FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

As you can see from this list, we received many questions about Fever basketball. Please take a few minutes to learn the details. And don't miss the Informational Meeting at the first tryout! Our staff will be there to answer ALL questions to help you make a decision for your player and family.

Answers

  • Who are the coaches?
     Last season Rocky Mountain Fever hired qualified coaches with character and excellent coaching ability. Most of them were current or past high school level coaches and some even had college coaching experience. In addition, we perform background checks on all our staff and coaches. Coaches of Rocky Mountain Fever teams are NOT parents of players on the team! Review the list of coaches involved in the 2011 Fever season as well as past coaches (2010 season and 2009 season).
  • If I didn't play in the program last year, do I still have a chance of making a team?
     Absolutely! New teams formed every year and we have numerous coaches observe tryouts so that they can provide input on who makes each team.
  • Can a player play up?
     Having a player ‘play up’ on an older team is a coaches decision. Numerous factors go into making this decision. Are their skills clearly that much better than those of their current age group and will they be a contributing member of the older team? Will the older team prove to be the most beneficial place for the player to play so that their skills continue to develop? These factors, along with others, are considered prior to inviting a player to ‘play up.’
  • What does the Fever team name mean? Numbers and Colors?
     As with other sports, teams are formed by age and we name our teams respectively. For example: 12U is for players that are 12 years old and under, most players on the team will be current 6th graders. 17U is for players that are 17 years old and under, most players on the team will be current juniors.

    If more than one team is formed in an age group then colors are used to distinguish the teams: the top team is Black, second team is Orange and third team is White.
  • Is equal play time guaranteed?
     It is difficult to 'guarantee' equal play time because the coach is busy coaching the game and at times may not always substitute players as well as they would like to.

    Elementary and Middle School Teams-It is likely that there will be as equal play time as possible especially through the first three quarters of the game. In the final quarter the coach is encouraged to have the players in the game who will provide the best opportunity to finish the game competitively and win.

    High School Teams-Coaches are to ensure that every player receives play time in each game throughout a tournament. These are competitive high school teams designed to help players become better basketball players so equal time is not guaranteed. It is important to remember that learning and growth in basketball happens at practices, skill sessions, during individual workouts and games.
  • In June, I play with my high school team, will this be ok?
     High School Fever teams do NOT practice or play games during June. We support Fever player’s involvement with their high school team and look forward to everyone returning to their Fever team the last week of June.
  • What does it cost to play Fever?
     Costs for playing on a Fever team are calculated before each season based on tournaments played, travel costs (when applicable) and all the other costs involved. Here's some information about what is included in a Fever season.

    Costs vary by grade and travel schedule. The younger team fee is much lower than the high school teams. Younger teams (U10-U13) have a shorter season, no travel and uniforms of less cost. In 2010, summer teams for the youngest teams (10 and under in age) fee began at $375 for two tournaments and xx weeks of practicing. High school team costs include much of the travel expenses as well as more costly tournaments.

    Your investment to play on a Fever team includes numerous expenses associated with playing on a basketball team. If comparing basketball programs, With any competitive program, make sure you know what is included with the costs you hearing about from directors, coaches, parents or players. Also be sure to validated costs you here with the program itself as things change from year to year. At the Information Meeting at tryouts, we will cover the exact price and everything that is included with the fee.

    Fever investments includes: rental of practice facilities for one to two practices a week (High school teams will practice 10-12 weeks, middle and elementary teams practice 8-9 weeks); all tournament fees, Fever uniform & warm-up, Fever sport bag, Wave basketball, opportunity to play in many games (from 2-5 per tournament), skill sessions (position specific, fundamentals and shooting training in addition to practice), coaches compensation, admin fee and program insurance.

    For teams that travel out of state, Fever includes many of the travel costs: hotel for team & coach, transportation while out of state, team dinner, team parent, and snack allowance. For teams flying out of state, airfare for players and coach is included as well.

    Payments can be divided into 4 monthly amounts with final payments due mid June. Several fundraising opportunities will be offered, but not required. We also have a scholarship program.

    While your investment to play on a Fever team will likely be more than playing with a local team coached by someone’s neighbor, parent, or other relative – the benefits are tremendous!

