Phoenix, AZ
Coaches' Information
Welcome to the 2009 Tournament of Champions. The following are important details concerning your participation.
Participation Fee
All participating schools must submit a $450 entry fee no later than September 16, 2009.
If mailing a check, please make payable to Tournament of Champions, Inc., 205 East Carrillo Street, Suite 215, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 and allow enough time for delivery by September 16.
To pay your fee online, go to My Billing.
Rosters
Rosters must be submitted online no later than Wednesday, December, 2. If you have already submitted your roster, you may edit it until December 2. If you have not already submitted your roster please do so as soon as possible.
Go to My Teams to edit an existing roster or create a new one.
Waivers of Liability
Once your roster has been finalized a waiver of liability will be sent to all rostered athletes. It is your responsibility to insure that all competing athletes have these waivers signed and returned to you.
You must bring the waivers to check-in (as outlined on the Coaches' Meeting page) in order to receive an event package and credentials. Players without legitimately signed waivers will under no circumstances be allowed to participate; no exceptions.
Credentials
No person will be admitted into any venue without proper credentials. Credentials will be issued only to those players and coaches included on your roster by the December 2 deadline.
All other persons, including parents, boosters, fans, statisticians, videographers, managers, etc. will be required to pay an admission fee, display a paid credential, and sit in a designated area. This is designed to provide strict segregation between athletes, fans, and visiting college coaches.
Please do not request extra player or coaches' credentials; they do not exist and will not be issued. For this reason it is critical to have your roster submitted and updated by December 2. Please do not complain to staff members if credentials are missing for players or coaches whom you failed to include on your roster; it is your responsibility to insure that all participants are listed.
Everyone entering a tournament facility must be wearing a credential, either issued or paid. Credentials are checked every 30 minutes at all venues. Fans and/or family members wearing coach or player credentials will be removed from the event and not permitted to return.
Water and Basketballs
All teams are responsible for bringing their own basketballs for warm up. A Nike basketball will be provided for most games; in the absence of a Nike ball the designated home team may select the ball used for competition. Because certain venues do not provide water on the benches, all teams should bring their own bottled drinking water.
Certified Athletic Trainers
A certified athletic trainer will be on duty at all times at all venues. Athletes who wish to be taped prior to games must provide their own training tape and pre-wrap and arrive at least one hour prior to the scheduled game time.
Game Rules
Teams should arrive not less than sixty minutes (60:00) prior to the scheduled start of each contest. Warm up time will vary depending on schedule, but will not be less than eight minutes (8:00). Coaches are responsible for insuring that athletes are adequately stretched and warm before taking the floor. There are multiple locations inside and outside all venues where this can be accomplished.
Games will be conducted according to National Federation of High School (NFHS) rules. Per Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) guidelines, no shot clocks will be employed.
Officials
Officials are certified professionals chosen for demonsrated ability. They have no interest in who wins your game or the tournament; they are concerned only with doing a professional job and remaining impartial. If your team plays poorly, do not convince yourself or your athletes that the officials wanted a certain outcome unfavorable to your team.
Sportsmanship, Professionalism, and Perspective
Most coaches bringing teams to the Nike Tournament of Champions are mature, veteran professionals with established high school teams. Very rarely we have participants who lack perspective and professionalism, and they demonstrate this by acting poorly or by treating our staff or other participants with disrespect. Here are a few obvious guidelines that will ensure your continued invitation and participation:
- Do not use profanity. Do not embarrass your players. Do not get thrown out of games.
- Do not complain about the officiating to site directors or staff members. Keep in mind that no one at your site assigned the officials and the officiating is completely beyond their control. Complaining will not achieve any positive result; conversely it makes your program appear weak.
- Do not complain about your schedule (i.e. who, when, or where you play) to site directors or staff members. They had no part in the scheduling of the event.
- Do not leave the tournament early because of poor planning or poor performance. This is the ultimate act of disrespect to your opponents and displays to your players either disorganization, a losing attitude, or both.
