)  If you have any questions regarding these fees, please contact us ASAP.

Ask about our new Team Sponsorship Program, if you'd like more information about how your team can find a sponsor to cover your registration and/or athlete fees for the tournament.  We'd be happy to send you some information on this new money-saving resource!

Withdrawals:

We understand that occasionally there may be reason for a team to withdraw from a tournament, after having already registered. If any team must withdraw after already registering for the tournament, that team still will be expected to honor its commitment to pay the full team registration fees. Also, if you withdraw one week or less before the tournament, you will also be expected to pay the indivudal athlete fees (for each player listed on your roster).  NCSAA must budget based on the number of registered teams, and all fees for all registered spots are critical in order to plan for and conduct a successful tournament. Please make your plans ahead of time, in awareness of this rule; and thanks for your understanding of this!

Lodging and Meals Fees:

All teams are required to use one of the following options for their lodging and meals during the tournament (with the exception of local teams that will commute to the park from home each day).

NCSAA requires that teams make their lodging arrangements through FFSP; this agreement with the Park allows us to make the cost of facilities affordable for us -- and, thus, to keep the registration cost for all teams at an affordable level.  In the event that the Family First Housing and Conference Center fills, teams may then make their own lodging arrangements.  Any team that chooses to make its own lodging and meals arrangements elsewhere (before the time when the Housing and Conference Center fills) will still be required to pay Independent Lodging Arrangement fees (Option #2) listed below.

All teams must contact Family First Sports Park (814-866-5425, ext. 214 or 215) to make their lodging and meals arrangements.

Housing and Conference Center Option:  $80 per person

• This fee covers each person's lodging (at the Family First Sports Park Housing and Conference Center) for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights -- as well as meals for Thursday (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), Friday (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), and Saturday (breakfast only).
• This fee also provides each person with a 3-day pass to the Fun Center attractions.
• If you need to add on Saturday night lodging, you can do that for an extra $15 per person.   Please communicate this to the Park staff, when you make your reservations.
• Each team staying in the Housing Center is required to have its coaches staying on-site, as well.
• Space is the Housing Center is limited, so be sure to call soon if you want to reserve rooms for your teams to stay on-site.
• You will pay Family First Sports Park directly for your housing and meals. You will not pay NCSAA for these costs.
• Visit the Family First Sports Park web site via this link for more information about the Housing and Conference Center.

Independent Lodging Arrangement Option:  $25 per athlete

• If you would rather make reservations at a hotel of your choosing (or if you have some other option for lodging), you may pay an extra $25-per-athlete fee to NCSAA (in addition to the standard Individual Athlete Fees), in lieu of selecting either Option #1 above.
• If you choose not to stay at the Family First Sports Park Housing and Conference Center (Option #1), you must pay this extra $25 fee.  (This fulfills the financial obligations of our agreement with Family First Sports Park, which allows us to keep the cost of facility rental low -- and, thus, to keep the registration cost for all teams at an affordable level.)
• This option does not provide you with any meals; you will be responsible for your own meals.
• This option does not provide you with any passes to the Fun Center attractions.  If you wish to use those attractions, you will need to pay separately.
• Erie hotels tend to fill quickly, so please be sure to make your decision soon if you are planning to select this option.
• If you use the Independent Lodging Arrangement, you must contact NCSAA (as soon as possible) to notify us of your decision…and make your payment of $25 per athlete directly to NCSAA.

Directions:

Family First Sports Park is located at 8155 Oliver Road, Erie, PA 16509.

From Pittsburgh and South:
Take I-79 North to Exit 178A (I-90 East, toward Buffalo). Follow to Exit 24 (Peach Street - old exit 6). Then turn right, and proceed to Oliver Road (at the next traffic light -- 0.4 miles). Turn right onto Oliver Road, and the Park will be on your left side (0.2 miles).

From Buffalo and East:
Take I-90 West to Exit 24 (Peach Street - old exit 6). Then turn left, and proceed to Oliver Road (at the next traffic light -- 0.4 miles). Turn right onto Oliver Road, and the Park will be on your left side (0.2 miles).

From Cleveland and West:
Take I-90 East to Exit 24 (Peach Street - old exit 6). Then turn right, and proceed to Oliver Road (at the next traffic light -- 0.4 miles). Turn right onto Oliver Road, and the Park will be on your left side (0.2 miles).

If you need further assistance with directions, please call 1-888-8GO-PARK.