    We encourage you to look through the Fever website to learn more about our directors, coaches, and see what Fever parents and players from last season had to say about their experience.

  • What is the schedule the team will play?
     Look on each age group's page (from the menu on the left). We are finalizing schedules and will post details as soon as we can. This will be available at tryouts.
  • What are MAYB tournaments?
     Mid American Youth Basketball (MAYB) is a major provider of tournaments throughout the United States. All of our teams will participate in MAYB tournaments. Most MAYB tournaments are Saturday and Sunday with an occasional Friday night. Learm more at MAYB website.
  • How much skill does my player need to have before trying out?
     Younger players will not be expected to have as much skill as older players. Coaches look for players with average to above average skills for their age group to form the first team (black). Players with some average and slightly below average skills are placed on second (orange) and third teams (white). Coaches also observe attitude and effort during tryouts and see potential in players prior to deciding which team will be the best fit for them.
  • Are there scholarships available?
     Thanks to generous donations from contributors during the year we are able to provide some partial scholarships. If interested, please complete the Scholarship Application which describes the two essays needed from parent and player. Applications are due at the last tryout! Scholarships are requested and evaluated BEFORE teams are selected. This is so that an invitation to join a team will include the status of your scholarship request.
  • Do you offer fundraising?
     Yes! Our fundraisers are focused on providing addition resources for the player. Fundraiser funds are not used for general Fever expenses. Each year we provide these types of fundraising options: pre-written sponsorship letters (for those persons or business who wish to donate monies, not buy products); selling products for a percentage of sales (which will be for local Northern Colorado products); and food related fundraisers (special nights at restaurants, coupons cards, etc.).

    In 2009, Fever players raised over $24,000 via their sponsorship letters efforts alone! This great accomplishment was achievable due to the player’s diligence in raising funds as well as the fact that RMYS/RM Fever is a non-profit and sponsorships are tax deductible as allowed by law.
  • My child's friend's parent is forming a team.
     There are many things to consider when picking a team. We encourage you to read everything on this FAQ webpage and the What to Look For webpage to guide you in questions to ask ANY program or team you are considering. Some things to consider: Rocky Mountain Fever is a complete program that carefully monitors its coaches and includes numerous services in addition to just playing on a team. Coaches are not parents of players on a team so this eliminates conflicts between the coach's child and the rest of the players. Rocky Mountain Fever teams are not formed so that someone can have a team to play on or because they weren’t happy with something (like play time) on another team.
  • How do you handle the "must have" player?
     All players attend a tryout session of some type. All players are required to make a financial investment; fees are never waived or discounted for “top” players. For ANY player in need of financial assistance there is a scholarship process where a Board (not current coaches) evaluate applications and essays without regard to player's ability.
  • Why does Fever have a staff AND coaches?
     At Fever, we want coaches to focus on coaching NOT the numerous administrative duties that are necessary to run a club basketball program. Often times, when coaches have to deal with administrative duties, they get frustrated and quit coaching club teams.

    If you were to have concerns about your team and/or coach, the staff is here to help. There are clear guidelines and procedures in place to make sure all concerns are heard and proactive steps taken to make any adjustments that may be necessary. Keep in mind that those adjustments may be on the part of the organization, coach, player and/or parent.
  • Why do Coaches pick Fever?
     We are proud to say that most of our coaches are returning! We listen to our coaches and have implemented many of the suggestions they provided at our post-season review. Coaches love the fact that they can focus on coaching and we take care of all the logistics. Fever focuses not only on developing players but also enriching the exceptional qualities already exemplified by our coaches. Coaches can then return to their middle or high school with more to offer to their program.
  • Why do Families pick Fever?
     From the feedback we received via after-season survey, families love our customer service and how we make it easy on the family to enjoy summer basketball. We received numerous comments about the value families felt they received for their investment. Many also commented on the fact that the investment was less than they paid to play on other club teams. Players liked the fact that attention was paid to every player on the team, there were no favorites and no politics playing on a Fever team! For players living in North Denver to Casper, Wyoming and all towns in between it was nice to be able to practice at locations in Northern Colorado! Go to our Testimonial page and hear directly from the parents and players.

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