Unity Wildcats Information and FAQs

Links to All Registration Forms

To join AAU: AAU Membership (Athlete Category: Youth Program, Added Benefit Membership ($14.00), Basketball-Girls, Club Name: Unity Wildcats, Club Number NIBWX66KA8).

2008 Forms to be COMPLETED and delivered to the Unity Wildcats upon registration:

16N Forms ("Word"); 16N Forms (".pdf") -- HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS

15-14-13-12 Forms ("Word"); 15-14-13-12 Forms (".pdf"); -- ALL OTHER AGE GROUPS

2008 Teams: The final number of teams we field in 2008 will depend on the number and types of players interested in trying out. It is our general plan to form three or four teams: one U16-U17 National team, a U15A team, a U14A and a U13 team. Regardless of our general plan, we may field only three teams or two teams if player personnel and interest dictate formation of fewer teams.

General Information

Primary Mission. The primary mission of the Unity Wildcats' Organization is to draw and recruit the best high school and junior high school players in Central New York for the purpose of assisting players in their efforts to play college basketball. The Unity Wildcats' first full class of college players graduated from high school in 2005. In the last four graduating classes, the number of former Wildcats' players that have gone on to play college basketball at the Division I (six), II (four) and III (eleven) levels is extensive.

Practice. We practice 1-2 times each week at sites in the Syracuse area. Players living within a 45-50 mile radius of Syracuse are expected to make every practice. Persistent failure to make practices without permission of the coaching staff will lead to reduced playing time and possible removal from the team. If you play a Spring varsity sport, you should carefully consider the commitment that the Wildcats' organization requires of its players and players' families.

Tournaments. Tournament play for our older teams will focus on a smaller number of local tournaments and more college showcase tournaments. The 16-17 National team will play in 5-6 college showcase tournaments and 4-5 local tournaments. Our younger age groups will play between 6-7 tournaments this season (24-28 games) and supplement their tournament schedule with weekend games when available. The 2008 U16-U17 team is coached by former All-CNY Player of the Year Katie Kramer (Oneida-UMBC-Lemoyne) and veteran AAU coach Terry Mannion. We have a number of candidates to coach the 15A, 14A and 13A teams and will confirm those positions some time in February -- coaches for each team will be posted before tryouts. As an organization, we demand focus, determination, commitment to defense and team ethic. We would rather win 26-25 than lose 60-54 with one player scoring 30 points. Our goal is to get our players as many situational repetitions and iterations as possible to better prepare them for their high school and college careers.

Participation Fee and Costs.The anticipated participation fee for 2008 U16-U17 National team will be approximately $650 per player. The anticipated participation fee for the 2008 U15, U14 & U13 will be approximately $500.00 ("participation fee" includes annual uniform, gym and tournament fees). In addition, some of the tournaments require overnight stays and the average cost per child for food and lodging at each tournament is $60.00-$80.00. Participants should anticipate additional cost for travel, meals and lodging. Beyond the financial cost, all parents should be aware that joining a Wildcats team is a serious time commitment for player and family. Do not try out for the Wildcats unless you love basketball and are prepared to make significant investments in time and effort in order to play.

Financial Assitance. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE TRULY IN NEED. No player should be discouraged from trying out because of the cost of playing. THE UNITY WILDCATS ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO OBTAIN SPONSORSHIP FOR PLAYERS WHO ARE TRULY IN NEED AND CANNOT AFFORD THE COST OF PLAYING. If you feel you are a person in need of financial assistance, contact Coach Mannion after tryouts to discuss possible alternative payment plans. ALL REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE CONFIDENTIAL.

History. The core of the Unity Wildcats began playing together more than eight years ago on the Holy Cross School team in the Syracuse Parochial League where they combined to win forty-two consecutive games without a loss (including six tournament championships). Over the past eight seasons, the Wildcats have added top players from around the Syracuse area, received sponsorship support from Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company and expanded to include a second team in 2002, a third team in 2003 & 2004, and a fourth team in 2005 & 2006. The U16N Wildcats’ teams combined record over the past eight seasons is 314-109 (more than thirty tournament championships) in the "A" division of Amateur Athletic Union (A.A.U.) sanctioned and local tournaments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How far and how often do the teams travel? The 2008 16-17 National team will travel to New York City, Philadelphia PA, Penn State PA, Richmond VA and Washington DC, though final schedules will not be completed until teams are fully formed. The younger team(s) will travel to some of the same tournaments but not all. All teams will compete in a number of "local" tournaments (e.g., Utica, Binghamton, Albany, Ithaca, Geneva, Rochester and/or Buffalo). If the coaching staff, in its sole discretion, feels that the 15A team has the team strength to compete well at the U15 Junior Nationals level, the 15A will travel to Washington, DC for Junior Nationals in late July. Some trips will require overnight stays of one or two nights depending on tournament scheduling (i.e., an 8:00am Saturday morning game may mean travel and stay over on Friday night as well as Saturday night). Any trips to Albany, Buffalo and Rochester will likely require an overnight stay. The balance of the local tournaments are within travel distance of Syracuse and players usually return home each evening. See our "Schedules" page for all team schedules. We shall also try to supplement our tournament schedule with “friendlies” against local teams when possible.

When, where and how often do the teams practice? Each team will practice once each week and sometimes twice. Practices are an hour and a half and will be held on either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday nights between 5:30pm and 9:30pm depending on gym availability. We expect to be practicing at gymnasiums in Syracuse and Dewitt. Set times and locations will be determined no later than the beginning of March.

How are age limitations determined? How do I know if my daughter is too old or too young to play with the Wildcats? If your daughter was born in 1991 or 1992, she is eligible for the 16 National teams. If your daughter was born in 1992 or 1993, she is eligible for the 15A team. If your daughter was born in 1993 or 1994 she is eligible for the 14A team. If your daughter was born in 1994 or 1995, she is eligible for the 13A team. Placement on a team is not strictly tied to age but depends on a number of factors, including skill level, numbers trying out for each team and team needs/balance.

Does my daughter really have a chance to make the team or are the players already chosen? The tryouts for 13A-14A-15A teams are wide open. The roster for the 16 National Elite team is close to full but we expect to have one or two roster spots open for talented players. Every girl trying out will get a full/fair evaluation with a real chance to make the team based on ability and attitude.

Am I guaranteed equal playing time? Equal playing time over the course of the season is one of our goals. Though playing time is not always equal in each game/tournament, we attempt to balance playing time throughout the season. Situational playing time is determined based on a number of factors: practice ethic, game situation/matchups, attitude, dedication, etc. Our focus is on winning because the reality is that teams that win on the AAU circuit are far more likely to have players noticed by college coaches. Losses hurt every player on the team.